Air force wants an A-10 wingman

a reply to: hutch622

The problem with the A-10 is that it only works in permissive environments. It would last 30 seconds in a near peer situation with good defenses.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Main situations that the A10 is useful in is REAL close air support, in those environments the opposition doesn't have time to bring in fancy air defence systems, real down in the dirt fighting where A10, Apache, Harrier were well proven and effective against forces in various areas. Threats were mainly manual AA guns (mostly truck mounted) or the occasional shoulder launched IR seekers (which all platforms are still vulnerable to)

When it comes to the sort of low tech war we're engaged in the middle east, enemies aren't fielding high tech defences so low tech like A10 etc are perfect for the job

a reply to: TheBogmonster

Yes, but with that said, I know for a fact the AF wants a shiny new CAS platform - that's survivable. With a capital S.

It won't happen this round, but sooner or later we'll get one. VTOL certainly isn't out the question either. The question they're asking now is how do we appease congress long enough to hold out for that platform. And the Tucano and Bronco are two choices to do just that. I would imagine once the F-35 and T-X have moved across the desk, we'll be here talking about the new stealthy ground attack aircraft that may or may not already exist.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: HomeyKXTA

No, VARIOUS looks like a scaled down Senior Peg with dual lift fans in the wings.

You're such a tease, aren't you...

a reply to: Barnalby

No, teasing would be saying we saw it at TTR on our 2015 trip.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Now I REALLY wish I lived out west. "A larger Lockheed VARIOUS" sounds an awful lot like those SPEED AGILE concept diagrams that were floating around.

a reply to: Barnalby

It's still in the small, ship board size. It's not certain it will get scaled up or not. It was originally for the TERN program but was beaten out. There's still quite a bit of interest in it through other programs or even just buying them.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Basically a stealth sea knight, then?

a reply to: Barnalby

Something along those lines.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Makes you wonder if Shadow RST-V was really designed to fit in the V-22, or if it was conceived with "something else" in mind.

That was another program that hit all its design objectives before disappearing.

a reply to: Barnalby

The there are the fun electronic side programs that are coming onboard new aircraft finally, and the future is interesting.

a reply to: Zaphod58

......and had pictures.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Now that's just salting the wounds of the curious...

a reply to: Sammamishman

oh what did we ever do to deserve such teasing.

lol

Interesting video too if Im thinking of the right platform.