C_A_M_2015_05_

operator, must be seen as something of an

advantage.

But during an era in which even

asymmetric insurgent forces have heavy

anti-aircraft guns and, potentially, modern

‘double-digit’ SAMs, opportunities for

actually employing traditional COIN aircraft

are relatively limited. Recent operations

against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq have

demonstrated that aircraft are vulnerable

to enemy fi re, and that delivering stand-

off precision-guided munitions from the

sanctuary of relatively high altitude and long

range remains favorable. This has never been

the A-10C’s stock in trade, nor its forte.

Though the A-10C remains an extremely

useful and capable aircraft, it clearly

represents a niche capability — and that

niche is one that is becoming increasingly

narrow for the US. Though what its

advocates like most about the ‘Warthog’

is its simplicity, there is little doubt that

the two-seat A-10B NAW (Night/Adverse

Weather), with its rear cockpit and sensor

suite, would be a more useful aircraft today,

though still one that would be hard to justify

by comparison with more capable ‘full-

spectrum’ tactical fi ghters like the F-35 and

F-15E on the one hand, and cheaper light-

attack/ISR aircraft like the A-29, AT-6 or even

the IOMAX AT-802 on the other. Perhaps the

best hope for the devoted A-10C fan is that

the aircraft may go to an ally who still has

a real requirement for a robust anti-armor

capability.

This photo: The ‘Flying

Razorbacks’ of the Arkansas

ANG are out of the A-10

business now, with this example

shown  ring an AGM-65

Maverick. USAF/Jim Haseltine

Clockwise from below: Back in

the Cold War, A-10 pilots were

totally focused on tackling the

Soviet armor at low level.

USAF/ TSgt Dennis Plummer

The Lockheed Martin Sniper

pod provides exceptional

resolution and the ability to

monitor the situation on the

ground from the sanctuary of

higher altitudes.

Lockheed Martin

It is easy to see how medium-

level close air support has been

made possible thanks to GPS

and laser-guided weaponry

and advanced targeting pods.

Lockheed Martin

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