The legendary attack aircraft A-10 will undergo a global upgrade

The legendary American attack aircraft A-10 Thunderbolt II will undergo another global upgrade, which will allow it to be in service until at least 2035. This was announced by the US Air Force command, writes The Drive.

Almost ready for decommissioning in 2014, the Warthog will continue to upgrade and remain in service with the US Air Force for many years to come, the Air Force said. An attempt to replace the legendary attack aircraft with the fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II fighter failed, the new aircraft was not adapted to operate in conditions of saturated air defense.

Under these conditions, the American Air Force is launching another program to modernize the A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft. Following the program of equipping aircraft with new wings, the aircraft will be re-equipped with new weapons.

In 2019, it was reported that a new modernization program called "A-10 Common Fleet Initiative" was adopted, which involves equipping the "Warthog" with new GBU-39 bombs. Also, changes will affect avionics and helmet-mounted target designation systems. It is planned to install new radars, anti-jamming GPS and replace radio communications with more modern models. In addition, the modernized attack aircraft will get rid of analog instruments, which will be replaced by digital displays.

The modernization will not affect the aircraft's engines, but a major overhaul of the power plant will be carried out with the restoration of "the original thrust of General Electric TF34 engines".

The updated attack aircraft will be able to carry up to 18 winged mini-bombs weighing 113 kg each, capable of striking stationary equipment at a distance of 110 km and moving at a distance of 70 km from the drop point. This will make it possible not to enter the area of ​​operation of the enemy's mobile air defense installations. It is also reported that the use of guided bombs GBU-39 is much cheaper than the use of guided missiles with the same capabilities.

The US Air Force currently operates 281 A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft. The military budget for 2021 provides for the reduction of three A-10 squadrons, in fact, we are talking about 44 aircraft. The rest of the "Warthogs" park will be modernized, work is already underway.

Comments

[newcomer]

So the Yankees wanted to modernize the Thunderbolt a couple of years ago, they even bought composite wings.

[Hunter 2]

They cannot yet find a replacement for the "warthog", in fact, like we do "Rooks".

[newcomer]

Yes, we had options, as well as they did not escape.

[Hunter 2]

Yes, I also read about "Super Rook". But somehow there is no news on this topic

[hrych]

The politics of multiculturalism has failed The concept of versatility collapsed, and how good was the F-35 and a fighter, and a bomber, and an attack aircraft, and a carrier, including a vertical, in short, both a reaper and a dude And so, of course, the message of the article, about the density of fire directly on the battlefield and the complete instability of an unarmored fighter plane with unarmored fuel tanks and zero survivability when hit by bullets and especially shells.

[Alf]

Quote: hrych

And so, of course, the message of the article, about the density of fire directly on the battlefield and the complete instability of an unarmored fighter plane with unarmored fuel tanks and zero survivability when hit by bullets and especially shells.

This is if you do not take into account the preparation time for departure, the cost of a flight hour and the cost of the board itself, in which the penguin loses miserably.

[Paranoid50]

Quote: Hunter 2

read about "super Rook". But somehow there is no news on this topic

How not? And they wrote and showed. It seems that this video reports that the Rooks, stationed in Syria, were the first to be upgraded to CM3.

[newcomer]

Yes, but I did not mean the modernization of the 25th, but new machines, both from the SU and from the MIG.

[Paranoid50]

Quote: newbie

new machines, both from SU and MIG.

Duc, on the Su-57 they are testing the second stage dvigun - nothing newer has yet been rolled out, not counting the heavy S-70 UAV.
As with MIG: the 35th was launched, and then it is still quiet. On their official website, the 35th is positioned as the last development at this stage, not counting a number of modern. versions 29 and 31.
But somehow the language does not turn to call both cars "not new". And fresh developments by the flow method do not appear anywhere in the world - sometimes you have to wait for the next conceptually new machine for years, simultaneously modernizing the existing fleet.

[newcomer]

Colleague, I'm talking about stormtroopers. Specifically about the series of Sukhoi 54,55,56 cars; A MIG AT, which could become an attack aircraft, as well as an undeservedly removed from service MIG27_ a minimum of modernization manipulations_, we have an ideal attack aircraft.

