Many thanks, all I have are old photos so it's that or nothing! My 'local' base is Lakenheath, about 2 hours away but I've not been there for a spotting trip since 2016. They have F-15Es and F-35As and at the moment Langley F-22s visiting so there's a bit of variety up there right now. Heat haze is a big issue though this time of year. I really need to start scanning more of my old slides as well!
I find myself wondering if the Air Forces attitude towards the A-!0 would change if the choice was to keep the A-10's active, or to send the A-10 squadrons (and their funding) to the Army/Marines who appreciate close air support.
I'm not sure if it ever was a good idea to trust the fighter/bomber jocks with protecting the ground troops. When they split the Air Force from the Army, I believe they should have left Army aviation the mission of fixed wing CAS along with their helicopter missions.
kwbarnes wrote:
I find myself wondering if the Air Forces attitude towards the A-!0 would change if the choice was to keep the A-10's active, or to send the A-10 squadrons (and their funding) to the Army/Marines who appreciate close air support.
The USAF’s decision to retire the A-10 Thunderbolt II by 2026, replacing it with the multi-role F-35 Lightning II and F-15EX Eagle II, stems from a post-Vietnam legacy and a modern strategic shift. In the 1970s, the USAF faced government pressure to develop a CAS aircraft or lose the mission to the Army, which was eager to expand its role with helicopters. Reluctantly, the USAF adopted the A-10 to maintain control, despite prioritizing air superiority. Today, the A-10’s aging fleet, high maintenance costs, and vulnerability to modern air defenses have led to its retirement, with the 2026 budget reallocating $3.6 billion for 24 F-35As and $3.1 billion for 21 F-15EXs. The F-35’s stealth and sensors and the F-15EX’s large payload (29,500 lbs) enable CAS, but they lack the A-10’s 30mm GAU-8 cannon (3,900 rounds/min) and 2-hour loiter time, critical for low-intensity CAS missions. The absence of vocal pushback from the Army and Marines, who rely on CAS, suggests acceptance of these platforms, driven by the Marines’ F-35B adoption (10 squadrons by 2025) and the Army’s focus on drones and artillery. Congressional efforts to retain 103 A-10s indicate some resistance, but the services’ silence likely reflects budget constraints and alignment with the Pentagon’s multi-role focus. However, multi-role fighters, while versatile, may not match the A-10’s mastery of CAS, risking a capability gap in certain scenarios. A modern CAS-specific platform, such as a heavily armed drone, could better preserve this critical mission.
Not sure where it started but all the talk about the A-10 being developed primarily as a CAS platform is incorrect. The reason it was introduced was for the BAI (Battlefield Interdiction) role to combat the perceived Soviet tank invasion. BAI is not longer a role but it was during the cold war, however it was perfectly suited to the CAS role and kinda morphed into that.
In the end it seems keeping the A-10 in service is a luxury the AF have decided they can't afford, making do with multirole platforms not specialised platforms for a niche role.
Ken, Ray and Kevin..as a "ground pounder" in Vietnam, CAS was a must! Helo gunships were fine but places we went and when "in contact" we needed more speed to get the help we needed before a "broken arrow" scenario. The "Sandy" was fantastic. The A10 would have been a "god send". Fast enough to help while still able to and slow enough that infantry "hand signals" were visable. Our "Operation Bright Light" missions could have used the ferocity of the A10 just to scare "Uncle Ho's boys"!
Great discussion but above my pay grade!
Dan
KevinJacksonUK wrote:
Not sure where it started but all the talk about the A-10 being developed primarily as a CAS platform is incorrect. The reason it was introduced was for the BAI (Battlefield Interdiction) role to combat the perceived Soviet tank invasion. BAI is not longer a role but it was during the cold war, however it was perfectly suited to the CAS role and kinda morphed into that.
In the end it seems keeping the A-10 in service is a luxury the AF have decided they can't afford, making do with multirole platforms not specialised platforms for a niche role.
Kevin my understanding of the purpose of the A10 was CAS. "The A-10 Warthog was specifically designed for close air support (CAS). It was built to provide direct support to ground troops, especially against armored vehicles, in a variety of combat situations. Its design incorporates features that make it highly effective in this role, including a powerful 30mm cannon, ability to withstand damage, and short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability. ..."
The builder of the A10 was Fairchild and had a very huge presence here in Maryland up until the end of the Vietnam war.
The "Military Perspective" of the need for the A10 is well documented Kevin. Especially during the Balkan Conflict-Kosovo.
Great discussion!
Dan
Just FYI..I don not know enough about the establishment of a "combat role" for the A10 among the military or politicians that budget the money to advance combat aviation.
I didn't think it was initially introduced as a CAS platform so thanks for the clarification. It was certainly designed as a "tankbuster" to hit the Soviet invasion if it happened.
KevinJacksonUK wrote:
I didn't think it was initially introduced as a CAS platform so thanks for the clarification. It was certainly designed as a "tankbuster" to hit the Soviet invasion if it happened.
KevinJacksonUK wrote:
It was an absolute privilege to be present on the Theodore Roosevelt for the last Tomcat carrier flights 19 years ago this month.
From the Genesio Airshow in New York State yesterday. My first time to see planes taking off/landing on grass stripe. I ddin;t know even the B-25 and the C-47 and C-53 could do that.
ILCE-1FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens370mmf/11.01/100s50 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-1FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens385mmf/11.01/100s50 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-1FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens333mmf/11.01/100s50 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-1FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens400mmf/11.01/100s50 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-1FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens400mmf/11.01/100s50 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-1FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens250mmf/11.01/100s50 ISO0.0 EV
Last installment from The Genesio show. This show is kind of far from me, 330 mile away. I left my house at 3:45 in the morning. .
It will be a long wait until the two shows I can go to in September. I really like to shoot a sunset show but there won't be any in location withing 350 miles radius.
ILCE-1M2FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS lens630mmf/8.01/4000s500 ISO+0.3 EV
ILCE-1M2FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS lens522mmf/7.11/4000s640 ISO+0.3 EV
ILCE-1M2FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS lens400mmf/6.31/4000s400 ISO-0.3 EV
ILCE-1M2FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS lens800mmf/8.01/4000s800 ISO-0.3 EV
Just fantastic photography Douglas!
My use of the adjective encompasses a whole range of brilliant mechanics of photography! So when I say fantastic it is a plethora of kudos!
Super!
Dan
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