And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
"I am not altogether on anybody's side, because nobody is altogether on my side, if you understand me: nobody cares for the woods as I care for them, not even Elves nowadays". .... "He has a mind of metal and wheels; and he does not care for growing things, except as far as they serve him for the moment". --- Treebeard
I'll never understand, if the air frames are wearing as the Air Force claims, why they just don't make a bunch of new ones, with updated electronic systems and all the rest of the bells and whistles to integrate into today's battle systems.
If they're carping about using a 30MM on troops, make some that have a .50 cal or make them so that the 30MM can be interchanged with a .50 cal depending on mission.
They won't make them because of politics; they are cheap to make and politicians want expensive aircraft that they can make in their own states for jobs and graft. Lack of high tech electronics is an enhancing characteristic in today's environment because high tech electronics can be jammed or taken away.
It is such a crying shame that the Air Farce kept this most amazing close air support aircraft for themselves when there are even more qualified and more experienced CAS combat pilots in the other services.
Biggest argument going forward for not building any more of these warhorses is that the air superiority environment is going to change. But rather than put all our close support eggs in one "All-in-One" Air Force wonder plane basket; how about we do a little thinking outside that box? Mutually supporting flights of new A10's with better threat warning systems and anti-air-to-air missiles is one thought, another is self-defense drone swarms supporting the attack.
Manned aircraft are obsolete against a peer opponent. These planes would be destroyed on the ground when they arrive in theater by current missile technology.
That is CLOSE air support
ReplyDelete"I am not altogether on anybody's side, because nobody is altogether on my side, if you understand me: nobody cares for the woods as I care for them, not even Elves nowadays". .... "He has a mind of metal and wheels; and he does not care for growing things, except as far as they serve him for the moment". --- Treebeard
ReplyDeletewhy the Ent quote?
DeleteI'll never understand, if the air frames are wearing as the Air Force claims, why they just don't make a bunch of new ones, with updated electronic systems and all the rest of the bells and whistles to integrate into today's battle systems.
ReplyDeleteIf they're carping about using a 30MM on troops, make some that have a .50 cal or make them so that the 30MM can be interchanged with a .50 cal depending on mission.
The enemy fear factor alone should be worth it.
Nemo
They won't make them because of politics; they are cheap to make and politicians want expensive aircraft that they can make in their own states for jobs and graft. Lack of high tech electronics is an enhancing characteristic in today's environment because high tech electronics can be jammed or taken away.
DeleteBingo
DeleteIt is such a crying shame that the Air Farce kept this most amazing close air support aircraft for themselves when there are even more qualified and more experienced CAS combat pilots in the other services.
ReplyDeleteRoger that, greed and desire for power explains most of Gov't., legislative and bureaucracy. 90% of (((Them))) or Them adjacent.
DeleteBiggest argument going forward for not building any more of these warhorses is that the air superiority environment is going to change.
ReplyDeleteBut rather than put all our close support eggs in one "All-in-One" Air Force wonder plane basket; how about we do a little thinking outside that box?
Mutually supporting flights of new A10's with better threat warning systems and anti-air-to-air missiles is one thought, another is self-defense drone swarms supporting the attack.
Modern air defence makes them vulnerable. MAYBE (not likely) we could develop an adequately, robust, anti air defence system.
DeleteSeemingly a lifetime ago I use to install weapons and load 30mmm shells on them
ReplyDeleteIf it works abandon it, if it doesn't work throw money at it
ReplyDeleteExhibit 1, the Osprey
Truer words were never spoken.
DeleteManned aircraft are obsolete against a peer opponent. These planes would be destroyed on the ground when they arrive in theater by current missile technology.
ReplyDeleteTed
Birds turning on a string.
ReplyDelete