If the Air Force were actually succeeding in presenting a new alternative to the A-10 Warthog, I'd be fully in favor of same. After all, negligent reliance on old technology has bitten more than one nation's armed forces in the butt.
Unfortunately, it seems to me that the Air Force's animosity to the A-10, and repeated moves to get rid of it, are more based on (a) political over-commitment to the F-35 platform, even though they're looking to get rid of the A-10 before the F-35 is even flying straight yet, and (b) big defense contractor budgets for the F-35.
Local Know-Nothings Tell the Air Force How to Run Its Shop
Ditch the A-10 Warthog for the F-35? Really?
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The A10 is a marvel: Flying automatic tank killing machine cannon with tremendous survivability for both aircraft and pilot.
Yep, No money is to be made by defense contractors on this old dog that can still hunt.
Protip: ask it to do its job, and no more……
+keith olszewski The A-10 is a marvel, yes. But I think we do need to be planning for the plane that will have the successor role to the A-10 — and, given the prodigious lead time, we need to be planning for it well in advance.
The problem is how to keep that reality from being taken as a carte blanche to spend a gazillion dollars on a plane that still isn't working and which would never play the role as well. (Part of the problem being that the Air Force doesn't really want to play that role.)
+Dave Hill there will be no replacement manned craft. I envision tank killing autonomous drones. One time use and…… Boom!!!! Big replacement cost$.
In the interim, $marter, longer range$ munitions.
Good holiday to you and yours