The camera footage appears to be all training missions, but the narrative is informative.

I saw that yesterday. Very well done, it’s worth the watch. I didn’t realize the tub the pilot is in could stop 23mm shells. One of my favorite planes.

I love this plane, thanks for the video. The only aircraft on the same plane (intended) of awesomeness as the A-10 is the AC-130.

What is the proposed follow-on for the capability that is supposed to go away in 2029? Surely they wouldn't retire these magnificent war planes without a suitable replacement? I hope it isn't drones!

quote:

Originally posted by architect:
What is the proposed follow-on for the capability that is supposed to go away in 2029? Surely they wouldn't retire these magnificent war planes without a suitable replacement? I hope it isn't drones!

I'm about 95% sure the Air Tractor isn't going to fill the A-10's CAS job. Pretty sure it's aimed at doing COIN ISR/light attack stuff.

Replacement = F35.

And it has a 50% availability and no proven track record for CAS.

quote:

Originally posted by architect:
What is the proposed follow-on for the capability that is supposed to go away in 2029? Surely they wouldn't retire these magnificent war planes without a suitable replacement? I hope it isn't drones!

IMO, there is nothing out there that can perform the mission of the A-10 to the standard it set. A multi-role aircraft obviously (to most) cannot take the place of a single mission aircraft, that can fly low and slow, like the Hog. What replaces 7 barrels from Hell in firepower? Nothing, and that titanium bathtub that allows a pilot to fly low and slow and put ordnance where it’s needed makes every multi-role fighter a less-than-satisfactory compromise.

May be time to reintroduce the ACH-47A, "Guns-a-go-go". Need a new name, "guns-a-go-go" is so 1960s.

quote:

Originally posted by nhtagmember:
And it has a 50% availability and no proven track record for CAS.

But it has a 25mm cannon!

F-35A’s Beleaguered 25mm Cannon Is Finally “Effective”

Accuracy and other issues have dogged the F-35A’s gun, which also have been major talking points in the debate about retiring the A-10.

Joseph Trevithick
Published Mar 22, 2024

The 25mm automatic cannon nestled inside the F-35A variant of the Joint Strike Fighter is now deemed to be an effective weapon. For years, a host of issues had left these stealth fighters unable to shoot straight. Problems with the 25mm cannon have also been a particularly notable talking point in the still-controversial debate over plans to supplant the venerable A-10 Warthog ground attack jet with the F-35A.

Russ Goemaere, a spokesperson for the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO), provided The War Zone with an update on the F-35A’s gun, which is formally designated the GAU-22/A, earlier this week. In the U.S. military, the F-35A is operated exclusively by the U.S. Air Force...

Complete article:

https://www.twz.com/air/f-35as...is-finally-effective

From the article:

"As installed on the F-35A, the GAU-22/A feeds from a magazine with a maximum capacity of 180 rounds. Given the size of the magazine, the gun has just over three seconds worth of total available firing time during a single sortie."

This contrasts to the A-10's GAU-8 magazine capacity of 1350 rounds.

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
May be time to reintroduce the ACH-47A, "Guns-a-go-go". Need a new name, "guns-a-go-go" is so 1960s.

I will confess that I was basically in my dad's sack when this was a thing in combat so I don't really know what it was called in theater but I always knew it as "Spooky" or "Puff the Magic Dragon".

AC-47

I always loved these iterations as a kid, the AC-47, AC-119, and the AC-130. Would LOVE to see an AC-17.

quote:

Originally posted by AllenInAR:
I'm about 95% sure the Air Tractor isn't going to fill the A-10's CAS job. Pretty sure it's aimed at doing COIN ISR/light attack stuff.

Like defending the US/Mex border.....

quote:

Originally posted by Sig2340:

quote:

Originally posted by architect:
What is the proposed follow-on for the capability that is supposed to go away in 2029? Surely they wouldn't retire these magnificent war planes without a suitable replacement? I hope it isn't drones!

[FLASH_VIDEO]<iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OloKDSNe10U?si=n0Sp1919voX6KjNV" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>[/FLASH_VIDEO]

@2:27 it appears to the THE definitive anti-materiel 'ship-buster' for use against insurgents/border-crossers et al who trailer their boats around the deserts of North America.

I wonder who THEY might be?

quote:

Originally posted by tacfoley:

quote:

Originally posted by AllenInAR:
I'm about 95% sure the Air Tractor isn't going to fill the A-10's CAS job. Pretty sure it's aimed at doing COIN ISR/light attack stuff.

Like defending the US/Mex border.....

Honestly, given its ability to operate from austere airfields, that would probably be a good mission for it. But I think it is supposed to support the 'special' kids on those small footprint ops.