Forum: F-35 versus XYZ

For the overall picture of this aircraft just take a look at some of the pictures other nice folks have sent in and posted regarding this bird. It's true it's ugly, it's slow, it's like flying a buldozer with wings, but it's return rate after any sorties has an I beleive allways will be excellent. If anything I see down the road is more robotics along with much more advanced avenoics

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When will the A-10C be ready to go?

sorry Shonuff, I have no knowledge of this particular airframe. Maybe someone will post an be able to acknowledge your question. best regards jr1947

thanks anyway

Shonuff, I do not think there is a public timeline available. Someone please correct me if I am wrong!

Units are upgrading now.

The PE (precision engagement) mod has started at Hill. Its quite a deal, and gives the aircraft some badly needed capabilities.

hello mark, jr1947 here question, is the A-10 going to try to incoperate the F-35 version as far as the engine transformation? reason I ask is I know alittle about the two engine versions, G.E. & Pratt an I can't possible imagine either engine fitting into the existing airframe. this whole A-10 being part of the JSF program doesn't somehow to fit the package. I allways thought the A-10 was strictly for close ground support. if you would please clearify, maybe i'm missing something here or got my information wrong. best regards,jr1947

JR...the A-10 is getting a modification to its avionics. Its not part of the JSF program. The F-35 will eventually replace the A-10, F-16, F-18 and the Harrier. The word is that the A-10 will be around in one form or another until 2028 (subject to change at any moment). The cockpit is getting a complete makeover, to include the aility to use litening2 and/or sniper pods. It is NOT getting new engines. If it ever happens the current engines could end up with new compressor cores and not much more.

The 355th at Eielson is already spun-up on lightening pods. They upgraded in winter 04-05

PE is much more than just a mod to litening pods. They are changing the configuration of the cockpit to include 2 color multi function displays, data link etc. Some of the units did what was known as a T-2 mod to allow their aircraft to fly with targeting pods. It was a bit of a stop gap thing to prove that it could be done. The jets coming out of depot after this mod get the designation "A-10C".

mark wrote:

It is NOT getting new engines. If it ever happens the current engines could end up with new compressor cores and not much more.

At least right now it isn't. The project has existed for years now, but it always gets cut due to budget. (when my old man started flying them in '79 there was talk about engine upgrades!) They want 750 mil for the entire A-10 fleet. Perhaps the avionics upgrades will show the need for better engines... Sure you can have the ability to drop PGMs, but you still can't fly above ~40K, and they don't like hot weather...

I realize that the JSF program is futureistic an that it is going to be relacing alot of older aircraft but the thought of anything other than the A-10 for close ground support isn't anything i can imagine. granted it is an old work horse but it does what it does. the thing that impressed me the most is the hits the plane can take an the pilot, nothing taken away from them, can still get the bird home. the gattling gun speaks for itself. gotta run, later folks, best regards, jr1947 Smile

hello mark, thanks for the information on the A-10. I was really confused about the whole matter. when I first had heard they were talking F-35's I thought that's going to be like fitting a square peg in a round hole. the whole airframe is going to be reconfigured. then I thought how is this plane going to be able to keep its current capabilities of close ground support with all this added thrust as far as manuverability. to keep it's current 34 engines and just change the compressor/core section makes since now. again best regars, jr

Elite 1K Joined: May 26, 2005 - 08:39 PM Posts: 1496

To clarify...

This is an A-10:
http://www.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/060326-F-2907C-065.jpg

This is an F-35:
http://www.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/020926-O-9999G-006.jpg

Forum: F-35 versus XYZ

F-35 to replace A-10?