Quote:
Originally Posted by Stealhead
I did not say that it lacked nocturnal capabilities but that they are even with the A-10C inferior to other platforms particularly the the F-15E and B-1B
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True, I misunderstood, you really just said they are insufficient.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stealhead
Another disadvantage the A-10 has that few realize is that it is primarily a day time operating platform it lacks the ability to operate at night effectively.
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Which both isn't true.
The A-10C's mission is to provide
day and night CAS, nothing states it is restricted or favored for day sorties only.
You mentioned the Maverick seeker again and I wonder when you spoke to A-10 pilots that they mentioned them.
The "poor man's FLIR" is a tactic from the second gulf war and surely from the Kosovo conflict, maybe even early in the OEF and OIF campaigns but since 2005, I doubt any hog pilot ever had to rely on a Mav seeker again to see something, really.
Why would they use Mav seekers if they have perfectly fine FLIR targeting pods, just like the F-15 or the B-1B?
Where is the difference?
Why do you claim that the hog can't "effectively" operate at night?
It sure can, I mean where is the difference of dropping a GBU-12 onto something from a Hog or anything else?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stealhead
simple truth is when it counts they do not call on the A-10C during nocturnal missions because there are always superior assets in theater which can perform far better than the A-10C can. For night operations the Bone is the CAS platform of choice not the A-10C. The Bone can loiter just as long as the A-10 and one Bone car carry the loadout of several Hogs. On many occasions Mk84(2000lb) with JADM kit (or Paveway kit)dropped by a Bone has saved units from being overrun.
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Well that can be said for basically every US aircraft with CAS abilities (saving units from being overrun...).
Regarding the Lancer being preferred for night sorties (assuming you're right).
Why is that so?
Because it has more ordnance?
Well then why doesn't it fly day and night?
I don't know for sure, but I suspect that this has nothing at all to do with capabilities, since the A-10C does have these capabilities, but with bureaucracy and how things are managed in the forces.
For example. Why did DEVGRU raid Osama's little fortress?
"Because they are the best?"
No, because of internal JSOC "politics", that's it.
So I wouldn't blame the A-10 for not flying as much at night, but the people who make the calls. Again, the A-10C is perfectly operational at night without any restrictions.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stealhead
The fact also is that using the camera seeker head on the AGM-65 is very difficult in fact its why they made the radar guided version of the Mavrick which was originally employed by fast movers like the F-16. Having worked with A-10 drivers I know from their banter just how hard it is to effectively use the camera on the 65 even in daylight and they are on a slower platform. Its why the C can fire the radar guided 65.
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The radar guided Maverick?
How exactly did you work with Hog pilots?
Cause it starts to get funny...