Posted on Jan 27, 2017
A-10 vs. F-35 fly-off may begin next year. What plane will come out on top?
8.81K
94
29
10
10
0
The A-10 Thunderbolt II is set to go up against the F-35 in a series of weapons tests as early as next year under a stipulation in the latest National Defense Authorization Act, the annual defense policy and spending bill. The legislation also prohibits retirement of the Warthog until the Air Force can prove the F-35’s ability to conduct close air support missions on the battlefield. (Comments)
A-10
F-35
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 16
6
6
0
4
4
0
In close ground support roll nothing will beat the A-10. The plane was designed around a gun with every thought by Fairchild with the purpose in killing people and equipment on the ground. The F-35 was designed to be a Swiss army knife. It is designed to do a bunch of things good, but not able to do any one thing exceptional. The A-10 is a chainsaw. It has one job and it does that job better than anything else out there. The only exception I would think that the F-35 would excel in is survivability from surface to air missiles because of the stealth built into it.
Then there is the human factor. A-10 guys only purpose in life is to help troops on the ground. They live and breath ground support. F-35 pilots got a ton to do to fill a multi-roll aircraft driver roll.
The F-35 is so far behind in testing and is no where near ready to actually drop a bomb on anything. I would put money on the thing will not be ready for a flyoff with a Cessna by next year.
Then there is the human factor. A-10 guys only purpose in life is to help troops on the ground. They live and breath ground support. F-35 pilots got a ton to do to fill a multi-roll aircraft driver roll.
The F-35 is so far behind in testing and is no where near ready to actually drop a bomb on anything. I would put money on the thing will not be ready for a flyoff with a Cessna by next year.
(4)
(0)
MSgt (Join to see)
The F-35 has been dropping GBU-12's and GBU-31's for at least a year outside of Test. The Marines just deployed them to Iwakuni Japan.
(1)
(0)
SGT William Howell
MSgt (Join to see) -
https://theaviationist.com/2016/09/20/dote-leaked-memo-suggests-f-35-may-never-ready-combat-f-35-pilot-doesnt-agree/
Is the A model where all the problems are? This controversy is still raging on in Washington and the Air Force does not have its $35mil apiece airplane. I had no clue that the B were even close to being deployed. While the AF can make due with other aircraft in the innovatory the Harrier is super long in the tooth and should be the priority for replacement.
https://theaviationist.com/2016/09/20/dote-leaked-memo-suggests-f-35-may-never-ready-combat-f-35-pilot-doesnt-agree/
Is the A model where all the problems are? This controversy is still raging on in Washington and the Air Force does not have its $35mil apiece airplane. I had no clue that the B were even close to being deployed. While the AF can make due with other aircraft in the innovatory the Harrier is super long in the tooth and should be the priority for replacement.
DOT&E leaked memo suggests F-35 May Never Be Ready for Combat. F-35 pilot doesn’t agree.
Here’s the latest chapter of the saga: F-35 pilot counters Director Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E) leaked memo. Three weeks ago, a memo dated Aug. 9 (one week after the Air Fo…
(0)
(0)
3
3
0
I heard somewhere, the the F-35 has difficulty landing in the fog. Also, if you don't sign on while in the aircraft, to some obscure computer system in texas, the Aircraft will not fly. Sometimes, low and slow is the best. Who can remember the A-1 Sky Raider in Vietnam? Linger on target much longer and lower than the Jets, who had to go refuel. I think, take these type of aircraft and give them to the army who would jump at the chance. Again, remember the C-7 Caribou? Army Pilots flew then when the Air Force was scared due to weather.
(3)
(0)
SP5 Mark Kuzinski
The C-7 Caribou was quite the plane to fly in! It was the last one that I was on in Thailand.
(1)
(0)
Capt Edward Hannan
I remember the Sky Raider. they were still doing CAS in '65 when I was there. back then Comm was not too good and ground units could not talk to the pilots directly unless you had a FAC with you. you could however wave and point and the A-1 pilot with canopy open could see what you wanted.
