044 - A-10 Thunderbolt II

BRRRRRRTTTTTT!!!
The sound of an aircraft cannon firing is simultaneously exhilarating and terrifying, depending on which side of the barrels a person finds themselves. And while most combat aircraft have featured guns and cannons since the dawn of aerial battle, no aircraft is more known for-or respected for-its gun than the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt ll and it’s tank-busting 30mm GAU-8 Avenger cannon.
On this episode, retired US Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Luke “Supa” Fricke joins the Fighter Pilot Podcast to discuss the purpose-built Warthog-as the pilots affectionately refer to it-and answers all our usual questions featured in the ongoing ‘aircraft series.’ As an added bonus to this discussion for DCS players in the audience five copies of the Enemy Within 3.0 campaign created by team member Baltic Dragon will be given away.
Enter the competition here:
bit.ly/enemy30
During the listener questions segment, we discuss aircraft carrier alert postures, officer-enlisted relationships, and the rudder’s importance in ACM.
New episode bumper announcements provided by Clint Bell. Music by Jaime Lopez. Artwork by Janek Krause.

[@CraigBaumer]

Can't wait to listen I was a A-10 Crew Chief for 22 years 79-0175 was my jet!

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Thanks for your service, Craig. I hope we did the Warthog justice!

[@TitusFFM]

Do you have any cool story about the A 10 from the Crew Chef perspective. Greetings from Poland.

[@redmonkeyass26]

nice jet. www.airfighters.com/photo_9999_61940.jpg

[@billdewahl7007]

Thank you for your service and I'm sure a warthog pilot around here somewhere appreciates you letting him take your jet out from time to time.

[@RedondoBeach2]

345th, 25th and 81st.

[@invictus-defense]

I was on the ground in the 'ghan in '07 with 1st Bat 75th Rgr Regt. We had A-10's save our butts on multiple occasions. I have memories of being pinned down, with A-10s coming in and doing strafing runs. Hogs were killers man. Thanks to you Supa, and all your boys in country in '07. The Rangers are fans! RLTW

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Righteous.

[@Vardeth805]

That scorpion HMD is a thing of beauty. Literally transforming the way that our guys are conducting the CAS mission for the grunts is the ground. I know there are a few F-16 units with the same hardware (Alabama ANG; block 30 units I think). It’s a shame the navy never integrated it seeing as how important he CAS mission has become on today’s battlefield. The ability to literally look and spot with the TGP and say, slave a maverick to it, is a powerful tool indeed. Thanks for another great interview guys.

[@kilo-mn5md]

I was in the Army and crewed M1s for 10 yrs. As a ground pounder, you guys gotta a special place in our hearts.

[@jonathanbaird8109]

For those who haven't read it, "A-10s over Kosovo" is a great read. It's a collection of stories from the pilots of the 81st FS who flew in OAF. One of the stories included is the recovery of Vega 31 as told by one of the Sandys that flew the mission, as Supa mentioned here. The survivor was west of the suburbs of Belgrade, the Air Force helos got the wrong departure time from the CAOC, one of the on-scene commanders had a UHF radio failure and had to pass all his comms through -2, and to make matters worse, the weather was bad. Through all of it, 81st Sandys stayed with the survivor from essentially start to finish and got their guy back. Really an incredible story, and I think it's proof that, whether it's CAS or CSAR or AFACing, the A-10 does it best.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Epic!

[@michaelmulligan0]

Sandy as in Skyraider? Where they still around for Kosovo?

[@jonathanbaird8109]

@@michaelmulligan0 The skyraider wasn't, no. The callsign persisted and was carried over once the A-10 assumed the CSAR lead role.

[@Deceter]

44 my favourite number, A10 my favourite A/C! You guys rock!

[@Tiber234]

Love Supa's enthusiasm - he still sounds sssso buzzed and excited with the A10. Love the A10C (Hog Boyz!!) its my go-to in DCS glad to hear that they'll be around till 2030.

[@LRRPFco52]

F-105Ds were mostly lost in the North on deep strike missions, not doing CAS in the South. The main reasons for high loss rates were ROE preventing Thuds from bombing SAM sites and MiG bases when initially set-in. SAMs and AAA up north wreaked havoc on Thuds flying under LBJ's ROE. I'm not aware of a loss rate of Thuds relevant to CAS in the South.

