F-35 (JSF) vs A-10....is the F-35 worth it?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 20:44:22 -0500

Is the F-35 worth replacing the proven A-10? I for one, like the proven A-10...

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Nov 14 at 2014 8:52 PM

MSG Wade Huffman — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 20:52:38 -0500

I know this doesn't relate to the F-35, but I've said all along, the logic was flawed from the beginning...
(it's worth sharing again!)

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2014 1:22 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 01:22:27 -0500

The A-10 is $118,000 less than the F-35 and they are telling us that the Warthogs cost too much? The bottom line is that Contractors and government who gets their hands greased make literally billions. Are these cost overruns really an actual amount or are we getting the $700 hammer all over again.

Of course the performance of the 35 is world class and does not do what the A-10 does, but it has it's own performance bright spots. So, the politicians who get these contracts are re-elected and get rich on the overruns.

Response by PO3 Brendan "Smitty" Smith made Nov 15 at 2014 3:36 AM

PO3 Brendan "Smitty" Smith — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 03:36:29 -0500

To quote two former F-4 Phantom pilots who are now working for the RAND Institute, "The F-35 is a plane that can't turn, can't climb, and can't run." Sounds to me like a billion dollar shiny turd.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2014 5:26 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 05:26:01 -0500

Ask a TACP if the A10 is worth its salt.
http://www.airforcetimes.com/story/military/capitol-hill/2014/11/13/tacp-airmen-oppose-a10-cuts/18979861/

TACP Association joins lawmakers in opposing A-10 cuts

For the first time, the largest group tactical air control party airmen have joined with lawmakers to publicly oppose the Air Force's plan to retire the A-10 Thunderbolt II, a jet beloved by troops on the ground but in the budget cross hairs of the service.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2014 12:07 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 12:07:53 -0500

- Nuff said

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2014 2:54 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 14:54:57 -0500

We need new fighters like we need yet another uniform change. In both cases, it's a huge waste of money.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2014 3:20 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 15:20:40 -0500

The P-47 and B-17 were proven as well......eventually things go obsolete. Gotta stay ahead of the technology curve. Someday there will be a war against an enemy with legitimate anti aircraft weaponry...not just RPGs and dishkas.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2014 11:43 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 23:43:45 -0500

Sir,

In my opinion we need the A-10.

V/R

1SG Haro

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2014 4:34 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 04:34:59 -0500

Don't ask us which plane is better. Ask the Taliban. If you can find what's left of them, it is because they bugged out as soon as they heard the A-10's distinctive engine sound.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2015 12:38 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 00:38:40 -0500

*Touch screen is made in China, Google it.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2015 1:30 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 01:30:34 -0500

Why change when the A-10 is combat proven, effective and the best CAS platform in our arsenal?? The F-35 in my opinion is a shiny new military industrial complex toy that's coat more than it a actually worth.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2015 11:30 AM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 11:30:34 -0500

how about we get both? I mean, the A-10 is freakin awesome but there is something so cool about the F-35 that needs to be there. So have both.

Response by CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter made Jan 31 at 2015 11:39 PM

CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 23:39:35 -0500

The f14 and the t45 were two aircraft that were supposed to be failures. I was involved with both very early on in there development. I believe the f14 is one of the finest aircraft in Naval history. I was told the t45 would break in half on its first carrier landing,I was there it didn't happen. After retirement from the Navy I spent 5 yrs maintaining the t45, it turned out to be a very good aircraft. So just give the f35 a chance before assuming it's going to be a failure

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2015 10:28 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 10:28:24 -0500

There is nothing so sweet to the ears of an Infantryman, as the sound of a A-10.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2015 10:56 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 10:56:17 -0500

I have a buddy that went into the MO air reserves & trained to work on the A-10. when I asked him about the f-35, all he could do was shake his head in disgust.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Feb 2 at 2015 10:56 AM

LTC Paul Labrador — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 10:56:56 -0500

What kills me is the AF keeps saying that the F35 will be superior to current airframes at certain missions, yet the F35 has yet to reach an operational unit, let alone prove its worth in combat. If the F35 shows in reality that it is better suited to CAS than the A10, then by all means replace it. However, we heard the same thing about the F16 being able to replace the A10...and we all saw how that turned out...