(0)
(0)
3
3
0
The A-10 should win this battle but the F-35 will be chosen because of the money pit it has become.
(3)
(0)
3
3
0
F-35 will come out on top lust like the old A-10 Sky Raider was replaced by F4B 50 years ago. the troops on the ground com out on the short end of the stick. Pentagon contractors come out on top. $$$$$ count
(3)
(0)
Sgt Mike Sarris
Sadly, this is probably the truth. In a fair test, there is no way the F-35 can beat the A-10 at CAS, but somehow the jaded side of me says the test will be skewed toward the F-35 because it means more money down the line than the A-10 does...God help our ground troops if this happens!
(0)
(0)
Capt Edward Hannan
I am a bit out of the loop ('Nam 1965). aside from the big tank killer gun can the current generations of attack helicopters fill in the gap the A-10 would leave?
(1)
(0)
Sgt Mike Sarris
Capt Edward Hannan - I honestly don't know the answer to that one. I know the A-10 trained with the Apaches quite a bit, and the effects of an A-10 and Apache attack are devastating to say the least. The A-10 can carry much more ordinance than the Apache, but I'm not sure if loiter times are all that different. I know the A-10 can arrive on site faster, but some of our Army Aviation guys are going to have to answer that question.
(0)
(0)
3
3
0
I think that the A10 would do better at the job it was design to do ,but I think they will create a test that would only show the A10 at things it is not good in order to save face and then say the American people deserves the best.
(3)
(0)
3
3
0
Radically proven in combat versus many problems........
I will go with reliable support every time. A-10
I will go with reliable support every time. A-10
(3)
(0)
3
3
0
I believe the A-10 will come out on top if the tests objectives aren't skewed. The F-35 is good for Air to Ground and possible Air to Air but for direct CAS...nothing out there will ever beat the hog for its ability to stay on target with its ability to turn around and hit again within seconds. Just my two pennies worth.
(3)
(0)
2
2
0
here we go again...
the Clowns in the Nose Bleed sections comparing Apples to Oranges again...
You have 2 different weapons systems and 2 different missions... and that what the Clowns In the low Oxygen concentration department are forgetting about...
The Stealth Capability of the F-35 is Lost as soon as you clamp on the Out side ordinance... and the internal bays are capable ot handle the amounts needed to maintain a sustained Fire support mission... such as the A-10
The F-35 was supposed to be The Next generation of Stealth Air Superiority Fighter...
Now a Knock down drag out Ground Ponding Grunt like the rest of In the trenches want and Need when the "Fit Hit the Shan."...
i was in WA State when the F-35 was shelved in favor of the F-22 in the Mid 90's... so the concept and design is already 25 years Old...
the Clowns in the Nose Bleed sections comparing Apples to Oranges again...
You have 2 different weapons systems and 2 different missions... and that what the Clowns In the low Oxygen concentration department are forgetting about...
The Stealth Capability of the F-35 is Lost as soon as you clamp on the Out side ordinance... and the internal bays are capable ot handle the amounts needed to maintain a sustained Fire support mission... such as the A-10
The F-35 was supposed to be The Next generation of Stealth Air Superiority Fighter...
Now a Knock down drag out Ground Ponding Grunt like the rest of In the trenches want and Need when the "Fit Hit the Shan."...
i was in WA State when the F-35 was shelved in favor of the F-22 in the Mid 90's... so the concept and design is already 25 years Old...
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
Here is an update on what the F-35 is currently doing.
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/222510/f-35a-proving-its-worth-red-flag-combat-exercise
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/222510/f-35a-proving-its-worth-red-flag-combat-exercise
F-35A proving its worth at Red Flag combat exercise
After eight days “at war” the F-35A Lightning II is proving to be an invaluable asset during Red Flag 17-01, the Air Force’s premier air combat exercise held at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.
(2)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google