CLOSE AIR SUPPORT | F-16C Viper Better Air To Ground Platform Vs A-10 Warthog ? | DCS |

[@GrowlingSidewinder]

Check out the Merch Store: growling-sidewinder.creator-spring.com/ DCS F-16 Viper: www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/shop/modules/viper/?

[@hkguitar1984]

IMO, in this kind of capacity the F-16 is like the M4 Carbine, whereas the A-10 would be more like the Browning BAR, both have their specialties. Great content GS, thank you.

[@Diehard-saints-fan]

@GrowlingSidewinder so buddy one 1v1 I would really love to see is the su57 felon vs the su47 berkut or su47 vs f22 or f35 please

[@numberyellow]

NGAD vs F-15 ACTIVE, dogfight, guns and missles plzkthx SU-57 vs F-15 ACTIVE, dogfight, guns only plzkthx

[@tsvetansimeonov7936]

Why SU-25 not shooting?

[@sheila9358]

Scud hunting at night in syria.. f16 targets in a box but unknow where.. enemy a/a threats etc..

[@jdkroh]

Thanks for bringing back the drop tank. The American tax payer thanks you.

[@dmitrynova]

i was so hoping he'd drop it on the mi-24 as the last-ditch effort ))

[@truthseeker9454]

@@dmitrynova I would have loved to see that! 😆

[@johnandrewmunroe]

@@dmitrynova I wonder if an enemy casualty has ever been recorded from a drop tank!

[@Belford_4642]

Glad someone else noticed it too🤣

[@dsdy1205]

​@@johnandrewmunroe sadly no, the closest I've heard was that f15e that killed a heli with a laser guided bomb

[@the_algo_rhythm]

That buzz by the downed pilot was absolutely savage.

[@LeeValentine001]

No eyebrows left on that poor bloke.

[@grumpy2.0]

Lucky he didn't take a pop with his side arm.

[@the_algo_rhythm]

Eardrums - annihilated.

[@nerdysoldier]

That frogfoot pilot did not want the smoke lol

[@TymaDem]

16:53 looks like someone is getting an unpleasant talk with the chief mechanic

[@adamtheninjasmith2985]

All I have to say is don't piss off your mechanics. Especially on convoy. I'm not military but my best friend is. He was a mechanic in the army and drove a hemt on convoy in Iraq. one day his alternator or something gave up and he limped it to the next checkpoint or fob and told the convoy leader hey we can't go anywhere I'm gonna break down, I need to radio back and get this part. Convoy leader said nope you're fine we're moving out. Needless to say the wrecker that's basically the heart and lifeline of the convoy breaks down. Shit hits the fan, they get shot at and when they got back to base that convoy leader got his ass handed to him and from there on out he was under very strict orders to move or not move basically under motor pools discretion regardless of rank.

[@happyhaunter_5546]

Pilotm especially times two, when you budget in their schooling/training, are more valuable than a single aircraft. That was not cowardice, but the wise move.USA.

[@theDgrader]

In Iraq i think ( or arghanistan ) an F16 provided close air support to special forces troops who were pinned by enemy. I think the F16 only had cluster bomb (no guns) so instead of bombing he dived and used the sonic boom to disorientate the enemy and trick them into taking cover as it probably sounded like a bomb going off. It apparently worked and gave the guys time to GTFO of dodge.

[@traviswalker8933]

This was in Iraq.

[@404-u5f]

It was Iraq, and I think it was an FA-18

[@sunray501]

I heard a similar story like this on yt somewhere, it was an F-14 that was Winchester, that supposedly disobeyed orders to cover ground troops making an escape using the sonic boom. As wel as it's general presence to keep the enemy defensive. No idea how real it is tho.

[@traviswalker8933]

@@sunray501 it could've easily been shot down if it was Winchester.

[@DarthGandalftheBlack]

It did, but an A10 would have been able to neutralize the ground threat. And im pretty sure it was an F14, not a 16. But don’t quote me on that. Lol

[@cinemage1]

Interesting Pro-Words I’ve found out, in-addition to WINCHESTER: ARIZONA means “out of HARMs,” and DAKOTA means out of all air-to-ground munutions.