[@robertmackay4613]

LRRPFco52 CAS in the South was handled by the F-100D Super Sabers due to their short range.

[@LRRPFco52]

@@robertmackay4613 Roger. And A-37Bs, A-1s, F-5As. All of these had pros and cons for CAS in the South. A-1s were used for CSAR in the North, as well as CAS in Laos. F-4s took over the F-105D strike missions since they could carry A2G payload and defend themselves better against MiGs. USMC used F-4s for CAS a lot, and their loss ratio to ADA reflects that. A-7Ds were brought in later to provide CAS, as well as CSAR support.

[@archer8492]

I loved this episode, not only is the A-10 a fascinating and impressive aircraft but Supa was great and he and Jell-O seemed to really enjoy their discussion and got a great back and forth going. I'd love to hear him back on any future episodes where he could contribute!

[@florianb.553]

Wow that hog driver is a cool dude. Loved that episode. Keep the good work coming! You guys rock

[@Vlerkies]

Awesome, thanks Jello/Sunshine for getting this up, been looking forward to it since you guys mentioned it last year. Big thanks to Supa for taking the time.

[@SOSchangedme]

The A -10 was even legendary in GI JOE! Every time it came on the screen, there was a feeling of reverence and respect.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

💪

[@MrTizzl]

Big love from Belgium!

[@simflier8298]

Great interview! Now I really love and respect the A-10 and its drivers

[@samivwow]

Ah, my favorite aircraft ever... the F/A-10C (Fihgter/Attack), DCS dudes will know what I mean ;) Thanks for bringing it in ! I started DCS with the Hawg back in 2012, still my favorite platforms

[@Vietnam_Chr0nicles]

This plane is every infantry man's love. A guardian angel

[@bulldog282]

One of the best episodes to date! FPP just gets better and better!

[@svmik]

I can't believe you guys didn't mention "Terminator: Salvation" with one VERY attractive A-10 pilot :-)

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Oops!

[@DJones476]

On March 22nd, be sure to wish Martha McSally a Happy Brrrrrrrt Day!

[@gb7418]

So glad I finally listened to this. My interest in the Air Force/ fighters has progressed slowly from high level down closer and closer to the ground. Time to start listening to more heli and support aircraft episodes...

[@alexvan1622]

Superman: man of steel, is a really good highlight of A10C in a movie

[@LRRPFco52]

Love the discussion about the HMS and data linking with sequential TGT coordination and how that changes things when used with TGTing Pod laser and helmet-cued steering.

[@lukefricke2968]

LRRPFco52 lantern is a thing of the past. Today’s targeting pods like the litening and sniper pods are light years ahead and keep improving every year.

[@LRRPFco52]

@@lukefricke2968 Tracking that. They developed LANTIRN when I was a kid in the 1980s, and I'm aware of the generational developments to SNIPER and LITENING. I used LANTIRN as a general reference to a modern Targrting pod, but should have said SNIPER or LITENING. Thanks for pointing it out though. There was an A-10 all weather/night strike proposal back in the 80s with 2 crew, LANTIRN, glass cockpits, advanced INS, but it never went anywhere. Too slow, not survivable.

[@lukefricke2968]

LRRPFco52 the 2 seater was not a necessary thing as the cost was high and as technology improved the need for another crew member went away. We did night CAS in the A10A and did it VERY well. With the A10C we added even more situational awareness and precision capability. As for strike, doesn’t matter how many you put in the cockpit, the A10 was not designed for that. I am VERY glad the B model was never implemented. It would have made our job harder not easier. And NEVER having another person on board was one of my favorite things about the A10. As for survivability, different aircraft are more survivable based on lots of different things. For MANY CAS battlefields, even modern ones, the A10 is more survivable than nearly anything else. For a deep strike mission, not so much. It wasn’t designed for that. Do remember, it was 4 A10s who escorted helicopters in to a VERY highly defended area that just shot down an F117 to help recover the pilot. The Hawg is more survivable than it gets credit for.

