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A-10 are too expensive for low intensity conflicts. Planes like Super Tucano would be better if we need to fight that kind of war. It would have been better if
by ianburrell 4y ago
A-10 are too expensive for low intensity conflicts. Planes like Super Tucano would be better if we need to fight that kind of war. It would have been better if US kept Super Tucanos instead of giving them to Afghan air force.
It is also quite possible that drones will do the CAS job by the time it is needed again. Or that missiles will make too dangerous for anything.
- tiahura 4y agoHow about a C-2 based gunship. Carrier launchable so Navy could buy.
- nradov 4y agoForget it. The Navy would never buy a new aircraft that could only ever be used for CAS in low intensity conflicts. They have no budget for that mission and no extra space in carrier air wings. The Air Force will probably keep a few AC-130 gunships around but they're just not survivable against any sort of competent air defense.
- ianburrell 4y agoGunships are less survivable than A-10. They only operate at night because they are so vulnerable. They are only for special circumstances. I’m not sure we need CAS solution, bombers and fighters at medium altitude with precision munitions worked well. Light attack works well for counter insuregency. For contested airspace like Ukraine, drones might be the only option.