06-21-2019, 04:28 PM
MrNoBody wrote:
The old "Flying Brick" F-4 Phantom II is still in use by several countries including Iran. It entered US service 12/30/1960!
I hope the Warthog stays in service even longer!
I disagree. It's time to retire the A-10. The money we spend operating and maintaining this aircraft with its extremely expensive supply chain could be better spent on newer planes.
I do understand why congress critters won't let it die though. It is/was quite a "bang for the buck" military aircraft.
Nostalgia.
However, the A-10 is not flying mission profiles that make use of it's 30 mm cannon which was essentially designed as a counter measure to the reactive armor on Soviet tanks.
Instead, it's flying medium range stand off missions and employing weapons such as the Hellfire missile.
This is something that the F-35 could do, and do it much more safely with stealth if needed.
The AF leadership is correct IMHO. Get rid of the A-10.