06-22-2019, 01:05 AM
A-10's ground support role has no equal. Not even the Apache gun-ship can match it.
US learned a lot of lessons in CAS from Vietnam & the Soviet's Afghan adventures.
Any helicopter is a slow moving, low flying target for ground fire; rifle, AA gun,
RPG, and reportedly even a bow & arrow. Then there's the issue of engine & rotor
damage when flying 'low & slow' in desert environments.
AH-64:
top speed is 182 mph.
Service ceiling: 21,000 ft (6,400 m) minimum loaded
Rate of climb: 2,500 ft/min (12.7 m/s)
A-10:
top speed is 439 mph.
Service ceiling: 45,000 ft (13,700 m)
Rate of climb: 6,000 ft/min (30 m/s)
Additionally, an A-10 can be "on station" much faster than any helicopter and loiter for almost two hours.
US learned a lot of lessons in CAS from Vietnam & the Soviet's Afghan adventures.
Any helicopter is a slow moving, low flying target for ground fire; rifle, AA gun,
RPG, and reportedly even a bow & arrow. Then there's the issue of engine & rotor
damage when flying 'low & slow' in desert environments.
AH-64:
top speed is 182 mph.
Service ceiling: 21,000 ft (6,400 m) minimum loaded
Rate of climb: 2,500 ft/min (12.7 m/s)
A-10:
top speed is 439 mph.
Service ceiling: 45,000 ft (13,700 m)
Rate of climb: 6,000 ft/min (30 m/s)
Additionally, an A-10 can be "on station" much faster than any helicopter and loiter for almost two hours.