The Russians operate more than 770 fighter jets compared to Ukraine's 69 or so. That's a massive deficit Video Above: With a Seemingly Massive Fighter Jet Advantage, Russia Can't Achieve Air Superiority over Ukraine By Kris Osborn - President & Editor-In-Chief, Warrior Maven [https://warriormaven.com/page/about] The US Air Force is moving on a plan to divest as many as 260 A-10 Warthog aircraft to pursue alternative platforms for Close Air Support given what leaders say is an inability of the famous “flying tank” to maintain effectiveness in new high-threat environments. A-10 WARTHOG However, the A-10 [https://warriormaven.com/air/a-10-warthog-f-35] is not disappearing quickly, and debate about its utility to the Air Force continues to surge among lawmakers and other advocates for the combat-tested, highly survivable aircraft known for saving lives in combat. A-10 [https://warriormaven.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTg0NDQ0MTA1NTQ2Mjc4Mzc1/a-10.jpg] A-10 The future of the aircraft has long-been debated, as many have argued that high-speed fighter jet aircraft such as the F-16, F-22 and F-35 are well suited to absorb the CAS mission. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told the House Appropriations Committee - Defense that the service does indeed intend to remove the aircraft over time. “We do intend to divest the A-10 [https://warriormaven.com/air/air-force-fighter-jets-f-15s-f-16-a-10s-f-22s-b-52-b-21s] and replace it with F-16s. The problem is it is an old aircraft not designed for an environment we face now and survivable against modern threats,” Kendall told the Subcommittee. Years ago the Pentagon conducted a specific fly off between the A-10 [https://warriormaven.com/air/f-35-a-10]and F-35 to assess each platform's ability to perform the CAS mission. Each platform has different and highly significant attributes. The A-10s titanium hull enables the aircraft to absorb massive amounts of small arms fire and its built-in redundancy allows the aircraft to continue operating after being damaged in war. The A-10 also has an ability to “hover” above ground combat and deliver impactful air fire upon dismounted enemy forces in close proximity to advancing soldiers. A-10 [https://warriormaven.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTgyMzgwOTYzMjQ0ODExMzk1/a-10.jpg] A-10 The aircraft also has an aligned 30mm cannon right below its nose to exact a lethal impact with direct fire upon enemy ground forces. These are merely a few of the reasons why the A-10 has been revered by ground forces for decades and credited with saving countless lives. F-16 AND F-35 At the same time, an F-35 has a set of unique attributes of potential impact to CAS operations, such as its long-range sensors and high-speed maneuverability. For instance, an F-35 [https://warriormaven.com/air/f-35-block-iv-software-drop-may-outmatch-china] may be able to deliver devastating ground attacks on enemy forces using its weapons and long-range sensors, without having to descend within range of small arms fire. The F-35 [https://warriormaven.com/air/new-mitchell-report-cancel-15ex-add-f-35s-build-new-start-multi-role-stealth-fighter] could use speed and maneuverability to elude enemy fire as well, certainly to a greater extent than an A-10 could. However, even though an F-35 [https://warriormaven.com/air/f-35-germany-nato] may not “have” to face as much small arms fire, could the aircraft withstand it? Nonetheless, fighter jets such as the F-16 and even the F-22 against ISIS in 2014, have demonstrated an ability to be successful with CAS. F-16 [https://warriormaven.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTgzMDc5OTM3NDk3NzAzODQz/f-16-lockheed-martin.jpg] F-16 One thing that is surprising, however, is that Kendall mentioned replacing the A-10s CAS mission with F-16, and did not mention the F-35 [https://warriormaven.com/china/china-j-20-manned-unmanned-teaming-f35-loyal-wingman-drones] despite its known ability to perform CAS missions. In the past, service leaders have emphasized the possibility of using the F-35 for CAS. Perhaps that is still the case, as even upgraded F-16 are still a 4th-generation, non-stealthy, older platform. Some members of Congress were skeptical and concerned about the Air Force’s decision to phase-out the A-10 and decrease the number or aircraft receiving wing replacements. Several members of the Subcommittee argued that the current war in Ukraine underscores the critical need for platforms such as the A-10 and even suggested that there would still be a crucial and much needed role for the A-10 in major high-threat, great-power war engagements. “The A-10 gun system is capable of defeating modern armor and is well suited for agile combat employment roles. It can continue to deliver massive rapid firepower on enemy vehicles in a contested environment. There remains a mission for the A-10 beyond counterinsurgency,” Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz, said to Kendall and Brown. Kris Osborn, Warrior Maven President - Center for Military Modernization [https://warriormaven.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTg1MjE0Mjc5ODg3MTAzMjU3/kris-osborn-warrior-maven-presidentjpg.jpg] Kris Osborn, Warrior Maven President - Center for Military Modernization Kris Osborn is the President of Warrior Maven - Center for Military Modernization and the Defense Editor for the National Interest. Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a Highly Qualified Expert with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. He also has a Masters Degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University.
