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At the risk of asking a stupid question, if the A-10's primary role is to serve as close in support for the troops on the ground, how come the A-10 program hasn't been transfered to the Army? If the army operates attack helicopters like the Cobra and the Apache that serve a very similar role, why not the Warthog? It seems like it might be easier logistics-wise to coordinate things if the A-10 was an Army aircraft.

-Beans

The Key West accords prohibit the army from operating fixed wing aircraft over a certain gross weight. IIRC, it's approx 10,000lbs?



<b>"You got me all wrong Mudd...i don't like anyone.</b><img src=newicons/saevil.gif border=0 align=middle>"
<img src="http://worldaffairsboard.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=862&stc=1" border=0>

Without getting into all the politics of this issue the main reason the Army doesn't fly the A-10 (or other large aircraft) is the Key-west agreement which restricts the size of fixed-wing aircraft, by gross weight, they are allowed to operate, the A-10 is WAY over that limit.

There has been talk of re-writing this agreement and limiting the Army by mission type and not gross-weight but, as far as I know it's all been talk up to this point.

<b>Sniper you must have been typing at the same time I was!</b>


Ugly But Well Hung

Edited by - Dice-man on Mar 27 2005 06:39 AM

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At the risk of asking a stupid question, if the A-10's primary role is to serve as close in support for the troops on the ground, how come the A-10 program hasn't been transfered to the Army? If the army operates attack helicopters like the Cobra and the Apache that serve a very similar role, why not the Warthog? It seems like it might be easier logistics-wise to coordinate things if the A-10 was an Army aircraft.

-Beans
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On another tack, IMO the Army should have the aircraft and have it's own air support capability ala the Marines. IMHO, the Army would treat the A-10 in the same way the AF treats the F/A-22 (anything it wants, anytime) if they possessed these planes. But aside from Key West, the AF would never give up the mission and it's associated $$$, regardless of whether they liked the mission or not. They probably wouldn't want 19 yr old Warrants flying the same planes their officers do.......<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Many Wo's flying Longbows, straight out of the Highschool to flight program. The US ARMY has also trippled its Fixed wing force and has plans for the A2g variant of the Texan2 in the works. Looks like their getting back into the "COIN" buisness.

"RickUSN-

That was intelligent and useful Mudd.

But it certainly is what Ive come to expect.

Mindless babbling with no intent to either enlighten or inform.

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The US ARMY has also trippled its Fixed wing force and has plans for the A2g variant of the Texan2 in the works. Looks like their getting back into the "COIN" buisness.

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Texan 2 A-G variant? Now that would be interesting.....and sorta neat.

Raytheon developed a kit to optimize the Texan's performance in combat environments, converting them to a T-6B for foreign sales. The B version has a weapons control computer and six wing hard points for mounting bombs, rocket pods, or machine guns. I did a walkaround of it back when we were selecting the JPATS trainer.

"RickUSN-

That was intelligent and useful Mudd.

But it certainly is what Ive come to expect.

Mindless babbling with no intent to either enlighten or inform.

<img src="http://www.raytheonaircraft.com/images/government/t_6/t_6_6_800_600.jpg" border=0>

"RickUSN-

That was intelligent and useful Mudd.

But it certainly is what Ive come to expect.

Mindless babbling with no intent to either enlighten or inform.