Sweet sound of a 20mm Hispano Cannon

[Stealhead]

Originally Posted by CaptainMattJ.

Depending on the situation, the A-10 is still more devastating. The A-10 can pop an armored vehicle like a soda can and vaporize any personnel unlucky enough to be a target. Its fast, can be deployed on call, is more precise, and has the benfit of being up close and personal with a pilot behind the trigger. Artillery is still an area of effect weapon, even though we have the capability of putting a round through a window at 20 miles. Its also highly vulnerable, rarely has direct line of sight for the target, relies on spotters, does not have the capability to destroy a moving target precisely, and is much more slowly deployed.

I know much about the A-10 having worked with them directly in the USAF for 3 years. 400 MPH is not what I would call fast either.The A-10 and any other aircraft has the same weakness as arty in an air support situation an aircraft is just as reliable as arty is on an observer directing towards the target and to inform of the effect or lack there of of an attack.Furthermore in certain terrain such as very hilly and very mountainous terrain the accuracy and effect of bombing even with guided weapons is greatly reduced and arty whose shells come down at a much better angle can be much more effective in having very good effect in such conditions.

Artillery has not needed a direct line of sight since the development of the howitzer and effective fire control which came along during WWI.You are a tad lacking in your understanding of how artillery works and should not be lecturing as to its employment.

Our artillery is much more mobile than you realize you seem to be unaware of the past 50 years of development when it comes to arty.It can be moved in minutes if needed via heavy lift helicopter such as the CH-47 and the CH-53.The Chinook was in fact was designed with very heavy focus upon the ability to move guns and all guns since the CH-47 entered service are designed for air transport.

You have things confused at bit artillery and even mortars are used very heavily in Afghanistan as a way to control terrain.Any time a unit heads out on a patrol one of the things they do is observe enemy activity so that they can observe where they detect or suspect that the enemy is about to use.They will then call into there fire support and provide the coordinates.So that in the case of enemy action fire support already has that location marked and has fired some ranging rounds into it (sometimes that being observed by the enemy is enough to make him loose interest in that spot).