A-10 pods help track bad guys, protect friendly forces

Air Force Link ^ | June 5, 2004 | Master Sgt. Andrew Gates

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

 

A-10 pods help track bad guys, protect friendly forces

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan -- Capt. Keith Wolak checks the Litening precision targeting pod on his A-10 Thunderbolt II before flying a mission from here. He is an A-10 pilot assigned to the 355th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Andrew Gates)

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• Litening pod system
• A-10 Thunderbolt II

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by Master Sgt. Andrew Gates
455th Expeditionary Operations Group Public Affairs

6/4/2004 - BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (AFPN)  -- When lightning strikes, it affects the surrounding area. The same could be said of an A-10 Thunderbolt II strike, especially when complemented by the advanced capabilities provided by the Litening precision targeting pod system.

The navigation pod provides A-10 pilots with more than improved attack capabilities, said Capt. Matt McGarry, 355th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron weapons officer. With it, a pilot flying close-air support for ground troops has more options to search out enemies and protect friendly forces.

“The Litening pod adds great capabilities to an already outstanding close-air support (aircraft),” he said.

The externally mounted pod enables fighter pilots to detect and identify ground targets, and accurately deliver conventional and precision-guided munitions.

The greatest benefit to ground troops is the pod’s laser designator, said Capt. Chris Taylor, 355th EFS A-10 pilot. This adds a capability to the A-10 that it did not have before -- the ability to drop precision-guided bombs.

“When we are flying close-air support missions, the troops on the ground want precision munitions -- bringing laser-guided munitions to the fight is a great bonus for the A-10.”

This pod is exceptionally useful in many ways, especially at night, said Captain McGarry.

“Litening is another sensor to help us find targets, friendly forces and other points of interest -- for example, a potential ambush site in front of a convoy. The pod gives us information we may not be able to see with the naked eye, binoculars or night-vision goggles.”

It also helps A-10 pilots increase the accuracy of the conventional munitions they drop.

“The laser range finder gives us very accurate target elevations, which increases our accuracy,” said Captain McGarry.

Although increasing the accuracy is important with conventional munitions, knowing exactly what is targeted can mean the difference between life and death, especially for friendly forces on the ground.

“With my eyes, I can see a vehicle,” said Captain McGarry. “With binoculars, I can tell if it is a car or a truck. With Litening, I can tell if the vehicle has been driven recently and how many people are standing next to it.”

Captain McGarry relates it to a recent mission where he provided top cover to a group of Afghan and American Soldiers entering a village to talk with its elders about potential attackers. The ground commander was concerned that enemy forces might be watching his men and asked the pilot to check out the village. He was able to survey the village from the air, give the ground forces a heads-up on potential threats and watch those targets.

This requires a great deal of coordination with ground forces through joint terminal-attack controllers, Captain McGarry said. They are specially trained to coordinate aircraft movement, as well as directing air strikes from the ground.

“Although I can use the Litening pod and determine there are people in buildings, I can’t tell whether or not the people are friendly or hostile -- the (controllers) can relay information to me and let me know if I need to engage the targets or continue to watch the situation,” he said.

The added combat capabilities enhance the A-10’s mission here, Captain Taylor said.

“Flying with the Litening pod truly adds another option to my ability to monitor the ground,” he said. “I have a lot more tools to watch for the bad guys and look out for the good guys.”

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

    • Litening pod system  ---- Q

                          

 

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     ~ *355th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron  * ~

                                                           

                                         Ping!

[steplock]

I thought the AF was trying to get rid of the A-10 because it only kills people?

[ken5050]

lightening pod system = mini "neutron' bomb..added bonus..it only kills guys with facial hair..

[Bobby777]

people? ... it's primary mission was to destroy tanks and other armor ... or were you kidding?

[shield]

BMP

[razorback-bert]

Go HOGS Go!

[POA2]

I've read the same thing - that the USAF decided (or perhaps people in the USAF and Congress) decided to move away from the A-10 -

This is a terrible decision - we need A-10 type aircraft and what they plan to replace it with -(an updated version of an F-16) is nothing comparable (at all!).

