Forum: Military Aircraft of the Cold War

Just curious as to why Marine Air never adopted the A-10 into their inventory. I know the A-10 is a dedicated CAS a/c and it has proven itself in the battlefield many times. I've read articles of Marine soldiers praising the A-10 when it does its work. The Hornet, Harrier, and the Super Cobra pretty much make up the bulk of Marine air support. The A-10 would've been a great compliment to the ground units. Is it financial reasons? I know the Marines are pressed for cash when it comes to equipment, although the A-10 was built rugged, out of simplicity, and low maintenance. Or is it political? Or maybe they just didn't need it, since the Air Force is doing the job anyways? Just something I've been wondering about for a while now Very Happy

Thanks~ gc66

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I think I read somewhere that at one point it was planned for A-10s to be transferred to Army ownership, but apparently it never went through.

For all the CAS capabilities the A-10 has, it can't do one very important thing that other Marine fixed-wing assets can: land on or takeoff from on a ship underway. The Marines are, afterall, mostly affiliated with the Navy and more often than not rely on the Navy to get them and their assets where they need to be, and that includes taking their air support with 'em.

Could it have been made carrier compatable? Only Fairchild can tell. It would make for an interesting engineering study, tho! Cool

Been an ongoing issue of politics for many moons. Army has always considered close support aircraft but Air Forces claims it to be their bag. I agree that the Marines would probably be flying it if it could land on a carrier. I believe the Army is wanting/considering the new C-27?127 transport to replace the Sherpa. You can bet the Air Force will cry foul if this were to happen..
Have a great day!
Chickenlegs

guys, can I just ask...any chance of mods to the V-22 osprey?- I mean, if they could create a substantial weapons platform, you would be looking at a new gunship here. Apparently it can already incorporate a nose mounted cannon. Don't want to tread on somewhere i'm not meant to here, but has anyone heard any reports?

Actualy, looking at a pic & thinking about it, you couldn't really put FFAR's or the such on it, unless you incorporated an F-22 style "missile bay" system-which would be very costly. You could add a few 7.62's & the odd minigun, but really, your looking at just another Chinook style weapons platform if this ever got the go ahead.

The A-10s initial sole purpose was to save the CAS mission for th AF. the Army was going to get that mission back, and the AF didn't want to lose it....but it didn't want to develop a new aircraft either. Especially one that looked like that. Thanks to Pierre Sprey and the Fighter Mafia though, they shoved it down the AF's throat and they ate their words later on. The A-10 was designed to save an AF mission only, there wasn't much thought to make it a Marine aircraft at all. The A-10 remains to this day, the least gold plated aircraft project ever developed for a US armed force. Even to a greater extent than the F-16. But make no mistake about it, the A-10 and F-16 are cut from the same cloth.

The Marines have the AV-8 for CAS, and at the time the A-10 was being produced, the Marines still had the Skyhawk, the SLUF, and were just getting the Hornet program going. It basically came down to what Habu just said. The Warthog was designed to replace some Vietnam and Pre-Vietnam aircraft for the USAF which were being used for (but not designed for CAS). The A-10 was the first dedicated CAS aircraft, and due to its budget being shifted away, the production line ended after some 8 years. So, due to it being designed solely for a USAF mission, a limited production line, and really no real need for the aircraft by the Marines, the Warthog never saw service with anybody but the USAF.

Beers and MiGs were made to be pounded!

I know it's a bit OT, but I just wonder why Israel never got A-10s. I'd think it would be a wonderful jet for that nation. It kills tanks, has eleven hardpoints for lotsa maverics & bombs, the gun would be great for dealing with more domestic problems, and it sounds like it would be dirt cheap for them to pick up compared to many other aircraft. Any ideas why Isreal never got any Question

Habu wrote:

The A-10s initial sole purpose was to save the CAS mission for th AF. the Army was going to get that mission back, and the AF didn't want to lose it....but it didn't want to develop a new aircraft either. Especially one that looked like that. Thanks to Pierre Sprey and the Fighter Mafia though, they shoved it down the AF's throat and they ate their words later on. The A-10 was designed to save an AF mission only, there wasn't much thought to make it a Marine aircraft at all. The A-10 remains to this day, the least gold plated aircraft project ever developed for a US armed force. Even to a greater extent than the F-16. But make no mistake about it, the A-10 and F-16 are cut from the same cloth.

Yes, yes. At one point the A-10 only cost the gov 750k a copy... That's stripped downf or ya. Also, can anyone see the Air Force allowing the Army to fly fixed wing aircraft? I don't. The A-10 is going to be around more a long time. The only problem with that, is that we need new ones. They frequently break down and they are old. Its like having a 1970s car...

as to why israel never picked any up... not sure. We didnt have many, and fairchild repubilc was bought out many years ago.

Well Swanee, you're getting your wish. The first A-10C was rolled out today. Not a 'new' A-10, but an upgraded one that will allow it to be in service until 2028, w00t!

Link: <a href="http://www.fencecheck.com/forums/index.php?topic=1924.from1106685416#new" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A-10C unveiled</a>

WOW! MFDs in the Hog....who da thunk it? I think it's great we're gonna keep for a good while longer. Sweet jet!

yessir! new MFD's! And take particular note of the stick...notice something familiar? Wink

Now let's see.....where have I seen THAT before? Laughing

YEE HAW!!! A whole new Hog Very Happy

!!! Sorry guys, I may be a big fan of the A-10 concept, but I don't know the Warthog's stick from a Tomcat's, so could you please enlighten me? I am glad to see that the Hog ain't dead yet Very Happy

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Forum: Military Aircraft of the Cold War

A-10 in the Marines?