A-10 "WARTHOG," THE WORLD'S BEST AND ONLY DEDICATED CLOSE AIR SUPPORT PLANE
SUMMARY ON A-10 Vs F-35 CLOSE AIR SUPPORT FLY-OFFS FROM PROJECT ON GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT
The Air Force designed the F-35 to replace the F-16 and F-15E but tried to convince Congress that it could also replace the A-10. Congress told them they had to prove the F-35 could do CAS as well as the A-10 in a flyoff before they would approve cuts. The A-10 outperformed the F-35 in two separate CAS flyoffs. The first was so bad, the Air Force ordered another where former A-10 pilots flew the F-35s, but the F-35s still lost. The Air Force buried the reports. It’s worth noting that these tests were designed to heavily favor the F-35. First, there were no actual Army units on the ground, or involved in any way…in a CAS test. Second, the nearest friendlies were stationary 4km from the target (hardly CAS). The lowest simulated weather was 10000’ (Wx in Europe and Asia averages far worse). There was a modern radar threat system the A-10s had to face with no additional support (not even close to doctrine). That said, the A-10s killed the threat and pressed on with the mission. The real solution, and F-35 pilots agree with this, is to force-package A-10s and F-35s whenever possible. "You need 5th Gen fighters on the leading edge to detect systems and provide a screen against advanced enemy fighters. I need Warthogs in depth with the magazine firepower to smite our enemies from the face of the earth" - Anonymous 5th Gen pilot
For more on why the A-10 is unmatched in Close Air Support see my National Review article: https://www.nationalreview.com/2015/03/case-warthog/
Yorumlar