Video: Story Of The A-10 And Why The F-35 Can't Replace It

[jamieooh]

http://www.apacheclips.com/boards/vbtube/upload/thumb/79_89527.jpg (http://www.apacheclips.com/boards/media/5790-Story-Of-The-A-10-And-Why-The-F-35-Cant-Replace-It) Pierre Sprey, one of the original designers of the A-10 Thunderbolt II (aka Warthog), provides insight into why the aircraft is so loved by ground troops in the military, and why its planned retirement from Air Force operations is debated.http://www.apacheclips.com/boards/vbtube/images/play_thread.png (http://www.apacheclips.com/boards/media/5790-Story-Of-The-A-10-And-Why-The-F-35-Cant-Replace-It)

[rayjen02]

My favorite aircraft. If anything can beat it at CAS in the future, I would be surprised. I would still love this beast the best, I think.

[ChapaWolf]

Low and slow that's what makes it what it is oh and the gun goes boom.

[gutro]

I'm really excited about the F-35. I think it's going to be a great bird. However, it WILL NOT be able to replace the A-10. The only way you can replace the A-10 is by building a revised version of the A-10. A multi-purpose aircraft will NEVER be able to provide the CAS that is required in a drawn out TIC.
Lack of technology is what makes the A-10 so survivable. Today's engineers don't think that way. The art of mechanics is fading, and in turn, we are losing out on some vital designs.

[CadetSV63]

The Warthog has always been in a niche of its own - nothing IMO can possibly replace it. Yeah - low and slow, plus good armor. Sure would like to see it continue even if built as a newer revised version. Bet the guys on the ground have many reasons to thank that airplane.

[rayjen02]

I hope a special project is announced in the future to design a Warthog replacement. This platform would be mission specific for CAS/ Hunter-Killer. Imagine what could be designed using today's materials and technologies! Auto countermeasures, integrated IR designated rocket pods, quieter engines, longer range/ loiter, small diameter bombs, stealth optional and probably unnecessary, 360 degree spherical augmented detection, targeting, and engagement, and of course, the same gun. Perhaps a minigun on the same system as the Apache's cannon. That might make me cheat on my Baby. LOL

[louielopez]

Great vid. So, what didn't they think of or forget when the team designed it? Nothing I can think of. It's elementary. The only thing that can replace the Warthogs, being retired not because they are ineffective, but because they are exceeding their service life, is the replacement for the Warthog. Which, unless I'm missing something, is not in the works. This really should be a priority in DoD spending. Using a barely adequate substitute like the F-35 costs a fortune. If you are going to spend that fortune, then commit that fortune to A-10 replacement, period. That's my take on it anyway. Remember the first Gulf war, when Warthog retirement was already planned, and the proposed replacement was the F-16? Didn't happen now, did it? Just too unique of a mission that is not going away.

[762happy]

the a10 will be like the b52 :D

[ChapaWolf]

Well honestly guys I think the largely unplanned and extraordinary success of the Ah-64 is the replacement. The helicopters ability to loiter and move extremely slow coupled with its weapons systems are untouched. If you notice how the development of the E incorporates the ability to control Uav's which is basically the ability to fly to a target with 3 times the missile payload. The drones carry the missiles the apache designates targets and the missile fires from the drone. The helicopter is superior to fixed wing in this role. But no argument here the A-10 is something I have wet dreams about.