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During the Vietnam War, infantry units would call in bombers from distant bases even when
one soldier needed fire support.
The US soon after began their new combat aircraft program.
Thus, close air support was born.
Modern air forces have typically focused their efforts on improving the capabilities of their
fighter-bombers and strategic bombers for precision strikes.
But, as recent battles in Syria, Iraq, and Ukraine have shown, specialized attack aircraft
still play an important role.
Today we’re going to look at the modern aircraft that fulfill the old role of attack
planes.
One of them will be familiar to you; it’s been in service since the days of Vietnam.
Another has yet to take on its first combat mission.
And the rest you may be hearing about for the first time.
The A-10 In the late 1960s, there was a bit of a disagreement
between the US Army and the US Air Force.
Both service branches were developing aircraft for close air support.
The army subsequently brought forth the Cheyenne helicopter, and the Air Force developed the
AX program.
Problems with the Cheyenne, in combination with the AX’s potential, eventually led
to the aircraft being built around the GAU-8 heavy gun.
This is the most powerful aircraft gun in the world.
The GAU-8 fires 14oz, high-explosive rounds, as well as armor-piercing ammunition with
uranium cores.
The gun has a rate of fire of 4200 rounds per minute - just imagine the recoil it must
have.
Besides its GAU-8 autocannon mounted in the nose, the Warthog can attack with AGM-65 Maverick
air-to-surface missiles and Sidewinder air-to-air heat-seeking rockets.
More recently, the aircraft has been given another upgrade.
Its wings have become more durable and efficient than the previous ones.
Back in August 2019, a $999 million contract was signed with Boeing for the production
and supply of these wings, including spare parts for them.
This will significantly increase the service life of the aircraft, adding up to 10,000
flight hours to the old A-10s.
For aiming their arsenal, pilots use a heads-up display that indicates airspeed, altitude,
dive angle, and navigational information.
At the touch of a button, the pilot can point the gun at various targets, and the aircraft
provides feedback regarding whether it can successfully strike the intended targets simultaneously.
Since its introduction, the A-10 has been repeatedly modernized and upgraded with modern
avionics, including improved GPS navigation.
However, the plane’s basic design has remained unchanged.
To reduce the potential for damage to the fuel system, all four fuel tanks are located
near the center of the aircraft and separated from the fuselage.
The A-10’s reliability was demonstrated on April 7, 2003, when Captain Kim Campbell’s
plane was severely damaged by anti-aircraft artillery over Baghdad.
Despite a dead engine and damaged hydraulic system, Campbell flew the plane manually for
almost an hour before landing safely at the airfield.
This plane also plays a special role in search and rescue operations due to its sturdy armor,
which makes it suitable for picking up wounded soldiers in any combat conditions.
However, the A-10’s suitability is the subject of frequent debate.
Nevertheless, the Air Force’s frequent upgrades to the aircraft suggest that it is still needed,
despite its age.
What do you think will be the Warthog’s fate?
Write your answer in the comments.
Let’s continue...
The Super Tucano Not many people have heard of the Brazilian
Super Tucano.
It’s a light turboprop attack aircraft designed and built by Embraer.
On the outside, this is a modest aircraft that’s easy to maintain and fly.
However, it provides a distinct advantage in small civilian skirmishes and has quickly
gained popularity abroad.
For example, the Dominican Air Force uses the Super Tucano to fight drug trafficking,
and in Indonesia, the aircraft helps hunt pirates.
The upgradeable Super Tucano A-29 is specifically designed for air-to-ground operations and
allows for weaponry to be delivered at a speed of 320 miles per hour.
Its armor consists of Kevlar, and the cabin is resistant to penetration by projectiles
up to 12.7 mm caliber.
The aircraft's wings are capable of carrying a variety of munitions, including Giat NC621
20mm cannon pods, air-to-air missiles, and various types of bombs.
An important feature of the A-29 is its very low signature.
The aircraft is also equipped with a wide range of defensive systems for preventing
detection.
The radio communication system uses channel encryption, allowing it to securely transmit
and receive data between the aircraft and ground equipment.
