Optics and targeting systems are getting better all the time, but somebody coming in at tree-top level, looking down at a guy on the ground literally pointing to where the enemy is hidden, is still out of reach of UAVs.
AW: Air Force weighs scrapping A-10 replacement.
- (Another Scott)
- (11)
- July 18, 2017, 01:09:50 PM EDT
The drones will never have the same concentration of armamemnts.
-NT
- (a6l6e6x)
- (1)
- July 18, 2017, 01:49:25 PM EDT
Never's a really long time. ;-)
- (Another Scott)
- July 19, 2017, 03:01:29 AM EDT
Does that mean the A-10 stays in service? Or that they'll just abandon that capability?
-NT
- (drook)
- (8)
- July 18, 2017, 02:50:14 PM EDT
Re: Does that mean the A-10 stays in service? Or that they'll just abandon that capability?
- (Another Scott)
- July 19, 2017, 02:56:01 AM EDT
I thought that airframe lifespan was a driving factor
- (pwhysall)
- (6)
- July 19, 2017, 06:42:25 AM EDT
They're like George Washington's hatchet.
- (Another Scott)
- (5)
- July 19, 2017, 08:25:33 AM EDT
Why do they need flexible systems?
- (drook)
- (4)
- July 19, 2017, 09:28:02 AM EDT
A huge part of the cost is the people.
- (Another Scott)
- (3)
- July 19, 2017, 12:56:44 PM EDT
Nothing's been the same since the close of TOPGUN at Miramar. :0(
-NT
- (mmoffitt)
- July 19, 2017, 11:44:02 AM EDT
The pilot looking out the bubble is one of the key features of the A-10
- (drook)
- (1)
- July 19, 2017, 12:18:48 PM EDT
Maybe, but as you say the optics on planes maybe "good enough" in many / most cases.
- (Another Scott)
- July 19, 2017, 01:02:56 PM EDT