Is the Air Force going through the motions of preparing for close air support (CAS) missions by pretending the F-35 can replace the A-10 until the A-10 is finally retired? Or serious about the mission?
I'm skeptical of the Air Force's commitment to close air support for ground troops.
This is good news if it indicates a leadership decision to maintain CAS capabilities:
The 25mm automatic cannon nestled inside the F-35A variant of the Joint Strike Fighter is now deemed to be an effective weapon. For years, a host of issues had left these stealth fighters unable to shoot straight. Problems with the 25mm cannon have also been a particularly notable talking point in the still-controversial debate over plans to supplant the venerable A-10 Warthog ground attack jet with the F-35A.
But I'd never use the F-35 to strafe given its high cost, the loss of stealth protection to Mark I eyeball detection (stealth doesn't mean invisible), and the threat of modern ground-based air defenses.
And if the plane needs the cannon for air-to-air combat, things have gone seriously wrong. Although for that bad moment in a pilot's career, I'm happy they'll have that option.
But I digress.
The F-35A is supposedly the future of close air support. Exiting stage right is the hardened A-10 designed specifically for close air support now getting upgrades so it doesn't need to strafe targets in close air support missions:
this includes the addition of advanced precision-guided munitions and updated targeting pods, which will enhance the aircraft's ability to engage moving targets with greater accuracy. The upgrades will also allow the A-10C to better support ground forces in complex, contested environments.
I assume conducting "close" air support in complex, contested environment means using stand-off precision weapons rather than its original low-and-slow approach to close air support when air defense weapons are more primitive. By that metric, yes the F-35 is better than the A-10 designed for low-level CAS.
To deal with better air defenses, the A-10 is getting defensive improvements:
Given the A-10C's role in close air support, survivability enhancements are a critical aspect of its upgrade. The aircraft is receiving improved armor and defensive systems to protect against ground-based anti-aircraft threats. These improvements will ensure that the A-10C can continue to operate effectively in high-threat environments, providing crucial support to ground forces.
Notwithstanding the apparent intent to use the A-10 in high-threat environments, I
assume those survivability enhancements are mostly for its role in fighting irregular enemies. Unless the Air Force is setting up the plane for failure.
But how long will the A-10 be in the Air Force fleet?
The ongoing upgrades are part of a broader effort to extend the service life of the A-10C fleet well into the future. Despite discussions about its retirement, the Air Force has committed to keeping the Warthog operational due to its unique capabilities and the vital role it plays in supporting ground operations. The enhancements will ensure that the A-10C remains a formidable asset in the U.S. military's arsenal for years to come.
How many "years"? Three? Ten? Define "well into the future," please.
Still, the Air Force is at least pretending to want to conduct close air support for ground troops a little more convincingly. That's progress, I suppose. The Air Force is good at it when it is committed to it, as it was during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. But that was the only game in town. Now fighting for control of the skies and deep strikes against peer competitors is on the table.
I've long been a fan of the A-10. But I concede the old plane isn't up to the task against modern air defenses using its original means of providing close air support. But strangely, the Air Force seems to be pretending that the F-35 can do the job at low level, too.
I want CAS to mean how close to friendly troops the Air Force can safely place ordnance on the enemy when requested--not flying low enough for pilots to wag their wings at appreciative troops on the ground.
I will begin to regain my lost trust if the Air Force sets up F-35A squadrons dedicated to close air support rather than claiming general purpose squadrons can include CAS in their entire range of mission capabilities. If the Air Force does the latter, perhaps we need a major change in close fires support.
NOTE: TDR Winter War of 2022 coverage continues here.
