AC-130

[Bob902]

seems like a lot of platforms are getting multi roles in recent decades. im sure that is great budget wise, less parts etc. but for its intended purpose the a10 would be real tough to beat. i dont know much of the f35. is that the one that most of the friendly nations also bought ? joint strike fighter program or something like that?

That's the one. Have had lots of delays, issues and cost overruns.

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[mokupilot]

Actual pew pew? Finally.

 

[Dgc333]

They keep claiming that junk F35 can do CAS. I'm calling BS on that.

The F35 has all the tools to be the best CAS aircraft the US has ever had.

It is much more survivable that any aircraft the US has, it is basically invisible to SAM. Much more survivable than the A10 or C130. It can carry a larger weapons payload than any single engine aircraft ever. It can carry all of the latest weapon systems. It has the ability to target and fire weapons from other aircraft, ships, ground based systems and artillery. With it's networking capability with other aircraft and satellite imagery it has unsurpassed view of the battlefield and the airspace above it. It can rain down hell like no other aircraft on the enemy. It's electronic warfare capabilities can disrupt enemy communications. The F35 is fast so it gets to the battlefield quicker and is economical so it can stay longer.

The F35 is certainly expensive with a current price just under $80 million but F16s and F18s can cost up to $65 million and don't have a where near the capabilities.

 

[9zero1790]

The F35 has all the tools to be the best CAS aircraft the US has ever had.

It is much more survivable that any aircraft the US has, it is basically invisible to SAM. Much more survivable than the A10 or C130. It can carry a larger weapons payload than any single engine aircraft ever. It can carry all of the latest weapon systems. It has the ability to target and fire weapons from other aircraft, ships, ground based systems and artillery. With it's networking capability with other aircraft and satellite imagery it has unsurpassed view of the battlefield and the airspace above it. It can rain down hell like no other aircraft on the enemy. It's electronic warfare capabilities can disrupt enemy communications. The F35 is fast so it gets to the battlefield quicker and is economical so it can stay longer.

The F35 is certainly expensive with a current price just under $80 million but F16s and F18s can cost up to $65 million and don't have a where near the capabilities.

sounds like the 35 certainly has promise esp. with the technology. i know the a10 is "slow" vs other aircraft but that was a strength in some ways. loitering around the scene gave lots of chances to get targets.

 

[Trigganometry]

I saw a movie once of a C130 unloading on ground targets as practice. I have never seen destruction happen so fast before. It carved up armored carriers like they were sheet metal. Just a lump of scrap after the second pass. The accuracy now is mind blowing and only adds to its lethalness if that wasn’t enough already.

 

[Dgc333]

sounds like the 35 certainly has promise esp. with the technology. i know the a10 is "slow" vs other aircraft but that was a strength in some ways. loitering around the scene gave lots of chances to get targets.

The A10 certainly has had a great track record but in today's modern battlefield it's a sitting duck to air defense systems. If you have been following the war in Ukraine their antiquated air defense systems have been effective to the point that Russia won't fly their jets and helicopters into Ukrainian air space now. They stay over Russian air space and launch missiles into Ukraine. Russia doesn't have an operational gen 5 stealth fighter to avoid air defense systems. Now that Ukraine has been receiving modern air defense systems from the west they are becoming better at shooting down the cruise missiles Russia has been firing from the ocean or planes in Russian air space.

 

[Doc]

1971..oops…reprint ..Aircraft 046..

 

[9zero1790]

The A10 certainly has had a great track record but in today's modern battlefield it's a sitting duck to air defense systems. If you have been following the war in Ukraine their antiquated air defense systems have been effective to the point that Russia won't fly their jets and helicopters into Ukrainian air space now. They stay over Russian air space and launch missiles into Ukraine. Russia doesn't have an operational gen 5 stealth fighter to avoid air defense systems. Now that Ukraine has been receiving modern air defense systems from the west they are becoming better at shooting down the cruise missiles Russia has been firing from the ocean or planes in Russian air space.

that makes sense. war is more tech vs tech now. i wonder if the a10 could get a modern suite of tech goodies? they would be awesome for drug interdiction and border security. a great partner for the hitron guys lol. im old fashion i hate to let go of anything still useful or cool.

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