[Bad_gr]

Quote: newbie

MIG AT, which could become an attack aircraft,

The MiG-AT was originally created only as a jet trainer aircraft, in the niche that was previously occupied, for example, by the L-29 Dolphin, was not planned for anything else.

[Vladimir Mashkov]

newbie, 12.53
However, some machines have great potential. And with the appropriate upgrades made on time, they are able to fulfill their intended purpose for a long time. And the designers of "Thunderbolt" managed to create just such a design. I especially like the layout of the engines.

[Paranoid50]

Quote: Hunter 2

"Warthog", in fact, like us "Rooks".

Duc, classmates, with solid experience, proven for decades, while holding their positions under the onslaught of the "new wave" - ​​UAVs. Alex,

[Hunter 2]

Greetings Alexander It is simply surprising that neither We nor the adversaries can make a new attack aircraft yet. In my opinion (a person far from aviation), our Su-25 will be more serious.
As for the UAV, you really have to change tactics.

[Paranoid50]

Quote: Hunter 2

We cannot make a new attack aircraft yet.

Duc, we're already. Another thing is that the program is long-term. I dropped the video in the previous post.

[spectr]

Most likely we are forced to modernize them, tk. The UAV was not brought to an acceptable level. And so, taking into account the fact that the reaction time of air defense systems decreases, attack aircraft can eventually turn into consumables.

[Volder]

Quote: Hunter 2

They cannot yet find a replacement for the "warthog", in fact, like we do "Rooks".

A possible successor is the Yak-130 combat trainer. You just need to modify it a little for the range of weapons and replace the radar.

[Alex777]

So they began to fasten these wings. With bombs.
18 bombs with a range of 70 km on moving targets is cool ...
One must be able to shoot them down before they reach 100 km.

[OgnennyiKotik]

We need to strengthen our aviation. We need more fighter-bombers of 4-5 generations, more AWACS aircraft, it is necessary to begin the development and production of unmanned jet aircraft. Ground-based air defense shows too little effectiveness.
F-15 can carry 28 GBU-53 / B, this is guaranteed destruction of ground air defense but extreme modifications С300 / 400

[Alf]

Quote: OgnennyiKotik

We need to strengthen our aviation. We need more fighter-bombers of 4-5 generations, more AWACS aircraft, it is necessary to begin the development and production of unmanned jet aircraft.

You tell the Siluanov that the army is going to be cut by 10%, it's expensive.

[OgnennyiKotik]

Quote: Alf

You tell the Siluanov that the army is going to be cut by 10%, it's expensive.

If drill is removed, the budget can be cut by 30 percent and will remain on aircraft.

[Volder]

Quote: OgnennyiKotik

Ground-based air defense shows too little effectiveness.

Why lie so openly? Google: Record rates of practical S-400 missile firing in 2020. Turkey has recently tested the S-400 delivered to it, and was satisfied with the result. And if you also remember how our air defense systems fight off drone attacks on the bases of Tartus and Khmeimim in Syria, then there will be no doubt about the high efficiency of ground air defense. The most important thing is the training and high discipline of the SAM operators. If the operators are unskilled and poorly disciplined, then even the most modern air defense system will not last long ...

[Deniso]

In the first minutes of the power confrontation, SMD missiles will not leave a stone on a stone on both sides of the border from airfields within reach of a missile strike, only radioactive craters and ruins. The American military-industrial complex wants to earn extra money - the flag is in their hands! But it has nothing to do with the prospects for a global collision. Not those times.

[silverwolf88]

We looked back ... but there are no new attack aircraft, and so far it is not expected ... despite years of debate about the nature of wars and the huge budgets of the Pentagon

[OgnennyiKotik]

I would not be surprised if the A-10 remains after 2035. The platform allows you to use it for any weapon and tactics.
GBU-39 is an extremely effective bomb with an optimal ratio of size, range and striking effect.

[Asad]

Solovyov with A-10 in a computer game showed a video like in “Karabakh”?

[Observer2014]

An attempt to replace the legendary attack aircraft with the fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II fighter failed, the new aircraft was not adapted to operate in conditions of saturated air defense.