[@LRRPFco52]

@@lukefricke2968 In the A model at night, did that depend primarily on using the AGM-65 optics for SA? What about NAV? Instruments plus NODs and handheld GPS on a legboard? For the Vega 31 CSAR mission, I can see A-10 armed escort for the MH-53s along with fighter coverage as an overall CSAR package, similar to how A-1s and A-7Ds were allocated for that in SEA. Do you know if A-10 drivers got eyes-on Zelko's position before the 53s rolled in? I've been exfilled by -53Js before and really liked the platform. Very fast bird with a lot of power. Thanks for your insight.

[@lukefricke2968]

LRRPFco52 in desert storm Hawg pilots used IR maverick for search at night. That was before my time. By the time I went to combat in the A-10A we all had tons of NVG experience, litening AT TGPs, and for navigation.....embedded GPS/INS system so navigation just wasn’t an issue. I never worked with the 53s. I worked a lot with 60s and chinooks. And of course JAAT with the apaches. All cool platforms but while escorting I liked the chinooks the best. They were the fastest and could handle the high elevations in the mountains.

[@jeffreyphipps5099]

I’m new to the podcast but this was one of my favorites. Too bad body got Supa to sing the Korea A-10 version of ‘American Pie’!

[@Iggy1219]

I’m so glad I came across your channel and especially this episode. I have loved the A-10 my entire life, I see them every day just about flying over my house, flying out of Selfridge ANGB in Michigan.

[@gweggorz]

Another fascinating interview. Thanks guys!

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

You're welcome!

[@Pricklyhedgehog72]

So much great content in this channel, even going over old interviews I pick up nuggets to transition into a certain flight sim...

[@varmint87]

I live in fort Smith Arkansas and I miss seeing the 188th ANG fly them low level around town.

[@samivwow]

Some new engines (with new technologies) would really benefit the Hawg. More umph for less fuel would be great

[@terryboyer1342]

Like Col Fricke said uprated engines are available off the shelf but they just won't fund them. They would greatly improve climb and turn performance.

[@VitorMoura]

Not by much... TF34 SFC is very low, as low as airliner engines. Around 0.380 lbs/lbf/h.

[@lukefricke2968]

Vitor Moura it would add quite a bit of performance compared to the current engines.

[@Lysurgic]

great job as always!

[@RCAvhstape]

In popular culture: A-10's were used by the resistance to fight Skynet in the film Terminator: Salvation. Also, back in the 80s cartoon GI Joe, the bad guy organization "Cobra" used jets that were obviously based on the A-10, except they had 3 engines and could do VTOL and other magic tricks.

[@tabascoindy5005]

Saw A10 performing in Indianapolis Air Show and was totally thrilled. Took the picture standing right under the gun holdung with both hands. This plane stands out in the crowd👺

[@slyfer5321]

Wow..just finished the podcast that was solid

[@michaelmulligan0]

Brilliant interview

[@matk4731]

Love the intro music. Wish Australia had brought some of these beasts. Maybe the U.S will bring a couple to Darwin with a annual troop rotation so I can drool over one in person . One of my favorite aircraft. All you A-10 guys are bloody legends. The Grunts of the sky.

[@Vietnam_Chr0nicles]

Just discovered your channel. Amazing work shipmate

[@ConnyYngve]

Thank you for another good episode! As a Sweden I hope you one day can do an episode on a Saab plane.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Scheduling an episode on the Gripen!

[@ConnyYngve]

@@FighterPilotPodcast Wow! Looking forward to that. I learn so much from listening to your episodes.

[@therocinante3443]

Man, this video deserves millions of views. Brilliant interview, I'm excited to go home and play DCS now hahah

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Thanks!

[@therocinante3443]

@@FighterPilotPodcast No no, thank YOU!

[@Mark_Ocain]

when the enemy hears the gun of an A-10 growling , that means their ass.

[@dwaynecox6820]

Great cast. Hog is our favorite. :. ) Really good!!!!!!!!

[@delcastilloarthur]

No mention of it's intended role as a Soviet tank killer? Correct me if I'm wrong but that was another major factor as to why it was designed in the first place.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

It was indeed. We do our best to cover as much detail as possible and occasionally fall short of satisfying everyone.