To a less degree but another bad decision by the Congress (Cheney was very involved with this bad decision) was to get rid of the F-14 and replace it with the F-18E (an aircraft that can't do the job of the F-14). And that is not saying the F-18E isn't a great plane, it just doesn't do what the F-14D could.

[First_Salute]

Excellent catch; and thank you.

[First_Salute]

Yes.

We need aircraft that can loiter and observe for the benefit of the people on the ground.

UAV's are great, but the budget limits their numbers.

A-10's are next down on the list. Very effective.

Finally, there are the slow buzzards, so to speak --- a good example:

O-2A Skymaster (U.S.A.F. Museum, Wright-Patterson A.F.B., Dayton, Ohio)

The O-2 is a military version of the Cessna Model 337 Super Skymaster. Distinguished by twin tail booms and tandem-mounted engines, it features a tractor-pusher propeller arrangement. Derived from the Cessna Model 336, the Model 337 went into production for the civilian market in 1965. In late 1966, the USAF selected a military variant, designated the O-2, to supplement the O-1 Bird Dog forward air controller (FAC) aircraft then operating in Southeast Asia. Having twin engines enabled the O-2 to absorb more ground fire and still return safely, endearing it to its crews. The O-2 first flew in Jan. 1967 and production deliveries began in March. Production ended in June 1970 after 532 O-2s had been built for the USAF.

Two series were produced: the O-2A and the O-2B. The O-2A was equipped with wing pylons to carry rockets, flares, and other light ordnance. In the FAC role the O-2A was used for identifying and marking enemy targets with smoke rockets, coordinating air strikes and reporting target damage. The O-2B was a psychological warfare aircraft equipped with loudspeakers and leaflet dispensers. It carried no ordnance.

The O-2A on display was assigned to the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang, South Vietnam in the late 1960s. It was transferred to the Museum in December 1982.

[ProudVet77]

I wish that the Air Force would hand over A10s and AC130s to the Army. The Air Force is much more interested in supersonic jets and big bombers. In order to satisfy their ground support role they try to make a beast like the JSF F-35 into a ground support aircraft. Do you really want to use a $100 million jet where it can be shot down by a $1.75 stinger missile? Give the A10/AC130s to the Army and they won't spend as much on rotary wing aircraft which are vulnerable and expensive, whereas the A10/AC130 are ideal for this role and are relatively cheap.

[steplock]

trying to rile the zoomies! ;>)

They're sooooo easy!

U.S.M.C.
1969-1981

[alpha-8-25-02]

ooh-aah!

[Poodlebrain]

"This requires a great deal of coordination with ground forces through joint terminal-attack controllers, Captain McGarry said. They are specially trained to coordinate aircraft movement, as well as directing air strikes from the ground."

Out of curiousity, does anyone know how many of these specially trained joint terminal-attack coordinators the Air Force has? I'm assuming there is actually a small team involved rather than a single individual. How many are available at the level of an Army Brigade for attachment to the various maneuver elements? Are there any special supply or maintenance requirements for the coordinators that the Army cannot provide?

[Bobby777]

LOL ... gotcha

[GBA]

OMG! What are the A-10s (in the pic) carrying in the center slot? That thing is huge!

[Bobby777]

I can't see any laser-sensing equipment on the nose ... with the fins it could be an extended-range fuel tanks for long patrol missions or possibly, since nothing is apparent from the outside, a 2,000lb GPS-guided bunker buster ... if the fins are steerable ... if they are fixed, (given that many heavy-bombs have GBU laser units on the nose) it seems to be fuel ...

obviously, I'm guessing ... LOL ...

[GSlob]

But what use are "tanks and other armor " WITHOUT people in/around them? - thus enemy resonnel is THE primary target. The enemy does not yet have fully robotic vehicles.

[Delta 21]

Call it in "Danger Close" !

[fso301]

I still think there is a role out there for the A1 Skyraider. I believe it had a 10 hour loiter time and packed a real punch. It's 20mm cannon would be the better choice for attacks on troops and all soft skinned vehicles leaving the A-10 free to hunt armored targets.

I think the only reason the Air Force doesn't make use of an updated version of the A-1 is two fold; the jet jockey mentality of the brass and Congressional funding. Wouldn't sound good for reasons of funding going in front of Congress saying there is a role for WWII era aircraft on the modern battlefield.