The A-10 has proven itself to be the platform of choice for close air support missions, and many have criticised USAF plans to withdraw the aircraft as a cost saving measure. Source: US Air Force
Daily Caller: Air Force Has No Idea What Will Replace The A-10
Head of Air Combat Command Gen. Hawk Carlisle informed reporters on Friday that, despite a week of deliberation, the Air Force is still unclear as to what next-generation aircraft would replace the A-10’s much-needed close-air support capabilities.
The week-long summit, which brought together leaders across all branches of the military to discuss close-air support, concluded on Friday with broad agreement that the Air Force’s position on the matter is correct: the A-10 needs to be retired in order to cut costs and make way for the expensive F-35, Defense News reports. Currently, the Air Force’s budget exceeds sequestration limits by $10 billion dollars, and one of the justifications given by Air Force leadership for retiring the A-10 stems from the toll it takes on the budget.
More News On the U.S. Air Force Admitting That They Do Not Have A 'Close Air Support' Plan
Close-air support mission to get new scrutiny by Air Force as A-10 jet retires -- Washington Post
US Air Force Scouting For New Planes For Low End Air Support Missions: Retiring A10 Fleet Makes Acquisition Urgent -- IBTimes
These planes could someday replace the A-10 — if the Pentagon spends the cash -- Washington Post
Close Air Support Summit Sparks Nod To Textron’s Scorpion -- Breaking Defense
General: F-35 Will Initially Lag Older Aircraft in Close Air Support -- Defense Tech
F-35 Will Not Reach Full Close-Air-Support Potential Until 2022 -- Military.com
Here's how the Air Force is trying to limit the fallout from its controversial decision to retire the A-10 -- Sandra I. Erwin, National Defense Magazine
2 comments:
If this isn't a perfect example of what is wrong with military procurement, I don't know what is.
This is so stupid. What the hell are they doing?
The plan is not having a plan. It even make it stranger that it's not happening suddenly, they known it months and years ago, but still they just looks so suprised about how could they replace the A10s.
The A10 story just seems to looks like the AAVP replacement (and with the EFV - Expeditionaly FIghting Vehicle) story gone for 30 or so years. But at the end there is nothing.
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