[@LRRPFco52]

After diving into this more recently, I gained new understanding of where the A-10 came from. I've tracked it from YA-10A testing when we were at Edwards... to the current A-10C. I didn't realize how influential the Army's new (Vietnam) Airmobile Divisions were in the history of the A-10. The Army wanted low speed that could also take out hard TGTs like armor, especially as more ZSU-23-2 & -4 AAA platforms flowed into the South. These are very lethal against rotary wing assets filled with soldiers. A-1 Skyraider was great but not against armor. A-7 was great at taking hard TGTs, but was fast and didn't have loiter like an A-1.

[@lukefricke2968]

Sp33d Demon the tank killer role was a byproduct of the CAS role foreseen by a major war in Europe with the Warsaw Pact. Lots of CAS would be needed and since armor was a big part of land forces at the time of course that was a consideration.

[@LRRPFco52]

@@lukefricke2968 When I was a kid in West Germany from 1980-1982, they had A-10s at Sembach if I recall correctly. It was still a very new jet. Before we arrived in West Germany, we were at Edwards where the YA-10 & A-10 were tested, and I recall my dad coming home and telling me about maintenance personnel going to town on the A-10 with sledgehammers, then practicing repairing them. Little did I know that one day my mates and I would be calling them in for gun runs some day.

[@Orvulum]

Awesome!

[@stuartbogdanow6345]

Dear Michael; We love the card. The puppy is just adorable. The A-10 Thunderbolt II was a legend and was loved by troops on the ground. I was never in a position where I would have depended on such a machine (thank God), but I wouldn't have wanted anything else. It seems to be very good at what it does. The "letters" CAS" in the letters from correspondents in the attached stood for "Close Air Support". That really says it all, But I was just a make believe soldier. Lyn and I will certainly find some enjoyable stuff and probably even some necessary items (and more than all of this) is the fact that the check comes with your best wishes and love for the holidays. So please know we love you and will think of you, always. Lyn and Stuie

[@ndc10162262]

Hey man you need to meet the other heavy weight NAVY Podcast, Jocko W.

[@MonkeyBidness359]

Would love for you guys to do an episode on the Eurofighter Typhoon. We need a counter-point to Até claims in Episode 41 that the Rafale is the best European fighter. Plenty of RAF pilots who'd be willing to make that argument for you, I am sure! Per Ardua.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Happy to do it--put me in touch if you know someone...

[@durangotr75]

Back in '85 I flew my A-10 H(asbro) off the USS Flag on many dangerous missions. Very durable aircraft, you could really throw it around and it would not break. It definitely needed more thrust back then as well.

[@basurablanco]

“Yo Joe!”

[@andrewmorris483]

The A-10 is well known for the memes.

[@dzl4524]

Happy Brrrtday

[@Mightymamba]

The Ltcol forgot to mention Arma 2 (kinda like a sim/military sandbox game on PC) but to be fair he is/was a REAL A-10 pilot and I'm just some wannabe lol. That was a great interview and I'll be looking at all the other ones to.

[@StefsEngineering]

Dave Goldfein was indeed the one that said "start finding me boys"

[@arnie24070127]

Hey man, can you please find out who the A-10 squadron was during the 08 battle of sadr city?

[@RCAvhstape]

Also, you didn't mention that the official name of the aircraft, Thunderbolt II, comes from the P-47 Thunderbolt of WWII, which was built by Republic, later part of Republic Fairchild. Republic also built the F-84 series of jet fighters, all of which had the word "Thunder" in their names, such as Thunderjet, Thunderstreak, etc, as well as the F-105 Thunderchief. So apparently Republic kind of made thunder a trademark of sorts, kind of like the Grumman Cat series of Navy fighters, from the Wildcat to the Tomcat.

[@Planehazza]

I'd love to know about the use of rudder for anything other than taxiing/strong crosswind approaches in the F-16. I'm led to believe that the ARI handled by the FLCS basically renders the use of the pedals entirely unnecessary. Having said that, I'd love to know what the 'official' SOP for rudder use in a fight knife is, compared to what experienced viper drives may do. Say you're well below corner airspeed at ~250kts and you can't quite get a lead the target for a guns shot. A boot of rudder might help, but it might also kill you before it lets you get the pipper on the bandit. What examples of 'inventiveness' or 'improvisation' with regards to F-16 rudder pedal use do you know of, team? :)

[@tillyb8603]

BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRT

[@czarfore]

Terminator Salvation (2009) had a brief scene with A-10's (CGI) providing ground support for an attack on a Skynet facility.

