Posted on 10/29/2016 4:04:17 PM PDT by OregonRancher
The A-10 Warthog was set for retirement in 2018, but now Air Force Material Command chief Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski has made it clear that the warplane, which is a critical resource in the fight against the Islamic State group, will continue to fly indefinitely.
Pawlikowski told Aviation Week, Our command, anyway, is approaching this as another airplane that we are sustaining indefinitely.
The depot line tasked with the maintenance of the A-10 was set to be brought back to full capacity for the 238 A-10s in the Air Force. Hill Air Force Base in Utah has taken care of most of the maintenance necessary for the A-10s and has begun to prepare for the increased capacity.
Just last year, the availability rate for the A-10 was increased from 63 percent to 68 percent, and the Air Force has noted, according to Aviation Week, that it hoped to improve on this number.
The A-10 has been instrumental in the fight against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria, as it is the only plane in use by the Air Force for the purpose of close-air support.
The iconic GAU-8 Avenger 30-millimeter gatling gun found at the nose of the aircraft and its low and slow flying capabilities have made it an invaluable resource for missions against ISIS, American Military News reported.
Some military officials and congressmen oppose the further maintenance of the A-10 because they want to use those funds for other programs.
For example, the F-35 program has been chronically delayed according to American Military News, which is a program to which some officials would like the funds for the A-10 diverted.
A modified existing turboprop plane or an entirely new aircraft that would be designed from the ground up were two other programs that those in opposition to the A-10 maintenance point to.
Many people will be glad to hear that the Warthog will remain in service, but no matter what, the most important thing is that our military has the tools to stay safe and keep America safe.
Awesome machine.
[A modified existing turboprop plane or an entirely new aircraft that would be designed from the ground up were two other programs that those in opposition to the A-10 maintenance point to. ]
Yeah a modified Cessna with machine guns under the wings or a multi-billion dollar program for a completely new aircraft.
I’ll take the A-10.
I love the A-10,,, A friggin flying tank. Why in the hell did they want to 86 it.... oh wait Muslim Brotherhood Agents.
Maybe one day I can hear it fart. When that thing farts hell rains down. I hope I am not in the cross hairs.
A-10 porn:
Awesome A-10 Thunderbolt II Brrrt Compilation - Happy Brrrt Day Special - YouTube
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NvIJvPj_pjE
I fail to understand why A-10s are not in use to prohibit all road travel between ISIS strongholds. Syrian countryside looks like a perfect shooting gallery.
I always presume that anyone in government always says the opposite of what they mean.
If they can keep the B-52 in service as long as they have, they can keep the warthog flying into perpetuity!
More practical heads have won the day.
In a way it would be nice for them to go on the surplus market. You could do some serious wild hog hunting with that puppy. Get the night vision going and bam! Wipe out a whole sounder.
It uses the same round as the GAU-8 used in the A10 Warthog. The 30×173 mm cartridge.
https://www.armytimes.com/articles/army-receives-first-stryker-upgraded-with-30mm-cannon
The 30×173 mm cartridge next to a 30-06
The A-10 Warthog. Long may it reign!
God bless America!!!
Those who tried to shelve the A-10 in order to benefit corporate interests are traitors.
You can’t improve on perfection.
There has never been a better close support plane ever — and there never will be.
YES!!!
Those who tried to shelve the A-10 in order to benefit corporate interests are traitors.
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Another argument for term limits.
Marko
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