A-10C Makes First Flight

MKSheppard · Post by **MKSheppard** » 2005-01-31 11:28am

by 1st Lt. James Madeiros
96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

1/28/2005 - EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) -- The newly designated C-model A-10 Thunderbolt II, modified with precision engagement technology, was flown for the first time here recently by a 40th Flight Test Squadron pilot.

Precision-engagement technology allows the Air Force’s premier close-air support aircraft to also use smart weapons such as Joint Direct Attack Munitions and wind-corrected munitions dispensers, incapable in the previous model, officials said.

“We have taken the world’s greatest close-air support platform and made it even better by adding a wide array of laser and Global Positioning System-aided munitions, the latest in targeting pods and the infrastructure to support data link,” said Maj. Michael Rawls, the pilot who made the flight.

The increased capability also allows for the A-10C to accept more high-value target missions.

Despite some speculation into whether to retire the A-10 in full or in part in years past, its performance in recent conflicts and its program enhancements make it an invaluable part of the Air Force fleet, officials said.

“The A-10 provides a ground commander with a capability no other platform can in terms of survivability, loiter time and array of weapons,” Major Rawls said. “Bottom line, it means (it) is here to stay for awhile.”

For those who have seen an A-10, the new model looks identical from the outside because the modifications are largely in the software and cockpit hardware. The appearance would be different, though, when loaded with a new array of munitions. The new capability will enable the A-10C to carry six smart munitions, with a standard load of four, Maj. Rawls said.

Although it has not yet flown with a new payload including smart munitions, Maj. Rawls said he felt that the modifications had not affected the performance of the aircraft.

“The modification moved the center of gravity slightly forward in the aircraft, but it was not distinguishable,” he said. “The jet handled very well.”

The estimated $300 million program has been a joint Air Force and industry effort that leaders said they believe will breathe yet more life into the 30-year-old aircraft.

“We are moving the A-10 into the 21st century with the capability to deliver the latest precision-guided weapons to the battlefield,” said Col. Robert Nolan, 46th Test Wing commander.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2005-01-31 11:35am

This is somewhat unrelated, but whatever happened to the stillborn Comanche?

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » 2005-01-31 11:40am

Darth Wong wrote:This is somewhat unrelated, but whatever happened to the stillborn Comanche?

It was cancelled, something about how it didn't fit into the Army's plans. Probably proved to be too expensive.

Perinquus · Post by **Perinquus** » 2005-01-31 11:42am

Darth Wong wrote:This is somewhat unrelated, but whatever happened to the stillborn Comanche?

I understand that it fell victim to budget cuts, and the army said "the helicopter will not meet the requirements of changing operational environments." So they reallocated the funds to other projects.

Ma Deuce · Post by **Ma Deuce** » 2005-01-31 11:43am

Darth Wong wrote:This is somewhat unrelated, but whatever happened to the stillborn Comanche?

The Army finally canned it because they figured it was too expensive for the capabilities it offered (radar stealth isn't all that useful on helicopters, and the Commanche's IR signatire isn't any smaller than the Apache's): they're going to use the money origianally earmarked for the Commanche program to to upgrade the existing helicopter fleet and buy new units of in-service types (mainly Blackhawks)

Mange · Post by **Mange** » 2005-01-31 11:50am

I thought that the A-10 would be retired in a short time?[/u]

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2005-01-31 11:52am

Mange the Swede wrote:I thought that the A-10 would be retired in a short time?[/u]

It was, but with nothing to replace it, it lived on, much like how the SR-71 came back briefly for a few years.

Ma Deuce · Post by **Ma Deuce** » 2005-01-31 11:54am

Mange the Swede wrote:I thought that the A-10 would be retired in a short time?

Only when the JSF comes into service, which won't be before 2010 at the very earliest...

Chmee · Post by **Chmee** » 2005-01-31 12:39pm

Its refusal to die while remaining the best platform for an unglamorous mission makes it seem more like the Skyraider II .....

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2005-01-31 02:01pm

Chmee wrote:Its refusal to die while remaining the best platform for an unglamorous mission makes it seem more like the Skyraider II .....

I'd love the USAF for eternity if they brought back the Skyraider.

Col. Crackpot · Post by **Col. Crackpot** » 2005-01-31 02:03pm

Regarding the demise of the Commanche, I think the Pentagon saw how badly the Apache squadrons were mauled in Iraq, and it had an effect on their decision. Now we learn that the Air Force is updating the A-10... that's no coincidence.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2005-01-31 02:21pm

Col. Crackpot wrote:Regarding the demise of the Commanche, I think the Pentagon saw how badly the Apache squadrons were mauled in Iraq, and it had an effect on their decision. Now we learn that the Air Force is updating the A-10... that's no coincidence.

Not entirely Crackpot, the Apaches were hardly mauled. We lost more than a couple but then again they were never intended for the open battlefield of the desert.

As for the death of the Commanche, it was mostly because it was expensive and for the missions it would be carrying out the stealth wasn't worth it. Radar stealthing isn't going to help much when you're going to be relatively visible down low and it will only be worse in a desert. That and as I understand it by the end the Commanche wasn't even to be an attack chopper but rather an armed scout. So the Army just wouldn't be getting it's money's worth.

As for the A-10C the fact is the Warthog is still one the best close support aircraft ever and has no replacement in sight. The mission is in a lot of ways different from that of a chopper. And the upgrades to the 'hog have been going on for a long, long time. It's simply to valuable to let go with out an equally competent replacement.

kheegster · Post by **kheegster** » 2005-01-31 03:02pm

Admiral Valdemar wrote:
Chmee wrote:Its refusal to die while remaining the best platform for an unglamorous mission makes it seem more like the Skyraider II .....
I'd love the USAF for eternity if they brought back the Skyraider.

Wasn't the Skyraider a USN aircraft?

Ma Deuce · Post by **Ma Deuce** » 2005-01-31 03:11pm

kheegan wrote:Wasn't the Skyraider a USN aircraft?

Originally, yes: but early in Vietnam, the USAF started taking them out of mothballs and upgrading them for their own CAS work...