[@petesheppard1709]

Another primary distinction between guns and cannons is that a cannon is intended to fire explosive projectiles. Of course, an artilleryman would also say that a gun is a very long-barreled cannon, but that is a bit outside the context of this discussion.😉

[@michaelmulligan0]

That’s crazy about the OA-10 never knew that

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

You’re never too old to learn something new. 🤩

[@michaelmulligan0]

@@FighterPilotPodcast every day is a school day as we say in Ireland

[@PAS_2020]

I watch the A-10 in action and all I ever think of is "mincemeat".💥

[@marktownsend7361]

The A-10 cannot be replaced period!!! Rebuild the airframe new and update avionics and sensors boom done and we just saved a ton of money. The guys on the ground will thank you.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Makes sense but it will never happen.

[@AdmiralQuality]

Woot!

[@AdmiralQuality]

(Guys, music is cool but... LESS. Your music is peaking at levels the vocals never reach. C'mon, you had mixers in your planes.)

[@steelpanther88]

Can the gau-8 even penetrate modern russian tanks like t-90 and armata or is the A-10 obsolete in that sense?

[@yeoldesaltydog7415]

Imagine having this gun in WWII and the B-25, the one with that cannon that was questionable.. lol

[@simageorge63]

A-10 Thunderbolt wing root front slats is another difference from other fighters

[@darthbeavis8511]

If the air force retires this plane I hope the army picks it up.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

I believe there is some arcane law or agreement from long ago prohibiting that.

[@MongooseTacticool]

Isn't it Cannon fire explosive rounds, guns fire standard kinetic projectiles?

[@pandemiceclipse6596]

Generally it’s anything above 15mm caliber.

[@fgeorge7434]

TheF16 pilot don't use rudder for ACM at @440knots(no need for yaw) , the interconection ailerons rudder (ARI) do the job IF F16 IS SLOW.

[@ryanpeck4691]

Hollywood, when are we getting an A-10 movie?

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Terminator Salvation

[@ryanpeck4691]

@@FighterPilotPodcast it wasn’t enough. I want Top Gun but with A10s. It’s America’s plane!

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

@@ryanpeck4691 Fair.

[@hoghogwild]

Chuck Horner ended up pulling the A-10 from combat with the Republican Guard with 2 a/c lost and 5 more with battle damaged on the ramp. Citing they still had F-16s for the R. Guard.

[@edwardharshberger1]

Doesn't the A-10 prior to the glass cockpit/targeting pod/helmet mounted queueing systems have a reputation for friendly fire incidents? I like the A-10 alright, but it seems crazy that the plane built for CAS (emphasis on close) didn't have the proper sensors to PID targets and deconflict between friends and foes until a decade to a decade and a half after it's other USAF counterparts.

[@jimmydesouza4375]

@@edwardharshberger1Its not crazy, you have to keep in mind the A-10 is useless. Subsonic response times, fighter loiter and payload capability, cant operate in any sort of contested space without instantly getting shot down, designed entirely around a cannon that was never capable of fulfilling its primary role which was understood from the prototype phase. It being useless is why the airforce is constantly trying to get rid of it, so they can spend the funds on something better. If youre hoping to retire it in a few years it makes no sense to upgrade it.

[@mnlgrnwd4152]

listening to this 2 years later. the whole Internetculture now knows BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRT because of people like Operator Drewski.

[@protokevinleversee975]

My favorite plane period.

[@edfleming9600]

G.I. JOE. That's how old I was when I saw the hog.

[@Moredread25]

I'm suprised they haven't mentioned the many times the A-10 was featured in many Call of Duty and other video games.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Probably because neither one of us play.

[@Moredread25]

@@FighterPilotPodcast I guess when you've had the real thing, why accept substitutes. I enjoy the show. I hope you do the B-36 someday.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

@@Moredread25 we do too!

[@MasterChief-sl9ro]

A Cannon\Howitzer is anything designed to defeat Armor\Naval Vessels\Personnel Carriers\Gun Emplacements.... A gun is anything that shots a projectile. But is limited to Solid Projectiles. That can be hand held. Shoulder fired or from a fixed position. A Cannon\Howitzer can shoot HE\AP\HEAT and APCR\APDS Rounds. Where as the Gun can not. Yet all can be classified as starting out as a gun. It's the Purpose it was designed for. That sets them apart....

