Posted on 12/22/2016 11:25:10 AM PST by StormPrepper
Regarding reality, nobody in no airplane is going to be performing CAS inside an S300 or S400 threat ring. So that argument is irrelevant. Now, lets assume, for whatever reason, your intrepid USMC CAS asset is forced down into the weeds. Exactly what weapon do you expect him to employ? Dumb bombs? Guess again. 20mm against armor? Pointless. And if you plan on designated his laser guided stuff, that's fine, but have you actually tried that? If so, you know he's not going to be in the weeds when he releases them. And he will be miles away from you when the bombs come of his airplane.
This is going to trigger you again, but the more you say the more you prove my original contention. The strongest advocates of aircraft like the A-10 on threads like this are people who have little or no current knowledge about what they are talking about.
The real world definition that has been employed in combat for decades? The “close” in Close Air Support does not refer to the distance between the aircraft and the target.
Re: 46
Probably - yes. But there are a variety of viewpoints and perspectives that contribute to a discussion.
When there’s a discussion that requires CAS sorties be documented for one to comment, that would be very interesting to read. Until then, this is what we have on Free Republic, which works fairly well.
With some luck and some inspired leadership, the Army and the Marine Corps will have our own unmanned platforms delivering precision and scaled effects when and where we need it.
Now if and when you do find yourself "down in the weeds", cannon is a good call, since it is excellent against troops, particularly against troops in light cover and best of all it is linear and can be employed very close to us with little danger. Dumb bombs also work fine, as long as you are clear where the target is and you have had enough range time to actually hit things. You left out rockets - another nice, linear weapon with excellent effects. Just remember to eject over us if you can and we'll provide lunch when we come get you.
P.S., when you are computing my service time, add the 3 1/2 years between my first four years and the next 23 years: I had to heal up a while before I could resume service. Also add 14 years as a Technologist for a certain battle lab. Other than that, you are spot on.
Semper Fi, Snowflake 6 Actual
This may or may not ruin your day, but I am in complete agreement with you on the UAV thing. For a lot of reasons, they are the correct approach to a lot of ground attack missions. My money is on the Marine Corps developing a truly effective CAS network using UAVs as a FAC controlled airborne asset. I’ll even go so far as to say that some of the work you’ve been involved in might have laid the initial foundations for that ultimate goal. If it increases the speed and efficiency of supporting our troops in contact, I suspect we are both in violent agreement toward making it happen.
And by the way, I have always enjoyed working with the Air Force - both of my Uncles were fighter pilots in WWII (P-51s)
Semper Fi, Buddy
I appreciate the bar talk. Just like old times. Napkins flying... World's problems being solved.... And then out the door united in the pursuit of killing more bad guys! Merry Christmas and thanks for a career of great service.
So... its OLD news! The A-10 will remain within the USAF inventory, NO MATTER McSlimes attempts to get rid of it!
http://www.businessinsider.com/air-force-keep-a10-indefinitely-2016-10
that machine gun, actually a type of Gatling cannon, is about as big as the plane. An airplane wrapped around a really big gun. Some good pics here:
Thank you for your dedication to our country and fellow servicemen and women. You’re right: between us and a whole bunch more of our current crop of combat veterans, we can develop the next generation of capabilities. Let’s get to it!
Stay safe and Merry Christmas to you and your family.
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.