Response by SGT James Elphick made Feb 2 at 2015 12:37 PM

SGT James Elphick — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 12:37:16 -0500

The bottom line is that the Air Force despises it's close air support mission. The A-10 is the only airframe to enter service that production was cancelled and the plant was closed down after it's first production run. The Air Force wants to do cool guy fighter pilot stuff and strategic bombing, whether or not that fits into the tactical operations or not. Unfortunately we can bluster all we want but both the AF and Congress are eventually going to get their F35 and the A10 will go to the boneyard (or the ANG if we are lucky).

Response by SGT James Elphick made Feb 2 at 2015 4:13 PM

SGT James Elphick — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 16:13:55 -0500

Don't forget the USMC is going to lose out too when the F35 replaces the AV-8 Harrier. I doubt anyone is going to let an F35 operate out of a FARP or anything other than a major airbase.

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Feb 3 at 2015 12:40 PM

PO2 Steven Erickson — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 12:40:53 -0500

I'd like to ask a potentially EPIC STUPID QUESTION...

If the Army wants the A-10, can the services "swap owners"? That would mean all the pilots and ground crew would - at least temporarily - be "ground pounders".

I know it's a lot more complicated than signing over the pink slips, but is that better than the USAF scrapping them?

(In all fairness and full disclosure, it's not like I'd feel too comfy with a bunch of Uncle Sammy's Misguided Children driving a nuke sub around.)

And if the Army doesn't want them, well...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2015 8:00 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 20:00:36 -0500

One of my favorite sounds to hear, was an A-10 flying cover overhead or coming in low. I have always believed that the A-10 is one of the Air Force's best jets. I recall that back in the 80's there was a point when the AF wanted to get rid of the A-10 back then. Rumor was that the Army offered to buy the A-10 from the AF, because the Army believed so strongly in the need for CAS - and only the A-10 could fulfill that role to the level the Army wanted/needed. Also, according to rumor, was that the AF turned down the Army - not because the Army wanted the jets, but because the Army was not "allowed" to fly anything that used jet propulsion - the AF exclusive domain...

SMH.

I say this: If the Air Force is too chicken to fly CAS (which also was rumored at the time - they didn't like the close "proximity" that their A-10 pilots had to come in to in order to support Army ground units), then they can sell the Army the A-10s. Army has never had any qualms about getting bloody - even in today's "touchy-feely" world...

Response by MSgt James Rosenthal made Apr 8 at 2015 7:10 PM

MSgt James Rosenthal — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 19:10:11 -0400

Ah let me think about that...No! The F-35 isn't worth the money. It's interesting to see that the vast majority of people here on this site agree that the F-35 is not needed at least in the CAS role. Unfortunately we aren't the ones who have the power to sway the General of the AF. He was a former A-10 jock but seems to be selling out to those pushing the F-35. I for one don't believe in a New York minute the F-35 will be the end all beat all aircraft it's being made out to be. In my opinion, the A-10 doesn't need to be mothballed, a whole new airframe needs to be made. The ones currently in the inventory have a lot of hours on them and they won't last forever. With that being said, maybe some of those in power can convince Lockheed, who desperately wants to beat Boeing, build a new aircraft off the old blueprints but with an upgraded avionics package.

The AF doesn't need a Swiss Army knife aircraft...granted the F-16 does a lot of things well, but, it can't strike fear into the bad guys like an A-10 can. What the AF needs are aircraft that fits the mission best. F-15 (F-22) up high, F-16 (F-35 need not apply) in the middle, and the A-10 in the weeds with an AC-130 thrown in for good measure...all the bases covered.

Response by 1SG Michael Bonnett made Apr 24 at 2015 11:30 AM

1SG Michael Bonnett — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 11:30:27 -0400

Keep the A10. Aside from nuclear weapons nothing kills armor more effectively.

War is about killing large numbers of people as economically as possible.

I would have 1 A10 covering my butt over 20 F-35's that will never provide Close air support.

If the Air Force wants to save money they can convert those pilot positions to enlisted, like they used to be in WWII....

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jul 12 at 2018 5:48 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 17:48:22 -0400

I'd stick with the Warthog.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2020 6:05 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 18:05:10 -0400

The F-15EX has the fastest computer ever putting out 80,000,000,000 bits of info in one second. what?????? it is now being used to protect the F-35 LTC Private RallyPoint Member