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Gotcha. 😎

[@gort8203]

What about naval guns? They don't just shoot solid shot but I always see them referred to as "guns".

[@MasterChief-sl9ro]

@@gort8203 Far as I know the Navy still refers to them as, Artillery..Which is classified as Howitzer\Cannon... Breach loading. Powder\Projectile combination.... I would have to dig out my old Field Manuals to see how they word it...As the Government has some strange requirement differentiation for weapon systems.. Hope that helps..

[@gort8203]

@@MasterChief-sl9ro Thanks, but the word artillery is even broader, as you can have rocket artillery in addition to tube artillery, for example. This is how I think of the term artillery: artillery [ˌärˈtil(ə)rē] NOUN large-caliber guns used in warfare on land. "tanks and heavy artillery" I've usually seen naval guns on warships referred to as guns, such as the "16 inch guns of the Iowa class" or "naval gunfire support of troops ashore", but I've not seen the word artillery used in either a context. I have occasionally seen the term "naval rifles" used in a technical discussion of shipboard armament. I seems to me that it's pretty safe to say that a cannon is gun, but a gun is not necessarily a cannon. As to the difference between a machine gun and an auto cannon, I have seen two general guidelines: anything over 13/14 mm is a cannon; anything that fires a hollow exploding shell is a cannon. This might be complicated by exceptions such as exploding bullets of lesser calibers and solid shot of greater calibers, but it seems to be a commonly accepted boundary. Of course that begs the question of what is a bullet and what is a shell. The best definitions I've seen on that is that a bullet has a diameter slightly larger than the bore so that engagement of the relatively soft jacket with the the rifling produces spin, while a shell is the exact diameter of the bore and relies on a separate softer driving band to engage the rifling. I think there are also exceptions to this rule, so it's all a bit of an imprecise lexicon. If you can point to any definitive references I would enjoy reading them. Thanks.

[@MasterChief-sl9ro]

@@gort8203 A quick look. I found FM-6-40 FIELD ARTILLERY MANUAL CANNON GUNNERY. It''s for Marines.. fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/docs/fm6-40-ch3.htm. The standard Nomenclature would be the same.FM 6-50 For the Army. usacac.army.mil/sites/default/files/misc/doctrine/CDG/cdg_resources/manuals/fm/fm6_50.pdf

[@robert48044]

why is their a rise in Cancer where depleted uranium is used and not cleaned up?

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Guessing uranium and human tissue do not mix too well (particularly when the former is traveling at very high speed).

[@chasevisser3314]

When he didn’t know where ppl would know the A-10 from I was screaming every war video game ever in my car

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Evidently Supa does not play war video games. 🤔

[@chasevisser3314]

@@FighterPilotPodcast oh my gosh so cool to see u guys respond. I just started listening to ur podcast last week and have already listened to 7 episodes! Y’all r giving me even more motivation to get a pilot slot next year in ROTC!

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Good luck, @@chasevisser3314! I usually respond to most comments--except the really stupid ones. Jell-O

[@chasevisser3314]

@@FighterPilotPodcast well I’ll make sure to keep u updated. Thank you for your service and all the amazing content u put out sir! I’ll be sure to become a patron when I get those big 2nd Lt dollars.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

@@chasevisser3314 Nah, don't sweat that.

[@JDeomanoJeromeDanetteJeremiah]

I'm glad the Fairchild Republic engineers were able to convey the superior attributes of the A-10 to the Air Force. The Air Force have a tendency to prefer more conventional (safer?) designs, like that of the Northrup A-9. The A-10 is so out of the box, it must have taken a lot of effort to get the Air Force brass to take it seriously.

[@sebekglab]

39:20 Usually aggressors are “bad guys” not the one who defend own country.

[@DJones476]

As a (very) general rule of thumb, a 'cannon' is anything 13mm and bigger.

[@andrewmorris483]

DU rounds. If you put up a fight with armor, you get punished for your threats.

[@Ha11yw00d]

BRRRRRRRRT

[@gustavorocha78]

Sebastian junger Restrepo’s director

[@AbnsundevilL7]

I really should have listened to this episode before running my mouth on the F-35 episode. Oh, it’s the Pace-Finletter MOU of 1952 that arbitrarily bars the Army from running the nuts off of the A-10.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

There you go.