The A-29 Super Tucano is a field-proven platform that is exported to 16 air forces around the
world, including to the US.
In addition to its production in Brazil, Embraer has also teamed up with the Sierra Nevada
Corporation to create a production line of the A-29 in the United States.
The Lockheed AC-130 The Lockheed AC-130 is a highly modified and
armed version of the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft that first took to the skies back
in 1954.
The AC-130 has an unpressurized cockpit and is equipped with a number of guns mounted
on the port side.
To attack, this warship performs a large circular turn, allowing it to aim and fire at its target
for much longer than a normal attack.
The AC-130’s armament has changed significantly over the years as it has undergone various
upgrades.
Today’s improved versions are armed with a single 30mm GAU-23/A automatic cannon.
Some units feature a 105mm M102 howitzer.
Upgraded versions can also carry a wide range of ammunition, including AGM-176, GBU-44/B
rockets, and GBU-39 and GBU-53 small diameter bombs
Due to a number of limiting factors such as its large profile, low operating altitude,
and lack of stealth capabilities, the aircraft is very vulnerable and completely helpless
against enemy fighters or a serious air defense network.
So, at least for the time being, it can only be used after air superiority has already
been established.
But in its heyday, the AC-130 could circle an enemy position indefinitely, delivering
heavy artillery fire using a wide variety of munitions.
The plane would watch the battlefield and destroy anything that moved.
The AC-130 has seen action in Vietnam, the Gulf War, the Yugoslav conflict, the war in
Iraq, and operations in Afghanistan.
To put it simply, this aircraft has an impressive track record.
At present, the AC-130 and A-10 Thunderbolt are both on the decline.
They are definitely outdated, and as the world continues to change, these once glorious combat
platforms are being deployed less and less.
However, they are still in service and are expected to last another 50 years or so, as
long as they stay on schedule with the latest upgrades.
The Scorpion This machine was specifically designed to
meet the needs of the US National Guard and export customers.
The light attack aircraft is a budget alternative for small foreign militaries that require
tactical aircraft but can’t afford expensive high-end models.
The Scorpion is a two-seat, twin-jet aircraft with an all-composite fuselage.
The aircraft is designed for low threat missions including light attack, reconnaissance, and
air patrol.
With the exception of the landing gear and engine mounts, the Scorpion’s airframe is
all-composite and is designed for 20,000 hours of service.
Its 47-ft long wings have virtually no sweep and are equipped with six hardpoints.
The aircraft’s modular design allows for the wings to be removed and replaced with
other wing designs.
Depending on requirements of a given mission, the Scorpion’s internal compartment can
be configured to house weapons, sensors, or fuel.
Its six external hardpoints can be used for various weapons like artillery mounts, rockets,
and bombs.
This aircraft can carry laser or GPS guided precision munitions.
It has a 3,000-lb internal load capacity while an additional 3,100 lbs of ammunition can
be carried on the outside.
The Scorpion can reach a top speed of 515 mph and has a flight range of 2500 miles.
The aircraft is said to be strong enough to withstand minimal damage.
It has a retractable nose support for threat detection using opto-electronic and infrared
sensors.
When not in use, the system retracts into the nose to minimize drag during flight.
With its maiden flight in 2013, the Scorpion filled the gap between light turboprops and
expensive jet-powered ground attack aircraft.
The developers claim that the Scorpion only costs $3,000 per flight hour.
Not a single Western turbojet attack aircraft can even come close to this figure.
For comparison, the flight hour of an F-16 costs $25,000.
The actual Scorpion unit itself is expected to have a price tag of less than $20 million.
That’s less than an upgraded A-10 or F-16.
There is definitely an important niche to be filled in the military world by the American
Scorpion.
The air force has long been reluctant to acquire “small” aircraft that perform essential
functions but don’t have the same prestige and glamor as large fighters.
However, given the rapidly rising cost of fighters and the fact that many air forces
are desperate for specialized strike aircraft to maintain internal order and patrol their
borders, the Scorpion and Super Tucano are sure to see a rise in popularity.
That's all for today.
We hope you enjoyed the video.
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in combat?
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