pony251
I make brown look good
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2002
- Posts
- 109
CAS
In defense of other platforms (b-52's, 16's, 15's, etc.), as long as a bomb goes where it is needed, then all is well. A grunt doesn't care if it is a JDAM or a GP. THe definition of CAS has expanded greatly in the last few years. I have no doubt that any mudhen or vipers driver worth his salt would break ROE and go below a hard deck if he had to in order to save the day. Also, the hog community does not have the through the wx capability (GPS weapons) that these platforms possess. That being said, there is a definite advantage in not having to play the high altitude GPS and FLIR game. A pilot gains much more SA (and risk) flying lower and slower over the target area. The loiter time is another huge plus. A hog can spend an hour picking out correct targets to destroy with all the weapons at its disposal. However, these skills must be practiced all the time and that is why the Hog is king in the CAS arena. You need to be more than a part time player to be good at it. This is especially true when the FAC can't give you a GPS quality location or have the time to talk your FLIR onto the bad guys. Sometimes you need to get down and dirty and slug it out face to face. Another factor is that the loss of an A-10 is seen as more preferable than the loss of a viper or mudhen. We are definitely the red headed stepchild of the AF. I have no problem with the viper guys making their one pass and haul a** to destroy targets and then keeping the DCA CAP going. The Hog will stick around and clean up what's left. If were still flyin and bad guys are dyin life is good for all.
In defense of other platforms (b-52's, 16's, 15's, etc.), as long as a bomb goes where it is needed, then all is well. A grunt doesn't care if it is a JDAM or a GP. THe definition of CAS has expanded greatly in the last few years. I have no doubt that any mudhen or vipers driver worth his salt would break ROE and go below a hard deck if he had to in order to save the day. Also, the hog community does not have the through the wx capability (GPS weapons) that these platforms possess. That being said, there is a definite advantage in not having to play the high altitude GPS and FLIR game. A pilot gains much more SA (and risk) flying lower and slower over the target area. The loiter time is another huge plus. A hog can spend an hour picking out correct targets to destroy with all the weapons at its disposal. However, these skills must be practiced all the time and that is why the Hog is king in the CAS arena. You need to be more than a part time player to be good at it. This is especially true when the FAC can't give you a GPS quality location or have the time to talk your FLIR onto the bad guys. Sometimes you need to get down and dirty and slug it out face to face. Another factor is that the loss of an A-10 is seen as more preferable than the loss of a viper or mudhen. We are definitely the red headed stepchild of the AF. I have no problem with the viper guys making their one pass and haul a** to destroy targets and then keeping the DCA CAP going. The Hog will stick around and clean up what's left. If were still flyin and bad guys are dyin life is good for all.
