Posted on Feb 21, 2018
A light attack aircraft fleet: Could it change the fight or put lives at risk?
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I'm kind of on the fence about this one. The penetration ability is EXTREMELY low for these aircraft, but I think they could be effective in particular areas of operations, perhaps urban areas where maneuverability is a must.
A light attack aircraft fleet: Could it change the fight or put lives at risk?
Posted from airforcetimes.comPosted in these groups: 
Air Power
Close Air Support (CAS)
Air Power Close Air Support (CAS)
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 3
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It doesn't cost millions per copy, it's low tech, It's not supersonic, doesn't have an air to air capability, the fighter pilot mafia will NOT accept it. If you think differently, you don't know the mentality of the average AF pilot.
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SSgt (Join to see)
MSgt Mark Bucher my buddy in UPT right now supports it, but he's not your "normal" pilot. He's a former Marine artilleryman...lol
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Let's see how the tests go and then the AF can squash the project. I'm not sure how survivable either one would be over todays battle field. If I was was pinned down I would appreciate any CAS effort but I don't know if these cats are the answer.
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SSgt (Join to see)
TSgt David L. which is why I think they would be limited to low altitude urban strikes that would require the maneuverability that a small frame prop plane can provide. In an open field? Yeah, they're scrap metal.
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TSgt David L.
SSgt (Join to see) - I guess the anti-armor feature would make me keep it to more of a medium altitude roll. Minimum safe distance from the prolific AK-47 would be 500m just to be on the safe side. RPGs pushes it higher. I don't know what the AF is thinking. I guess we'll see.
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SSgt (Join to see)
TSgt David L. - perhaps overcompensating from the push to go away from CAS in the last 10 years?
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SSgt (Join to see) I am not an expert, but I think that removing the things that make the A10 such a beast is going to put CAS pilots in jeopardy rather than being a game changer on the battlefield. Maybe it will do both.
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SSgt (Join to see)
PO3 Steven Sherrill I think smarter minds will prevail. They would be fools to replace the A-10 w/ light aircraft. I propose they "create a CAS wing" made up of A-10s as the centerpiece, and supplemented w/ these LCAS frames. The prop jobs can have a bit more maneuverability in urban settings at a low altitude, and the 10 can still rain "Coke bottles" from the heavens!
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SSgt (Join to see)
I think a major point of the study was to reduce the cost of CAS in areas with little to no air resistance/deterrence.
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