Posted on Aug 1, 2017
Another Light Attack Jet Offering Joins Air Force's OA-X Fly-Off
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Some more small birds to add to the test. I am really starting to jazz on the idea of developing a CAS wing, headlined by the A-10 with a strong supporting cast of a mix of these planes.
Another Light Attack Jet Offering Joins Air Force's OA-X Fly-Off
Posted from dodbuzz.comPosted in these groups: 
Close Air Support (CAS)
Holloman AFB
Close Air Support (CAS) Holloman AFB
Posted >1 y ago
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Love the idea, but can't we just get more large drones? A crop duster drone seems to be a much better solution a simple commercial plane that doesn't put an American in harms way. I get the fact this is intended for permissive environments but I have a feeling Russia would pull a mujahedeen and arm insurgents with basic SAM systems to knock them down. A drone would allow all the benefits without the significant weaknesses.
Can anyone provide any insight as to a manned plan having more flexibility particularly to provide ground attack at the Brigade Commander level rather than at the Joint level?
Can anyone provide any insight as to a manned plan having more flexibility particularly to provide ground attack at the Brigade Commander level rather than at the Joint level?
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SSgt (Join to see)
MAJ (Join to see) The devil's advocate argument that comes to mind immediately is any delay in info relay from drone to remote pilot? The immediate human reaction to the change in the battlefield lends to a need for instant decision.
That's not to say that they probably aren't working on a good drone platform for CAS, but they would need to be fitted w/ guns instead of bombs/rockets only. I'm sure that's one of the big hurdles right now for that idea going forward, sir.
That's not to say that they probably aren't working on a good drone platform for CAS, but they would need to be fitted w/ guns instead of bombs/rockets only. I'm sure that's one of the big hurdles right now for that idea going forward, sir.
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MAJ (Join to see)
They have many drone platforms but from my field experience they are only used by priority units and it is very difficult to get their support unless you are SOCOM or part of a named operation. CAS needs to be incorporated at the BCT level so Brigade commanders can depend on it. This light attack concept is designed to fill that role by using cheap planes with long on station times.
I'm just concerned that the "permissive environments" will change as soon as we field an aircraft that can be shot down. Russia and other geopolitical groups would then have a reason to supply insurgents with SAMs. The counter argument to this is rotary wing aircraft which haven't been targeted with guided weapons since the conflict began.
I'm just concerned that the "permissive environments" will change as soon as we field an aircraft that can be shot down. Russia and other geopolitical groups would then have a reason to supply insurgents with SAMs. The counter argument to this is rotary wing aircraft which haven't been targeted with guided weapons since the conflict began.
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