[@Fast85FoxGT]

Between the P47, F105 and A10, Repbulic has a hell of a reputation for respect from the boys on the ground. (Revisiting this episode, still terrific.)

[@perpetualconfusion5885]

BRRRT BRRRRRTTT

[@josephrosenbaum3343]

This dude did 20 years???? He sounds like he's not even 30

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Flying keeps you young!

[@stephenzenerak7846]

The top brass is obviously on the F-35 one-broken-thing-for-everything pocket.

[@christianwillassen]

The A-10 is the coolest military plane ever. Can hardly wait for the A-11 reveal. Same layout, but stealthy. Same amount of stations, but inside the wings and fuselage 😂 Slightly underpowered of course 👍

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

You may be mistaken. I've never heard of an A-11 and could find no other reference besides this: breakingdefense.com/2016/07/a-10-then-a-11-and-a-12-air-force-ponders-cas-future/

[@christianwillassen]

@@FighterPilotPodcast You are absolutely correct, I am so sorry. I described my dream for the future, not a real plan, and should have stated this clearly. Apologies

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

@@christianwillassen Ah, no worries.

[@dks13827]

Some Generals say that B-52's are close air support !!!!!

[@bret9741]

What is the future of CAS aircraft? Can we build a better A-10? If we were to build a better A-10, what would that look like? I struggle to believe we can’t build an affordable A-10 replacement that would address the problems and yet retain the strengths of the A-10.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Seems straightforward but in practice it rarely is. Interestingly, they are are experimenting with basic prop planes again. Check this out: www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/709791/tech-report-a-29-super-tucano/

[@bret9741]

@@FighterPilotPodcast thank you. I’ll check it out. I’ve been following the “trainer to CAS” conversion aircraft since the beginning. I actually flew a crop duster a couple of times. I use to dream I flying an A-10 lol…. I guess in a completely uncontested environment, one where the enemy isn’t really able to mount a coordinated defense….. this could make economic sense. I’ve done quite a lot of research on the OV-10. If you get a chance, there is a lot of info online that has been declassified. The OV-10 suffered a lot of losses from small arms fire. I’m concerned that the AF brass will use these aircraft as an excuse to get rid of the A-10 and then when we end up in a peer level conflict….. we’ll wish we had a platform like the A-10+++. I so enjoy your podcasts. I started my love of flying at age 3 or 4. Dad had a super cub and also occasionally rented a Piper Arrow or a Piper Cherokee 6. Got my license at 18 and because of vision issues went to the airlines. Flew until I developed a severe neurological movement disorder in 2008. I miss flying, but most of all I miss the people I flew with. It’s such a great group of people from incredibly diverse backgrounds. I was fortunate to start flying when some of the WW2 pilots were still young. Many of them were my flight instructors or examiners. I went on to instruct students from: India, Taiwan, France, Japan, Mexico, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Norway, France, England, Canada and the US. In spite of our differences, the love of all things aviation really helped create life long friendships. My guess is we could take fighter pilots from every nation in the world, put all of you into a squadron together and in a matter of weeks you would be life long friends. Thanks again for the response and reference

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

I bet that is true,@@bret9741 , at least I hope so. Appreciate the background and feel your pain, thanks for sharing. Jell-O

[@michaelmulligan0]

@@FighterPilotPodcast Tucano type aircraft has utility but not the utility or capability of A-10 Shouldn’t be retired

[@dks13827]

Why try to cancel the A-10 ???

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Beats me but they've been at it forever.

[@BalzAldrin]

brrrrrrrRRRRT!

[@reaality3860]

I wish the allies had the A-10 in WW2!

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Like the movie, The Final Countdown?!

[@kainhall]

gun VS cannon.... in "technical" terms..... anything 20mm and bigger is a cannon . but in my terms (and a lot of others)..... if it shoots big pieces of lead and/or steel..... gun if it shoots explody things..... cannon . black powder is the exception to the rule held to the shoulder..... gun ground or naval 12 or 32 pounders, ETC..... cannon . but if its breach loading..... gun . glad i cold help clarify....... (sarcasm)