Navy version of F-35 clear for production

UPI ^ | 06/28/07

[Jet Jaguar]

I all in favor of keeping the A-10 around.

It can do things no other can.

[Jet Jaguar]

I am.

[Chode]

i STILL don't like one engine over water...

[A.A. Cunningham]

marine Corp(sic)

Marine Corps

UH5?3?(sic)

CH-53

[GBA]

I’m not so sure the A-10 would be “toast” as you say. However, I would very much like to see what could be built on a clean sheet of paper with the lessons learned from the A-10. Otherwise, the A-10 is a flying tank that has great loiter time, firepower and survivability for its pilot and itself. Still...I bet we could do even better! A faster A-10?

[A.A. Cunningham]

going with USN version of the F-22 for their interceptor role....

An airplane that doesn't exist.

the F-14 bobcat(sic) version

Bombcat

[quikdrw]

A-10’s fly over my house almost everyday from Martin’s airport. After seeing them, I can’t see how any multi-million dollar airplane can replace them in just sheer survivablity.

[A.A. Cunningham]

the F-35B will replace the Harrier jets flown by the U.S. Marines

Both the Harrier and the Hornet will be replaced by the F-35B and down the road possibly the Prowler as well in the MAWs.

[GBA]

Are you as sold on the F-35 as the military seems to be?

[norton]

"the A-10 would be toast at low altitude against a first tier opponent today...(helos fill the low-altitude role nicely anyhow)."

You DO realize that this statement is utterly contradictory-?

If an A-10 won't make it, there isn't a helo made or proposed that could do better.

[Jet Jaguar]

They are kick ass.

They cost a lot to maintain now. And, they have a survivability issue to contend with in future war scenarios.

I am unsure the F-35 can fulfill the roll, but, we have other options. The F-35 can help to fulfill the roll with the assistance of other airframes.

[Tallguy]

The problem with that particular Apache strike was that it was not coordinated with armor/mech. In short they sent the helos in deep and, as you said, they got chewed up. Entirely predictable.

[hosepipe]

Nothing come close to replacing the A-10..
No helo, no plane, no predator clone.. the A-10 is unique..
Actually the A-10 should be upgraded with advanced avionics..
even more than than it is.. and linked with versions of predator..

An A-10 stealthized would be smart..

[quikdrw]

I think they should make more A-10’s to try to cut the time and money to maintain them.

I don’t believe there will every be any aircraft that can do every possible mission. That is why I think the US arsenal needs to have many different airframes.

[Jet Jaguar]

New CUAV’s are amazing.

I think that is what the Brass is leaning toward.

[Jet Jaguar]

UCAV

[quikdrw]

What is a UCAV?

[rmlew]

The F-35 is V/STOL (Veritcal/Short take off and landing). The Naval version is conventional carrier.

[Chode]

once upon a time...

[Magnum44]

...One of their main jobs is CAS. Close air support). ...the notion of "stealth" is meaningless to a ... when providing CAS and when those on the ground need your as$ staying around in clear view to the badguys.

Your argument against F-35 is that it cant do CAS like the A-10????

The Marine CAS aircraft today is the F-18 and it does quite well. An F-35 is a stealthy F-18 on steroids. You dont think thats a good thing?