Will the F-35 eclipse the A-10 in the new National Security Strategy?
Air Force
A-10
F-35
Close Air Support (CAS)
A-10 vs F-35 for CAS? I find it difficult to believe the a jet designed for speed and penetration in air to air combat would be as effective as the A-10. First the A-10 was designed to haul large amounts of ordnance and place it on target from close range. The F-35 does not carry as much nor as much variety. Most A-10 ordnance is dumb and cheap, which is fine from a low and slow platform knocking out many small positions. And it is plentiful with up to 11 hard points holding 11 bombs or rocket pods or other ordnance and sensors. The F-35's is fast and expensive which will cause howls of pain from the bean counters when a lot of it is expended in a small area to eliminate many small targets. But only up to 8 at a time. The F-35's cannon is smaller and carries a 10th the rounds. Armor anyone? The A-10 has it and was designed to take pot shots from the ground. Not so the F-35, who's skin is rated for stealth not rifle rounds.
With only a few aspects compared, the important ones I think, the A-10 wins hands down.
Terminator Salvation-A10 Warthogs Attack Human Transport Scene(HD)
Terminator 4 Salvation-A10 Warthogs Attack Human Transport Scene(HD)
Love the A-10 by the way.
I totally agree with your point that the F-35 does not fill the same CAS role as the A-10, yet the A-10 only accounts for 10% of CAS in Afghanistan. Could the F-35 not fill the same role as the F-16 and F-15E that play such a vital role in the AOR?
Traditionally, the Air Force [not the Army Air Corps of WWII] wanted to remain autonomous from the Army and focus their assets towards a more strategic roll, Air Superiority and Interdiction of the Enemy. Tactical Aircraft like the A-10 [A great bird] puts the Air Force back in the secondary roll and subordinate to the commander on the ground. By creating an All Mission Capability Aircraft like the F-35 the Air Force does not have to permanently sacrifice assets to the Army.
With the economic situation being the way it is today, all services want to cut back. Multitask Weapons Systems promise to fill the gaps and lighten the financial burden.
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