Yahoo/Reuters.
Senator John McCain is leading the fight in congress to prevent the Pentagon from retiring the venerable A-10 Thunderbolt II, more commonly known as the Warthog. Yahoo/Reuters. The Pentagon wants to cut the strike plane to save $3.7 billion in operating and maintenance costs as well as $500 million in upgrades. Several Senators, including McCain, want to save the aircraft due to how effective it is in combat. The A-10 is armed with a massive and effective 30mm cannon, missiles, and bombs and is capable of long flights on station. The aircraft is also extremely durable. The aircraft is extremely popular among ground troops due to the amount of firepower it can deliver. The Pentagon has offered to retire only some squadrons but this plan was also rejected by Republican senators. The budget shortfall that cutting the A-10 is supposed to fix is due to Sequestration.
My Comment:
I have to admit some bias here, I love the A-10. It's my second favorite American aircraft right after the F-86 Saber. I've had the pleasure of seeing them in flight a few times and up close at an airshow. As much as people think they are ugly, I think they are awesome. And they are a frighteningly effective aircraft as well. I recently read a book about the A-10 in the first Gulf War. It's called Warthog: Flying the A-10 in the Gulf War, and it was a great look at how it was a key reason why we had such an easy time in that war. I recommend it if you are interested in military history or aviation.
I'm obviously happy about this move. One of the good things about the Republicans gaining the senate is that they will most likely be able to save this airplane. They may be able to reverse the Sequester or force the Pentagon to cut something else. I know that other aircraft can take the A-10's roles. The F-15/16/35 can do air support, helicopter aviation can destroy tanks and drones can do everything, but none of them can do it as well as the A-10.
And the A-10 can have a huge effect on morale, both for our soldiers on the ground and for the enemy. Just look at this and tell me that it wouldn't scare you half to death if it was directed at you. And tell me our soldiers wouldn't be happy to see this coming down on our enemies.
That's just what the main gun can do.
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