Loren B. Thompson, National Interest: The U.S. Air Force's Incoherent Plan to Replace the A-10 Warthog
When the Air Force separated from the Army to become an independent military service after World War Two, it was understood that airmen would continue to provide vital combat support to soldiers on the ground. Army aviation ended up consisting mainly of helicopters, but there are plenty of combat situations where only a well-armed jet can give soldiers the life-saving fire support they need.
The most dangerous mission the Air Force flies in delivering firepower to soldiers on the ground is called "close air support." As the phrase indicates, it requires attacking hostile targets in close proximity to friendly forces (and sometimes noncombatants), which puts both the soldiers and the airmen at risk if operations are not carefully coordinated. Close air support can sometimes be provided from heavy bombers using satellite-guided bombs, but the most effective approach often is to come after the enemy low and slow.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: Loren B. Thompson is CEO of the Lexington Institute .... an organisation that is (IMHO) friendly to the defense industry. This is why this post is noteworthy .... even he has figured out that the U.S. Air Force's new initiative to find a replacement for the A-10 is a scam .... it will never be built, but it will be used as the excuse to shut down the A-10 program.
No comments:
Post a Comment