I know thats its good against armoured vehicles but im wondering basically if it could be the basic airplane of an air force, for it to do this it has to be effective at bombing buildings and industrial areas.
And infantry.
2006-11-24 21:45:20 · 10 answers · asked by bnjmnkrs 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
yes this aircraft is designed for close air support ( cas ) and this is something where he is up to .
But boming industrial areas , a larger area , you can better take a Buff for it .
2006-11-25 04:35:15 · answer #1 · answered by general De Witte 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even a helicopter can drop the bomb and hit the target,, that's not the problem. The problem is that a Hog can not do it at 600 knots. This is why the Air Force has always needed more than one delivery system, time over target is more often than not what will determine the success of the mission. Attacking a SAM missile radar site in a slow aircraft would be absolute suicide for instance. On the other end of the spectrum we have the AC-130 that can orbit the target almost indefinitely and literally waite for an individual to sit down on the thrown before sending a 105 round through the bathroom window.
2006-11-25 09:36:51 · answer #2 · answered by tom l 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The A-10's primary role is, as you say, for attacking armored vehicles for which it has proved itself time and time again.
It could be used to bomb buildings or to attack infantry, but to be honest there are more effective planes such as the aging B52, which can carry a massive payload of bombs.
The A-10 is more of a "specialized plane" designed to take out enemy tanks.
It would make a poor fighter as it doesn't posses the speed or maneuverability of a modern fighter, and would probably come off second best in any aerial combat with a normal fighter plane.
Normally A-10's are only introduced into battles either after any enemy air power has been neutralized, or with fighter support close at hand to protect them.
It has limited use as a bomber as it doesn't carry a large enough payload, although against a single building it could be effective. However, a stealth bomber can carry a bigger payload, making it the better choice for attacking a single building such as a radar installation of airport control tower.
One area of conflict where the A-10 could prove useful is attacking ships, as it does have the firepower to serious inflict damage. However, so far it has not really been tested in this role, with the US military preferring to retain it primarily in a "tank-busting" role.
2006-11-25 06:40:33 · answer #3 · answered by jonmorritt 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not going to make some false claim on knowledge in this department, but I was always under the impression that the electronics package as well as the type of payload used determined accuracy. As to what the technical capabilities of the A-10 are, I don't know, but I'm sure that if it was/is fitted with FLIR and or whatever other types of target designators dedicated bombers are equipped with, as well as guided projectiles, the A-10 would be able to pin-point a building to hell and back.
As it stands, however, I think the A-10s are just outfitted with TOW missiles, which, potent as they are, I could imagine flying straight through a building and detonating on the otherside due to the drastic differences in target composition. A building would be a bit of a soft target for something meant to penetrate a tank hull.
But, like I said, I'm just speculating. Hopefully some USAF jock will come and enlighten us
2006-11-25 07:31:50 · answer #4 · answered by traa2k1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely. The A-10 Warthog is an amazing aircraft, and has an enormous payload capability. While it is primarily intended as a close air support aircraft, it can carry nearly every tactical aviation weapon in the US inventory. From smart bombs, to classical "iron" bombs, to a host of guided missles such as the Maverick, it also comes equipped standard with FLIR (Forward Looking InfraRed) targeting, as well as the GAU-8A "Avenger" cannon (6 barrels, 30-mm projectile roughly the size of a 20oz. Coke bottle, the round is made of tungsten and depleted uranium specifically designed to punch through hardened targets), it has been modified to carry the AIM-9 Sidewinder IR air-to-air missle, and it is highly maneuverable. Because of its design, it is relatively slow (~400knots, or about 450 mph), but at full speed, its minimum height is determined only by the skill, nerve, and sheer will of its pilot.
The A-10 is quite capable of knocking down a building, given the proper loadout of weapons.
2006-11-25 13:43:25 · answer #5 · answered by The_moondog 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can as it is able to lift the classic all purpose bomb (such as Mk-82 & Mk-84) and the laser guided bomb but the A-10 lacks the speed and the agility of a fighter-bomber such as the F-16.
But it there is not Air-Air opposition and very (very) light anti-aircraft artillery or SAM, the A-10 should do a good job even if tactical bombing is not its assigned job.
It will do a far better job in its natural environment : slow and low, above a battlefield, helping the troops to make their way through the bad guys !
2006-11-25 05:56:37 · answer #6 · answered by ColdWarrior 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heck Yea - - - in the hands of a skilled pilot any aerial machine is an effective weapon against ground targets and the A-10 is one of the best machines in America's arsenal, able to carry a variety of loads & weapon systems.
Peace...
2006-11-25 06:07:37 · answer #7 · answered by JVHawai'i 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IMHO I think that the A-10 would be effective. As stated earlier though I wonder about how big a payload it would be able to carry, but for strategic strikes it could always go to its gun.
2006-11-25 08:00:29 · answer #8 · answered by JohnRingold 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Posssible but the explosive type will vary building to building and place to place as lot other matters are sitting under the building!!!.
2006-11-25 05:55:32 · answer #9 · answered by SESHADRI K 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go with the c130 bigger better multi platform
2006-11-25 07:19:03 · answer #10 · answered by SweetDeath! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