[@aaronyork3995]

Fun video I work for Pratt &Whitney on F 35 engines. The fact a gun slinger like the 16 can also do some of the 10’s duties is impressive. I think we are reading from the same page here.

[@SGTH11b0811]

The best CAS is the one that checks in with you and delivers as requested on your 9 line. I've had all sorts of aircraft show up to help and they all were appreciated.

[@dieyproductions4403]

Do it with the Hornet too, it is the one which has the "A" in its official designation.

[@vantaaax]

did it last video

[@dieyproductions4403]

@@vantaaax that video didn't have CAS in my opinion.

[@traviswalker8933]

​@@dieyproductions4403it had everything the Hornet was designed to do. A in the designation means that it was designed to be a ground attack platform as well.

[@Danlovestrivium]

@@traviswalker8933 Those designations, in practice, don't mean very much. Simply look at the F-117 as an example. The F-117 isn't fighting anything. There was an "F/A-16" planned, however, all of those requirements were simply met by the block 40 F-16CG with its addition of GPS and LANTRIN pods so the name was never changed.

[@traviswalker8933]

@@Danlovestrivium yup. That I know for sure. Because the F-15E is a ground attack platform and doesn't use the A designation. Just going by their theoretical sense here. Would have been cool to see a naval F-16 but Northrop and MD lobbied too hard to get the navy to pick up the YF-17.

[@user-dx4hb5le4v]

Thank you for making these missions available! I've been dying for this, appreciate it GS

[@GrowlingSidewinder]

my pleasure, hope you enjoy.

[@jikemenkins7098]

The Viper did great work in this video. You left the area ready for the A-10 to come in and clean up those tanks and other targets. Could have landed, switched aircraft and had 15 more minutes of video content!

[@D00rGunner]

Strictly CAS it is A-10 all day. If you want true CAS, you choose the platform I used to crew and that would be the AC-130U!

[@kwdriver58]

loved her as a customer. rubble. but you also know the shortcomings.

[@SheepDogNumber6]

TOT

[@traviswalker8933]

The AC-130U won't be nimble enough to defend itself against tracer file and also take out the SAM threats in the area.

[@501stIstheBestRegiment]

@@traviswalker8933 A-10s will also get smoked by SAMs there is a reason they do SEAD before sending them

[@danielbrown9368]

AC-130 is a cheat code for CAS

[@the_algo_rhythm]

The Viper could do it all. Such a gorgeous bird. Wanted to fly her so badly when I was younger.

[@84MadHatter]

same

[@mikemontgomery2654]

It actually wasn’t.

[@Sajuuk]

Twas made as a lightweight air superiority daytime fighter, actually. It's subsequently become a multirole do it all machine yes.

[@blablabla5361]

You gonna commission to fly them, then?

[@calumalvarado6716]

I like these “Jack of all trades” mission type scenarios that you do, keep up the great work. 👍

[@miker3866]

That Frogfoot pilot just got his eardrums busted lol. Great Vid

[@MattCV27]

Love CAS missions with the Viper. Also really love having the mission download

[@darthvirgin7157]

doing a gun run on a tank, aim for the back. the front is where the armor is thickest. back is thinner. even with 500 lb JDAMs, aim for the back.

[@traviswalker8933]

Good eye.

[@hunterhess8433]

The better comparison with something we have in DCS would be the Strike Eagle, one all of it's ordnance options are implemented..

[@hanswolfgangmercer]

I love using the viper for A/G work! Thanks for the mission download - I'm really loving these!

[@karankakkar3999]

Thank you fo making the mission available for download! Would love to see more advanced SEAD with the f16. Thanks.

[@spyglass1005]

Thank you for the mission file! That mission was very entertaining to watch.

