Subject:
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Re: Building the A10 Thunderbolt "Warthog"
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.build, lugnet.general
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Date:
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Tue, 18 Jul 2000 00:31:29 GMT
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Viewed:
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2425 times
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In lugnet.build, Drew Lawrence writes:
> You know the USAF is going to replace the A-10 with the more versatile F-16
> Fighting Falcon? :(
>
> ~Drew "Luke" Lawrence
They're still working on that?
I worked on that project back in the late 80's. The A-16. Sponsored by
General Dynamics (which provided two aircraft, a new one and what they called
the B2 - the second B-model built which they used for a testbed).
We also had several of our aircraft from Nellis AFB, as well as a some from
Shaw and someplace else which escapes me at the moment. All (except GD's)
painted a nifty jungle camo scheme. I was the ranking swingshift weapons
maintenance crew chief at the time.
The biggest thing was the addition of a 30mm gun pod hung from the aircrafts
centerline hardpoint (station 5). The downside was that the pod was so large
that the tires and struts all had to be overserviced to accomodate it. And we
didn't actually fire the gun - tests revealed that firing it caused cracking
in the keel structure of the aircraft. So a major redesign/strengthening
would be required.
We also did a lot of test flying of just about all the standard CAS (Close Air
Support) munitions. Just to make sure they worked with the aircraft, and to
get the pilots proficient in their use.
The coolest part was the B2. The testbed aircraft had some really great
gizmos on it. A small rotating ball-shaped IR sensor mounted just forward and
to the left of center of the canopy. The ball was slaved to a helmet mounted
sight so the pilot had *really* good night-vision. The software even adjusted
for the pilot looking down into the cockpit. Pretty amazing. Very similar to
what would be used on many helicopters.
The helmet site also incorporated data from a FLIR pod and digital terrain
mapping pods mounted on the intake cheeks. So the helmet image had all sorts
of useful information overlays in it. I was in techo-geek heaven.
The whole project culminated in a demonstration to the Army at Fort Hood. The
ground-pounders were very impressed (or so I was told). And GD produced a
cool 10 minute film that they said was to be part of a presentation to
Congress. I wish I had a copy of that film. :-(
Later I heard that the project had been scrapped. That basically, while the A-
16 was good, it had some drawbacks - like lack of loiter time over target and
the need to go fast. That the A-10 itself was to be retired and that the F-15
Strike Eagle would likely be the one to take over the A-10 role. Then came
Desert Storm and the A-10 proved itself. Which didn't surprise me at all.
I saw an A-10 at Nellis that came back after hitting a large vulture - massive
damage to the wing leading edge but still able to fly well. In fact, the pilot
said he could hardly tell except for buffeting and some sluggishness to the
controls. Repairs were relatively simple, and left a large metal patched area
on the aircraft. (1)
I've been out of the service for over 8 years now, so I have no idea of the
current state of affairs, but it would surprise me if the F-16 will in fact
replace the A-10. The A-10 has so many CAS specific features that the F-16,
or even the F-15, just cannot duplicate. Sure, they can carry the bombs and
drop them on the target, but what about deployment from rough fields? Or the
ability to go low and slow and take hits from ground fire? And I've seen what
that cannon can do - it is massively destructive, and that was with inert
rounds. Hard to imagine another aircraft replacing the A-10.
I would be sad to see it go.
-- Terry K --
1. Had an F-16 pilot that hotdogged low over a ridge and clipped some
treetops. The damage to the wing leading edge seemed minor but was a *lot* of
work to fix. And he was very lucky the engine wasn't severely damaged -
somehow it kept going. And the plane REEKED of pine scent for as long as I
remember - even after repairs and repainting.
And of course some wit painted a pine tree on the inside of the exterior comm
panel door. :-)
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: Building the A10 Thunderbolt "Warthog"
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| Hi, Terry! Long time, no see! (...) I saw a video documentary where a large chunk of the leading edge of an A-10 wing ripped off during flight, and dropped straight through the engine. This would've killed any other aircraft, but the pilot was able (...) (24 years ago, 19-Jul-00, to lugnet.build, lugnet.general)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: Building the A10 Thunderbolt "Warthog"
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| (...) The Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II's primary gun is the General Electric GAU- 8/A 30-mm cannon. And Mark is correct, it does have 7 barrels. The A- 10 "Warthog" is also capable of carring up to 15,950 lbs. of weapons. The aircraft's FAC load (...) (24 years ago, 11-Jul-00, to lugnet.build, lugnet.general)
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