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Former Marine here...the A10 is AWESOME. Nothing matches it. It has a huge amount of firepower, can take a beating and can stay in the area for a relatively lon

• Fjolsvith 7y ago
  As a Boy Scout, my troop visited the Air Force Academy in 1984 and the public relations officer showed us a film of the A10 taking out armored vehicles. What was memorable to me was him saying that when they leaked the film to Russia, tank troops didn't want to be in tanks anymore.
• Recurecur 7y ago
  The A-10 is great as long as the opponent isn't a near-tier adversary. If there are real air defenses around, the A-10 will soon be a smoking hole in the ground. Even during the 70's when it was brand new, their expected lifetime in Europe was only a few days if conflict started. Shoulder fired MANPADs and AAA are too much of a threat for a low, slow, non-stealthy beast like the A-10. And no, the armor won't help.
  • potta_coffee 7y ago
    Sure but that's the same story with helos as well. The A-10 definitely has a valid role in conflicts like Iraq / Afghanistan.
    • Recurecur 7y ago
      > Sure but that's the same story with helos as well. That's not the case, as helicopters can use terrain to hide in ways an A-10 simply can't. The Longbow Apaches only need to expose the top of their rotor mast above a hill or treeline to target the enemy. Other Apaches can then fire missiles indirectly (without seeing the target) and kill the enemy forces. Flying "nap of the Earth" has its advantages...