Kris Osborne, National Interest/Scout Warrior: F-35 vs. A-10 Warthog: Which Plane Would You Want in a Ground War?
As a multi-role fighter, the F-35 is also engineered to function as an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform designed to apprehend and process video, data and information from long distances. Some F-35 developers have gone so far as to say the F-35 has ISR technologies comparable to many drones in service today that are able to beam a “soda straw” video view of tactically relevant combat locations in real time. Built-in ISR is an asset which could have the effect of greatly helping close-air-support efforts.
Flying close to ground troops in combat in hostile and high-threat conditions requires a host of unique attributes for an aircraft -- such as flying slow and low to the ground, absorbing some degree of small arms fire and having an ability to quickly maneuver in response to fast-changing ground combat conditions.
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WNU Editor: I would prefer the A-10, and the reason why is simple. The A-10 has proven itself numerous times to be reliant when it comes to close air to ground combat. The F-35 has not.
Update: This speaks volumes. The Afghans want the A-10 to come back .... Afghan officials seek return of American A-10s (Military Times).
1 comment:
WNU, that's right, AND on top, the A-10:
a) is much, much cheaper per unit cost (like 0.1-1% of a F-35).. imagine an F-35 gets shot down.. what a PR victory that would be for the enemy!
b) is much, much cheaper to operate per hour (means your enemies won't bleed your banks dry, and then kill you)
c) inflicts psychological warfare on your enemies, who famously go running as soon as they hear the barrel sound
BRRRBRRRRRR A-10 all the way :)
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