Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Warthog Attack Plane Finds New Life in Trump Administration
US News & World Report ^ | May 27, 2017 | Robert Burns, National Security Writer, The Associated Press

Posted on 05/27/2017 6:25:58 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet

Air Force leaders have reversed an Obama administration decision on the A-10 attack plane known as the Warthog.

The previous administration had decided to retire the aircraft, viewing it as an unaffordable extra in what had been a time of tight budgets.

Three years ago the Pentagon proposed scrapping the Warthog fleet as a way of saving $3.5 billion. Congress rejected that idea. Each of the next two years the military tried again, putting off the Warthog's retirement a bit further in the future each time....

(Excerpt) Read more at usnews.com ...


TOPICS: Government; Military/Veterans; Politics
KEYWORDS: a10; airforce; aviation; brrrrrt; obama; trump
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 101-110 next last
To: VeniVidiVici

In 1991, I attended the public memorial for the airmen of Spirit 3 which was based at Hurlburt Field, Florida.


41 posted on 05/27/2017 7:51:51 PM PDT by yarddog (Romans 8:38-39, For I am persuaded.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

I thought this was already decided and a done deal. A10’s will continue to fly until 2027. The plane is getting new wings and has been under constant development for decades according Grumman.

The A10 cannot be replaced in certain roles and air power is moving back in the direction of FAC(A) and SCAR (strike coordinated armed reconnaissance). The only aircraft that even comes close is the OV10x but it’s experimental, limited, and lacks the firepower or survivability of the A10.


42 posted on 05/27/2017 7:57:02 PM PDT by drunknsage
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

“unaffordable extra”

Close-air support is an “extra”?

Sure - if you’re a pencil-pushing desk-jocky...


43 posted on 05/27/2017 8:01:21 PM PDT by jonno (Having an opinion is not the same as having the answer...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Robert A. Cook, PE
Interesting interpretation: Our previous Muslim administration would likely do exactly that. Void a weapon that is effective against the Muslims.

Especially effective against the large ISIS convoys.

44 posted on 05/27/2017 8:03:34 PM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: drunknsage

“...survivability...”

Can you say “Titanium Hull”? It’s in there...


45 posted on 05/27/2017 8:04:05 PM PDT by jonno (Having an opinion is not the same as having the answer...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: ClearCase_guy

I would think the next announcement is that the aircraft gets transferred to the Marines and Army, each getting a variant.


46 posted on 05/27/2017 8:15:31 PM PDT by RinaseaofDs (Truth, in a time of universal deceit, is courage)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: huldah1776

The Marines get very low (tree branches in the oil cooler/intake low) and press the attack repeatedly. It’s Marine aviation’s primary mission, and they integrate & practice constantly with the ground troops, Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF).


47 posted on 05/27/2017 8:16:41 PM PDT by nickedknack
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: DakotaGator

Back in time, I have watched the AF jets trying to lay in napalm at low altitude and slow. The pilot did it, but I could see him in the cockpit and he was working hard to keep the plane in the air and at the same time do the drop.


48 posted on 05/27/2017 8:18:55 PM PDT by Parmy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Lurkinanloomin

Navy and the Marines flew the Corsair. The Marines liked it better than the Navy, I believe. Was a bear to manage on/off the carrier.


49 posted on 05/27/2017 8:19:14 PM PDT by nickedknack
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

It is a 30 mm Gatling Gun with wings with a bullet proof titanium tub for the pilot to sit in so he can look back and laugh at the shredded metal and man burger it creates.


50 posted on 05/27/2017 8:26:16 PM PDT by katana (It still hasn't occurred to them that Trump doesn't give a s***)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: drunknsage
A picture of Dad with his two sons.


51 posted on 05/27/2017 8:34:38 PM PDT by UCANSEE2 (Lost my tagline on Flight MH370. Sorry for the inconvenience.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: yefragetuwrabrumuy

The Air Force is already working on this; swarms of drones controlled by manned aircraft in the area, or remotely, much like Reapers and Global Hawks.

On a related note, the USAF is also developing the “arsenal plane” concept. Behind the battle lines, a specially equipped C-17 or B-52 will launch scores of stand-off weapons, which will be guided to target by F-22s, F-35s, or modified legacy fighters.

And air-to-air lasers are on the horizon, too.


52 posted on 05/27/2017 8:59:37 PM PDT by ExNewsExSpook
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: Lurkinanloomin

My Dad was there and said you could pick up spent .50 cal cases from the Corsairs which were still uncomfortably warm to the touch.


53 posted on 05/27/2017 9:19:14 PM PDT by pa_dweller (President Donald Trump, President Donald Trump. Because I know you like seeing it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

Just when I think I can’t like DJT anymore, he surprises me again. Warthogs-go ugly, early.


54 posted on 05/27/2017 9:25:19 PM PDT by MattinNJ (I am optimistic about the USA for the first time in a decade)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: yarddog

Someone who worked in Aerospace claimed he knew of A-10’s in Vietnam that lost an engine (blown off) and still returned to base.

I imagine with drones to assist, they would be even more survivable. Someone attacking the A-10 would provide targets for the drones.


55 posted on 05/27/2017 9:27:08 PM PDT by topher (Traditional values -- especially family values -- which have been proven over time.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: AFreeBird

Contrary to the rumor mill, the Corsairs were not kicked off of the carriers due to ops issues, but due to the frequent changes which caused inventory problems. Note that there were really only two variants of the Hellcat (-3 & -5).


56 posted on 05/27/2017 9:29:34 PM PDT by chb
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: UCANSEE2
Not to pick nits, but here's the original Thunderbolt...


57 posted on 05/27/2017 9:34:29 PM PDT by Flag_This (Liberals are locusts.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: jonno

The A10 really is a masterpiece and speaks volumes to the skill of designers at Republic. They thought of everything.

Ive learned so much about this aircraft in 6 months of arguing with people on YouTube about the A10 and the CAS role. I had no idea Grumman was still in development. I have a strong feeling we will be seeing a replacement from them for this plane.

Most CAS is done by aircraft other than the A10 but seeing where we are going, it’s likely going to be scaled back in fleet numbers and used much more in limited roles. Combat air rescue, FAC(A), SCAR, CAS.

If anyone is interested I highly recommend reading up on Forward air Controllers and their missions in Vietnam. Also, SCAR is also worth reading up on. Seems that no matter how much tech pushes forward, military aviation continues to have to go back to older tactics.

Here’s a great vid on FAC in Vietnam

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JbytgZacouY&feature=youtu.be

These guys were some of the bravest and most balls out pilots Ive ever heard of. So much respect for them. An interesting note about A10 pilots, over half of their pilots maintain FAC qualifications, something unheard of outside their squadrons. Not sure about the marines.

And speaking of the marines, i really wish there were more documentaries on their exploits in WWII, especially when it comes to CAS. They used the the Grumman Avenger heavily in this role and it was a monster of a single engine plane that could take a serious beating. I always saw it as a torpedo bomber but the marines used it heavily in ground attack.


58 posted on 05/27/2017 9:42:12 PM PDT by drunknsage
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: huldah1776

how do the marines do it ?

90 days of living in the dirt with other grunts makes a flyboy appreciate ground pounders


59 posted on 05/27/2017 10:23:38 PM PDT by vooch (America First)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Flag_This

P47 was a beast. Have you seen the short film the US Military made at the end of WWII about the Thunderbolt?

https://youtu.be/yp3qijW71yE


60 posted on 05/27/2017 11:03:11 PM PDT by drunknsage
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 57 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 101-110 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson