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+--- Thread: Close air support (/showthread.php?tid=2875)
Close air support - 727Sky - 06-20-2025
RE: Close air support - FCD - 06-21-2025
Great video!
Love the A-10. Always have.
I totally disagree with many of the military "experts" who say the A-10 is obsolete and outgunned. To me, it's like show us that replacement first, and prove it's better, before you go "fixing" stuff, US military! To date, the military and MIC's have not been able to demonstrate the effectiveness of this fabled replacement. Until they can there should be no sun-setting or retirement of the legendary A-10 (any of them).
That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it!!
P.S. - Once again, our military and MIC's continue to fight some super-advanced ghost enemy who doesn't exist. Over the past 50 years, the 'real' enemy we HAVE had to face is generally one which is very low-tech and militarily backwards, but highly motivated. You don't need super advanced (and expensive to lose) weapons for an enemy like this; you need tried and proven weapons which are cheap in comparison and available in large numbers. But...this philosophy doesn't fatten the wallets of the MIC's and the military brass who also gladly accept all manner of gifts of every size and color imaginable. Sad.
RE: Close air support - F2d5thCav - 06-21-2025
The problem, though, is more apparent with air to air combat. Even a slight tech edge can deliver lopsided combat results, such as the Israeli incursion into Bekaa Valley (1980s IIRC). The Syrian air force got blown out of the sky for very little loss on the Israeli side and, again IIRC, it boiled down to who had the best ECM/ECCM.
I don't want to see our aviators going up against a technologically superior opponent because the loss rate may be catastrophic.
Check on that comment about highly motivated (I would say 'fanatical') opponents. Being hard core still counts for a lot.
RE: Close air support - FCD - 06-21-2025
F2d5thCav - Agreed, but it's like using the wrong tool. Like using pliers when a wrench is needed. A-10's shouldn't be getting into aerial combat...it's the wrong tool. If they are, then whomever is allowing that to happen does not dominate the sky with other assets. The very second A-10's start getting engaged by aerial combat aircraft, the side with the A-10's should already have far more capable assets loitering overhead to engage any enemy threats and chase them the hell out, or shoot them down. A-10's are for CAS only. The minute the fight becomes air to air combat, the A-10's main mission should be to retreat out of that fight until the air to air aggressor has been cleared from the area. And, given the nature of ground combat, the A-10's can't be required to leave for long. Ground forces can't wait, so the aerial air to air cover should already be in place to clear any air to air threats on the A-10's immediately. Should just be a quick trip over behind a hill somewhere for a minute or so while the air to air threat gets cleared and then they're back at it.
RE: Close air support - F2d5thCav - 06-21-2025
I'm following you. My reply was more to the comment of how much money we spend on DoD projects/systems.
Agree the A-10 is a good close support aircraft.