(Franco Iacch)
10/31/16

http://www.difesaonline.it/mondo-militare/la-10-restera-servizio-tempo-indeterminato-riaperta-linea-di-backup

The entire backup line of the A-10 was reopened. And 'as communicate the Air Force Materiel Command. The Warthog will remain in service indefinitely. The Pentagon has authorized the reconstruction of the entire backup capacity for the current fleet of 283 aircraft. The A-10 Warthog was built in 715 specimens. The Air Force has divested four squadrons A-10 from 2012 to date, while those still in service increased from 24 to 18 aircraft. The Pentagon Row in the world nine squadrons in four theaters of operation: South Korea, Iraq and Syria, Eastern Europe and the Philippines.

Built in the late '70s, they have been redesigned to fly until 2028, with the next step set at 2040. This figure does not have to kick up a fuss: just think that the B-52 fleet will fly until 2040. The Pentagon has recently invested a billion dollars to equip the a-10 with a new cockpit, fire control system and a HMD (helmet-mounted displays) implemented on the helmet. All wings of the A-10 have been replaced thanks to a contract worth two billion dollars signed with Boeing in 2007.

The controversies arise on the A-10 on the need to free up funds for the F-35 which, in theory, was also presented as aircraft CAS role. We know that is not so. The universal hunting project, both in terms of the components in common for the three variants for the role multirole, is officially failed by time. The Navy is developing its own specific hunting, while the Air Force is pushing for reopening the Raptor line. The A-10's sacrifice was considered necessary for the economic flow for the F-35. Unfortunately, as we have repeated many times, the F-35 tactical fighter can never perform the missions of the Warthog and match its historically undervalued close support capability. Then there is, finally, the age-old dispute between Air Force and troops on the ground.

After the initial phase (years) for the comprehensive JSF, even the Pentagon has admitted the facts, allowing the A-X program (nature of the A-10 replacement). GAO, Armed Services Committee of the Senate and the House, as well as the Congress have repeatedly expressed their binding point of view: the A-10 is untouchable.

The A-10 will remain in service until the decision of A-X program, which as we know has three options: build a new Warthog, use existing assets to meet the missions CAS or extend the life of the A-10 until 2040/45. Despite the budgetary pressures and the need to free resources for the F-35 program, the Air Force in its latest budget request shelve the final retirement plans in 2022, proposing the withdrawal of 49 aircraft by 2018. The Congress instead, froze all types of a-10's retirement until they are proven capabilities of the platform that will replace it.

Lethality, survival and the unique ability to provide continuous close air support A-10 are unmatched. The A-10 can fly above the battlefield for 90 minutes, while the F-35A can be alone for 20-30 minutes. The A-10 can shoot more than 1,170 hits, while the F-35A has only 180 bullets. The A-10 can remain airborne even after losing part of its primary systems, the F-35A can not survive a direct hit. No other Western aircraft could continue its mission under the fire of cannons 23mm and against some 57 mm. Every vital part of the A-10 is protected by armor plates. No exception to the pilot, wrapped by a titanium tub of 600 kg. It is noted that if on the one hand the A-10 was designed to operate in an operating environment of an earlier era, today remains more vulnerable than other platforms in the face of new threats.

The new platform of CAS A-X program should therefore be designed to ensure close support in environment with modern and layered defense systems. The A-10, today it can only operate in permissive environments.

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IZAKOVIC