What was required to prove. while UAVs in full capacity cannot replace the pilot. Americans can be anyone. But they have more than enough experience in combat. So until 2035 the "Warthog" will fly. And represent a very formidable force over the battlefield.

[Reserve buildbat]

Mattresses have practically no combat experience. But the experience of punitive operations is really more than enough.

[Observer2014]

Quote: stock buildbat

Mattresses have practically no combat experience. But the experience of punitive operations is really more than enough.

Yeah, well, of course, of course. Where, without patriotic intoxication, where there’s nothing at all. You’re probably such a patriot that you don’t wear jeans. And you don’t drink American soda out of patriotic feelings. And you don’t buy American candy on principle.
The Americans are fighting almost without interruption. And as you said, "punitive" operations are obtained by them against the background of the technological backwardness of countries with whom and against whom they openly fought. Because after Vietnam, they got used to not going into the open where they can get.

[Reserve buildbat]

What does patriotism have to do with it? Just where did the mattresses fight? Smeared into BB2, a bit in Korea, then a global shame in Vietnam. And what else? Only bandit attacks on obviously weak opponents and then with a lot of shameful episodes.

[Gordei]

Quote: stock buildbat

What does patriotism have to do with it? Just where did the mattresses fight? Smeared into BB2, a bit in Korea, then a global shame in Vietnam. And what else? Only bandit attacks on obviously weak opponents and then with a lot of shameful episodes.

Don't pay Ivan's attention to him .. This is his job
There, the insurgent is still coming up and other support groups
PS The most dangerous bandoute on the forum is her name "Mobius" ..

[Dangerous]

Uh, are you in WW2? Well, after the Japanese attack, it was hard not to "stick". Or the biggest naval battles don't count? As for experience, since 2001 amerovskie pilots have experience of daily combat missions.

[Reserve buildbat]

By WW2 I meant Europe. And combat missions since 2001 in polygon conditions with almost complete absence of opposition - yes! Heroism of the highest standard! Bombing weddings and hospitals is not for you to participate in battle, you need a special one here. Nasty matrasnaya)))

[Dangerous]

Ours in Syria also fly, nevertheless, gain invaluable experience. So it is with them. The conditions are the same. Why downgrade the abilities of a potential adversary? Fortunately, there will be no wars of the scale of WW2, so that army for army. So the pilots are fighting with the "Papuans"

[Whirlwind]

It is not necessary to belittle, but to forget who you are dealing with all the more ... In Syria, first of all, the course of the war in favor of Assad was changed by our attack aircraft. The Americans, who were uninvited before our appearance there, only created the appearance of a fight against the igil, and their aircraft, on the sly and on the sly, also helped the barmale ...

[Dangerous]

Well, they did a good job in the second Iraqi company, there was just a professional army there. Iraqi truth, but still. If ours had such experience, they would not have lost so many planes in Georgia (it concerns not so many pilots, but who planned the operations)

[Whirlwind]

Well, if the Yankees got into such a ... as our Army in the nineties and early zero, remember what kind of raid our pilots had, but poked their way into Iraq in this form, then they would not have, like we have in Georgia. It would be like they have in the Bay of Pigs in Cuba.
Ours, at the same time, at this fell swoop to Tbilisi, and only the howl of the Americans and the corresponding order stopped them.
But times are changing ...

[Terrible GMO]

Quote: Stroibat stock

Smeared into BB2

They began to prepare the ground for a land-lease for the USSR and Britain even before the outbreak of the war at 39, the first convoys set out in the first days after the declaration of war.
They completely knocked Japan out of the entire Pacific theater of operations and turned one of the largest fleets in the world into a heap of scrap.
Together with Britain, the Italians were driven out, forcing the Germans to hastily rip off the divisions from the front. At the very least, they pinned down a lot of divisions on the Atlantic rampart and destroyed German industry.

And it is not surprising that they did not land in France in 41/42. When there was actually no army in the country before Are you smeared?

