2006-09-11 12:46:09 · 6 answers · asked by rampdogg2000 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Army pilots only fly helicopters. If they flew aircraft, there would be no need for the Air Force.
2006-09-14 03:49:38 · answer #1 · answered by Johhny Drama 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fixed-wing (non-helicopter) aircraft are not flown by the Army. This goes back to the days when the Air Force was part of the Army (it was called the Army Air Corps). In 1947, it became a separate branch of the military, renamed the Air Force. When that happened, it took all of the fixed-wing aircraft with it (both the Army and Air Force fly helicopters, though). Since that time, the best answer to your question is "that's the way it's always been done." And the Air Force takes it seriously - some years back, the Air Force wanted to scrap the A-10, which is a highly effective ground-support aircraft. The Army loves the A-10, because it's so good at providing air support to the troops when they need it. So the Army proposed that, since the USAF didn't want the plane anymore, maybe the Army could obtain it for themselves. And the Air Force basically told the Army where they could go. So even though the Air Force didn't want it, they weren't going to let the Army have a fixed-wing aircraft. Fortunately (for the Army), during Desert Storm in 91, the A-10 performed beautifully, and the Air Force decided to keep it. A new version (the A-10C) is coming online soon.
Now, the Marines do fly fighters, specifically the AV-8B Harrier and the F/A-18C/D/E/F Hornet.
I went way past answering your question, I think. Sorry about that!
2006-09-15 20:48:58 · answer #2 · answered by The One True Chris 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It became policy so as to not waste money on developing yet another plane for yet another service. The marines and navy need a different breed of fighter because there planes are tortured by carrier landings and salt air. The air force doesn't have these problems and can gain performance by using lighter frames this keeps there planes an edge over there naval counter parts. the Army has no need for a fixed wing plane that can't be filled by the air force or marines/navy depts at less cost to the tax payer.
2006-09-19 15:23:52 · answer #3 · answered by brian L 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since modern Aeriel Warfare is mostly done off aircraft carriers, it's the navy who does fixed wing combat while the army uses helicopters.
2006-09-16 23:16:36 · answer #4 · answered by rich k 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Air Force has that role.
2006-09-14 02:14:32 · answer #5 · answered by Woody 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
same stupid shi**t for us marines thank God for the harriers and F/A18 hornets and bless all the A10 pilots
2006-09-16 10:26:43 · answer #6 · answered by aldo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