F-35: Spreading the wealth

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12-17-2014, 01:35 PM

#31

sailingfun

Gets Weekends Off

Joined APC: Feb 2008

Posts: 19,273

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tanker-driver

The A-10s are all paid for and are extremely cheap to operate (relatively speaking compared to a 5th gen fighter). Why can't we have both? Cut a squadron or two of F-35s and you might have money to operate the A-10 fleet for some time. Cut another squadron of Lightning IIs, and maybe I could get paid for that TDY I went on two months ago!

What no one seems to understand is the F35 is a electronic warfare system with a airframe added to it. It's a different approach from anything in the past. It's also something you can't retrofit to older airframes. From a electronic warfare standpoint it's like comparing a F15 to a Sopwith Camel. The vast majority of the things it can do will never be made public.

12-17-2014, 03:24 PM

#32

3006hunter

Line Holder

Joined APC: Jul 2014

Position: Mil

Posts: 38

The USAF should just get out of the bomb dropping business altogether. Let's just fly shiny fast stealth air superiority fighters that do nothing but brief/debrief at Red Flag!

All joking aside. Air superiority is needed, but I find it very depressing that people think that CAS is just some "mission". It is what we have been doing non stop for the past 15 years! That single mission focus is what makes that thing so damn good. I don't expect you to have any clue as to why it is important because you have never lived that role. Congress finds the A-10 important because those with real war experience have come out in the thousands supporting that aircraft. Simply put....it works and it works very well. Hence why they are kicking ass in Iraq! Again!!

12-18-2014, 09:51 AM

#33

BDGERJMN

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Joined APC: Nov 2006

Position: Walmart Greeter

Posts: 694

On cue, from the Navy Times no less...

A-10 attacking Islamic State targets in Iraq

12-18-2014, 06:33 PM

#34

Grumble

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Joined APC: Nov 2009

Posts: 5,192

Quote:

Originally Posted by satpak77

Great points but my question was my question. Engaged as in pulling the trigger at another airborne aircraft who was airborne against the shooter-US aircraft.

Thank you for your service by the way.

His point (and a valid one) is that our air-air superiority was gained before a shot was ever even needed. If you can scare them so bad they never even launch, and in the case of the Iraqis bury their jets or fly them to Iran... Mission accomplished.

12-18-2014, 06:36 PM

#35

rickair7777

Prime Minister/Moderator

Joined APC: Jan 2006

Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim

Posts: 39,269

We do need air superiority, but the question is how much and at what cost?

Also superiority relative to what? Have the near-peers actually flown/displayed real 5th gen fighters? Or Hollywood props? If they're real, how many can they afford to build?

While the F35 certainly has significant EW capabilities it wasn't designed clean-slate with that as a priority...it was designed to be a stealthy strike fighter.