Quote: Stroibat stock

a bit in Korea

A bit? The US Armed Forces is the only reason why North Korea did not finally throw the Southerners into the sea. If China had not sent many hundreds of thousands of soldiers (if not millions) there would have been no DPRK. Would have passed 38 and would not have noticed.

Quote: Stroibat stock

then a global shame in Vietnam

The American public, not the army, lost the war. What to do, not everyone wants their sons to return home in coffins so that some Asian farmers are not under the control of the communists.

The Americans have always beaten the North Vietnamese army and militias. Without pushing the public with the demand for the withdrawal of troops, there would be no Vietnam. There are more bombs than people.
This is a fact.

Quote: Stroibat stock

Only bandit attacks on obviously weak opponents

Like Iraq, huh? But he was the strongest in the region.

[Ascold1901]

"... the first convoys set off in the first days after the declaration of war" What are you talking about?
However, the USSR was included in the Lend-Lease program only in October-November 1941. The first (Moscow) protocol, signed on October 1, 1941, provided for the supply of aircraft (fighters and bombers), tanks, anti-tank and anti-aircraft guns, trucks, as well as aluminum, toluene, TNT, oil products, wheat and sugar.

[Terrible GMO]

Quote: Ascold1901

However, the USSR was included in the Lend-Lease program only in October-November 1941.

Read the series of articles about Lend-Lease here, all such points are explained there.

[Dodikson]

and again kakly confuse warm with soft.
what does the war and gum with coca cola have to do with it?
let them refuse everything that uses radio waves, and this is telephony and television, and all sorts of wai fai. our first connected 2 computers, that is, computer networks, too, let them write off.
and we had our own computers.
by the way. let them not use chemistry, nevertheless the periodic table, not Mendel's.
and let them not eat bread mattresses, they didn’t come up with it, they don’t use the car, they didn’t come up with it, and electricity was not "invented" / openly by them. so let them sit by the candles. Ah yes, and candles are also not their invention.
And the main thing is that he himself admits that mattresses only climb to those who are weaker than them, but still convinces that mattresses do not win in punitive wars, but almost win in equal battles.

[Volder]

Quote: Observer2014

Americans are fighting almost without interruption.

Yeah, we know how they "fought" in Syria before the arrival of the Russian Aerospace Forces. From 2011 to 2015, ISIS, instead of shrinking in size, on the contrary, expanded. Their attack aircraft A-10 Thunderbolt is absolutely not suitable for use against Russia and its layered air defense system.

[Deniso]

What kind of modernization is there! A plausible pretext for cutting a piece of the military budget.

[rotmistr60]

will allow him to be in service until at least 2035

And they tried to write it off several times. That's right - why write off something that has proven itself excellent and there is no better one yet.

[the Saint]

Cool and still unsurpassed in its class aircraft, which has fascinated me for several decades.

[Gordei]

So what is legendary? To bomb Arabs with Afghans ..

[Terrible GMO]

Quote: Gordei

So what is legendary? To bomb Arabs with Afghans ..

Can't you say the same about the SU-25? But they do the same. And the goals are the same

[Nikolaevich I]

Yoksel-moxel! Quite recently I read that the "days" of the A-10 and Su-25 attack aircraft are numbered! Yes, what the ethno is going on! ? They will promise one thing, and then once (!) ... and another! There is no stability! And moreover, not for the first time!

[Interlocutor]

Yoksel-moxel! Quite recently I read that the "days" of the A-10 and Su-25 attack aircraft are numbered! Yes, what the ethno is going on! ? They will promise one thing, and then once (!) ... and another! There is no stability! And moreover, not for the first time!

In in. it is so easy to add up and change opinions (including public opinion)

[Gordei]

Quote: Nikolaevich I

Yoksel-moxel! Quite recently I read that the "days" of the A-10 and Su-25 attack aircraft are numbered! Yes, what the ethno is going on! ? They will promise one thing, and then once (!) ... and another! There is no stability! And moreover, not for the first time!

There is no point in creating new ones in the new strategy of the military world .. They will wet right away!

[Zaurbek]

This is the answer to "Pantsiri" and "Torah" ...... and something similar should be done with the Su25.

[Dodikson]

Rook modernization up to CM3.
only there is an emphasis on SD and not on UAB.

