Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Bad Math

The notion that it makes sense to sacrifice 300 A-10 close air support aircraft to buy 30 F-35s is the worst sort of math that I can imagine.

Getting rid of the A-10 is "bullshit":

Think about it in perspective, we are talking about cutting the A-10 entirely here, another three hundred combat aircraft gone from the USAF's dwindling inventory, and these are the most cost effetive out of the entire lot. All for the equivalent of buying just 30 F-35s.

The Air Force has its priorities. Besides, the Air Force knows what will help the Army win ground wars more than those stupid ground pounders who fail to see the big picture.

Yeah, from 30,000 feet the math looks elegant. When you are sucking dust, it doesn't add up.

And you wonder why the Marine Corps has its own air force?

But what the Hell? We've been directed not to fight ground wars so what Army in the field is even going to need Air Force close air support?

The Medium Term Rule begins to bite.