General Discussion

zipplewrath

(16,698 posts)

24. Tanks are next

Wed Nov 20, 2013, 01:00 PM

Nov 2013

Truth is, the day of the tank is coming to an end. At least in the sense of a tank meant to combat another tank. We don't really attack tanks with tanks anymore, we use aircraft. Tanks are becoming mobile artillary and don't need the same size, speed, or armor.

In some ways you're right about the A-10. It's role as a tank killer isn't all that useful. We have many ways to kill a tank, and not that many tanks to kill. I do wonder though if it could not be configured to be an excellent ground support/attack aircraft by merely modifying it to handle all of the weapons that Apache's currently have. The A-10 has better defenses than an Apache and I believe has better range too.

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Cold War-era 'Warthog' plane targeted for retirement amid budget cuts [View all] Zorro Nov 2013 OP

This is going to upset the US Army the most MrScorpio Nov 2013 #1

Correct... Decaffeinated Nov 2013 #8

This is one wild looking aircraft. JimboBillyBubbaBob Nov 2013 #2

dumb move ragemage Nov 2013 #3

Message auto-removed Name removed Nov 2013 #44

welcome to DU gopiscrap Nov 2013 #47

Wow, interesting post. chknltl Nov 2013 #49

It appears as though Milton has gone the way of the Dodo bird Cali_Democrat Nov 2013 #51

Was it my breath? chknltl Nov 2013 #53

Just picture a drone Boom Sound 416 Nov 2013 #4

During the cold war, Ranchemp. Nov 2013 #5

Part Air Force culture, part overemphasis on "multirole" JHB Nov 2013 #37

As a tanker, I have a certain affection and respect for the "tanker's friend", the Warthog. Aristus Nov 2013 #6

Tanks are next zipplewrath Nov 2013 #24

That's an interesting idea. Aristus Nov 2013 #26

Still deployed. Still busting Taliban ass. bluedeathray Nov 2013 #7

Last I checked, the Taliban don't have tanks tina tron Nov 2013 #11

The Taliban would occasionally capture tanks from the Soviets during their war then. Aristus Nov 2013 #12

You don't know what you're talking about. bluedeathray Nov 2013 #15

Wow. That was rather vicious of you. And completely unnecessary. Aristus Nov 2013 #19

I think you're mis-analyzing the post bluedeathray Nov 2013 #25

Wow, I didn't realize being in favor of retiring the A10 was tantamount to supporting the Taliban NuclearDem Nov 2013 #28

I was responding to the rah rah aspect of the reply bluedeathray Nov 2013 #33

I'm sorry... NeoGreen Nov 2013 #39

Please allow me to apologize bluedeathray Nov 2013 #50

If I had to choose one aircraft to keep tech3149 Nov 2013 #9

Bravo. Ranchemp. Nov 2013 #10

See my post above. Aristus Nov 2013 #13

You are wrong. bluedeathray Nov 2013 #17

Then it's time to come home from Kabul. Aristus Nov 2013 #21

Man, it's PAST time to come home bluedeathray Nov 2013 #31

Thank you for your post. Aristus Nov 2013 #32

Thank you for your insight. nt bluedeathray Nov 2013 #34

"In today's high-intensity, close-combat..." Chan790 Nov 2013 #41

Message auto-removed Name removed Nov 2013 #45

That and you need to knock out about half the aircraft before it feels uncomfortable Posteritatis Nov 2013 #54

Another feature of the A-10 is that it is extremely quiet at low speed PeoViejo Nov 2013 #60

The Air Force always hated the Warthog. bluedigger Nov 2013 #14

It was fun to use in Battlefield 3... Blue_Tires Nov 2013 #16

I got targeted by one. Damn scary. lastlib Nov 2013 #18

Tough as nails... bobclark86 Nov 2013 #20

They built the aircraft AROUND the gun! A HERETIC I AM Nov 2013 #57

Dammit! We need more P-38's, too (poster): grahamhgreen Nov 2013 #22

I was a Crash Fire and Rescue Firefighter in the Air Force Puzzledtraveller Nov 2013 #23

Good God, don't let any of the Bones pilots hear you say that. NuclearDem Nov 2013 #29

They are fun to watch Puzzledtraveller Nov 2013 #38

I'd rather get rid of the B-1s before the A-10. MicaelS Nov 2013 #35

The biggest problem with this plane Turbineguy Nov 2013 #27

Incredibly bad idea. NuclearDem Nov 2013 #30

Killing the Warthog is strike three... catnhatnh Nov 2013 #36

They can't be made anymore. clffrdjk Nov 2013 #42

Message auto-removed Name removed Nov 2013 #46

Here's an idea: get rid of the B-1 instead JHB Nov 2013 #40

They're a major part of the local air guard's mission IDemo Nov 2013 #43

Does it still use depleted uranium rounds? chknltl Nov 2013 #48

The Gau-8 can fire other types of 30mm Ammunition PeoViejo Nov 2013 #55

Yes, I knew it could but i am concerned about the DU rounds chknltl Nov 2013 #56

That's an issue with the command structure PeoViejo Nov 2013 #58

I fully agree chknltl Nov 2013 #59

The Air Force wanted to get rid of the A-10 before the first Gulf War Gothmog Nov 2013 #52