[Zaurbek]

We need small-caliber bombs and missiles with good accuracy. Something similar was shown on the basis of warhead missiles from Grda for the Orion UAV

[ancient]

Quote: Zaurbek

and something similar should be done with the Su25.

Long ago made and flew ..... Su-25T, TC and TM (Su-39).

[karpusha]

But how much? And whirlwind missiles have already appeared in the troops? And what about integration with battlefield informatization systems? Digital map with satellite navigation? Bombs that can be dropped outside the air defense zone and guided by gps or laser? And all this is in the a10 modification C already in service with the United States. There are more than 200 such aircraft. And we have su25t in piece form. CM is a modification of the previous day. Smart ammunition is still or not, in principle or in piece form. And we still see how su25 works on the ground with simple plank beds. While the Americans have even pumped bunks to laser guidance on the last leg of the flight. And now they want to upgrade their cars even more.

[Zaurbek]

It needs to be redone already .... based on modern electronics and weapons.

[sabakina]

Legendary American attack aircraft A-10 Thunderbolt II

Excuse me, but what is the legendary flying gun? Beating babies?

[sabakina]

Judging by the cons. put directly from the Pentagon. But that's not important to me. but it is important what the minusers argue for!

[karpusha]

In ammunition nomenclature and ground work capabilities. The A10 essentially replaces both the Cy25 and Cy34 at the same time.

[Zaurbek]

Well, no ...... The working "organ" of the A10 was originally a 30mm projectile, while the Su25 had an 80mm Nurse .... and now the A10 is drifting towards missile armament.

[karpusha]

It looks like you are not in the subject. The A10, already in its current modifications, is more of a platform for high-precision ammunition. More bombs than missiles.

[Zaurbek]

The main caliber is still Rockets ... Helfire and Something with TV guidance ........

[Alexey RA]

Quote: Zaurbek

The main caliber is still Rockets ... Helfire and Something with TV guidance ........

Initially, pomnitsa, the "warthog" carried the "Mavericks".

[Zomanus]

Yes. precisely in this very. Well, in general, they promoted him well.

[Koval Sergey]

The GBU-39 has a range of 110 km. Good result for a glide bomb. We have achieved so far only with missile weapons.

[Zaurbek]

And from what height? Didn't write?

[Oleg Bykov]

"After being dropped, the bomb opens its wings and can glide over 100 kilometers - provided it was thrown from a height of 10 kilometers at supersonic speed." - this is clearly not about the A-10

[Zaurbek]

There are already analogues in different calibers ..... for aircraft and UAVs

[Thrifty]

A10 in my opinion, even f35 will "survive" in the us army! Here's a refutation of the thesis that the best is the enemy of the good! For the "best" f35 without armor is a parody of a GOOD attack aircraft, and indeed, a parody of an airplane! !!

[IS-80_RVGK2]

So the F-35 was not planned as an attack aircraft. And yet, yes, it is much more expensive. Therefore, we naturally chose to keep the A-10.

[Alexey RA]

Quote: IS-80_RVGK2

So the F-35 was not planned as an attack aircraft. And yet, yes, it is much more expensive. Therefore, we naturally chose to keep the A-10.

Nevertheless, it was planned to replace the A-10 with the F-35. True, the Air Force eventually changed their minds and demanded before this to test the F-35, in which he had to complete all the tasks assigned to the A-10.

[IS-80_RVGK2]

I've read about it. But as I understand it, it was not about a direct replacement of one with the other. After all, as I understand it, the F-35 is about a long arm, not an IL-2-style melee. Although, of course, I did not really delve into this issue.

[OgnennyiKotik]

Quote: Thrifty

no armor is a parody of a GOOD stormtrooper

Armor now does not play any role for the A-10. It has long turned into a platform for guided weapons. Probably, there are no unguided rockets and bombs in the warheads. They are too expensive for them.

[Thrifty]

Fiery cat - let's say A10 has worked on targets, empty (without ammunition) flies home, and then, from behind the clouds, a couple of enemy fighters to meet. ... you say armor doesn't matter? Played and will play the main role - increased survivability of the aircraft, this is the life of the crew too !!!

[IS-80_RVGK2]

Yeah. "We are driving across the steppe, and there are tanks around the corner." In this situation, no armor will save. He will be stupidly shot as in a shooting gallery. Well, except that the fighter pilots will be frankly crooked.

[Alexey RA]

Quote: OgnennyiKotik

Armor now does not play any role for the A-10. It has long turned into a platform for guided weapons.

In the theories of the Pentagon dreamers who dreamed of replacing the A-10 with the F-35 - yes.
But on the video from Afghanistan and the Middle East, you can hear the characteristic br-r-r-r-r-rt every now and then. It is expensive, however, to shoot URO at the Chinese DShK and five robes around it - so the gun will still show itself.

[Zomanus]

Great plane. I am glad that the veteran was not written off.

[Volder]

Quote: Zomanus

Great plane. I am glad that the veteran was not written off.

You are probably just as glad you didn't write off the Russian veteran Su-25 Grach. Yes?

[svoit]

Quote: Thrifty

and then from behind the clouds a couple of enemy fighters to meet. ... you say armor doesn't matter?

And how will she help him in this case? He has armor in case of any ZSU-23, maybe -57, and even then it is not clear how he will face them.

[Deniso]

Interestingly, and in the United States in the know that the plane consists not only of wings, sensors and radar?
Upgrading an airplane that has been in a landfill for a couple of decades means replacing almost the entire interior, i.e. only the glider will remain (without wings) and maybe some spare parts can still be used ..
So the cost of such repairs will be slightly less than the construction of new ones. Yes, cheaper, but only slightly. And how long will this 999 million be enough? a couple of dozen ..
And this is the best case. How many times has the value of Ф35 grown? The same will happen with ThunderBolts.

[voyaka uh]

This is what the American dump looks like.
In a desert with a perfectly dry climate, where it never rains.

All air intakes and other openings are filled with polyurethane or special films.

[Alexey RA]

Quote: voyaka uh

This is what the American dump looks like.
In a desert with a perfectly dry climate, where it never rains.

EMNIP, the same base is the training center for ground attack aircraft. So the A-10 always has spare parts at hand.

[bk0010]

It is strange that the engines do not change to new ones and the main cannon is something lighter.

[Shiden]

And here there are no oddities, reliable civilian engines and the cannon can come in handy if you need to knock out a fortified object. In my opinion, the Americans relied on simple technical support, which is relevant for a battlefield aircraft.

[Alexey RA]

Quote: bk0010

It is strange that the engines do not change to new ones and the main cannon is something lighter.

On the A-10, in order to change the gun, you need to redo the entire nose. They built it around the cannon.

[bk0010]

Quote: Alexey RA

the whole nose needs to be redone

That's it: the nose is freed (under the radar, for example) and 1800 kg of mass, a chic option, if you are not lazy.

[agoran]

It was already mentioned here about the MiG-27, a completely normal c-t.
GSh-6/30, Kaira, armored linings on the sides of the cockpit, but someone promoted the idea of ​​two engines on board.
The same tasks that the Su-24 perform in Syria, the MiG-27 could perform more efficiently.

[motorized rifle]

Author:

The updated attack aircraft will be able to carry up to 18 winged mini-bombs weighing 113 kg each, capable of striking stationary equipment at a distance of 110 km and moving at a distance of 70 km from the drop point. This will make it possible not to enter the area of ​​operation of the enemy's mobile air defense installations. It is also reported that the use of guided bombs GBU-39 is much cheaper than the use of guided missiles with the same capabilities.

Strange, but what prevents the F-35 from throwing such bombs? Why does he need armor like the "legendary," at a distance of 70-110 km from the enemy's air defense systems?

[engineer74]

Judging by the title, I thought they would change the cannon to the railgun. And here again, American folk fun - the release of an actually new aircraft to dress up the old ones.

[Growlers]

Author!! Explain why, if not US, it is necessarily "legendary"? I understand for example the T-34 is a legendary tank. And what is legendary about "Abrams" and "Warthog" 7 Just promotion in the media by American agitprop and nothing more. The question is who do you work for?