[@jamieaulbach5120]

During the initial invasion into Iraq we used practice 2000lbs jdams on tanks parked next to hospitals. So it was essentially a 2000 lbs rock. We had video of it and it ripped the turret off and flung it 50 yards away. This was done by F15E.

[@georgew.5639]

It’s far easier to be shot down by ground fire in the F16 than the A10 which is very well armored. You made the point of this and quite a bit more.

[@randomdude4505]

Back in 2003 the base my squadron was operating from for OIF also had multiple A-10 squadrons. I never saw an A-10 carrying anything bigger than a 500 lb bomb.

[@spyglass1005]

Thank you GS for the mission!

[@stefanonapoli7282]

Finally some F-16 A-G action. Thank you!

[@loadout3727]

The option to download the missions is so great! Thank you for that :D

[@Rose_Butterfly98]

Really depends on what the CAS entails, if there are SAMs and enemy aircraft, f16 and f35, if there are moving targets, a10, if it's mainly emplacenents and we're trying to open the door for our troops, ac130.

[@jamesgasparo9402]

Would love to see the japanese f2 variant of the viper.

[@UnknownSovereignty]

Tbh I would see it has a good pairing a-10's with group of vipers could make for an impressive push force. Ngl I feel the a-10 and the f-16c are the best example of multi role while being more suited for either ground or air combat. Would love to see a-10 strike squads with f-16c support maybe a 2 player mission?

[@SovereignVis]

Yeah, this is why you need both. Got to use the best tool for the job. Send in the F-16 first to take out all the air threats, then after the skies are clear, have the A-10 do all the heavy CAS work.

[@FlexibleToast]

Nah, you don't need the A10 in the world of UAVs.

[@SovereignVis]

@@FlexibleToast Do they have UAVs with GAU-8s? 🤔

[@FlexibleToast]

@@SovereignVis do they need GAU-8s? A10s getting gun kills is actually rare in the real world despite it being romanticized.

[@Noisy_Cricket]

​@@SovereignVisthey can easily make that if needed. With those fancy laser guided bullets that DARPA is working on too.

[@traviswalker8933]

​@@SovereignVis UAVs don't need that, they can provide CAS without those armaments and without the risk of loss of pilot life.

[@Coolhand101e]

As far as the F-16C vs A-10C debate is concerned, you said it best: "Different tools for different environments." I love 'em both!!

[@sohrabroozbahani4700]

A10 gets on station when the air superiority and sead is already done, well, you passed through and accomplished that, plus a bit of additional help before you go, now they can show up and do their own magic...

[@surf_ai]

Great video. Also F35 with added bombs on wings might make a better comparison since it was built with CAS in mind.

[@shlomojacobs-velde3838]

Would it be crazy to do an F/A-18 Super or Legacy Hornet vs a F-35C, like an old vs new US Navy dogfight?

[@sandman4229]

You should now do the exact same mission with the A10!

[@resurgam_b7]

I think they both fill their respective roles well. You definitely wouldn't want to go buzzing a SAM sites in an A-10, and air to air would be dicey, even against a Frogfoot. At the same time, it's hard for any ground vehicle to argue with 30mm freedom raining down on them, or some 2000 lb high explosive care packages, which an F-16 isn't as well suited (or even capable in the case of the 30mm) to deliver. I think both of them can be effective in a mission like this, probably more so the F-16 because of its superior SEAD potential, but they both bring some specialized capabilities which make them each suited to somewhat different mission profiles, even if there is some substantial overlap.

[@unclevampy]

Being an 0311 ground pounder, I can say any air support is greatly appreciated. (We need to give the flyboys something to do in between their spa treatment and luxury dinners). However, there is nothing more motivating than the brrrrrrrrt coming from the A-10, and the loitering ability the A-10 is also a big bonus.

[@LuhMav]

You should show more love to the f 35 rarely see you use it on the channel. I’d like to see if it could perform the same stealth and behind enemy lines tasks you often do with the f 22. Love the content.

[@darthtytherous2107]

I planned on only getting the Afghanistan, Iraq, and MiG 29A modules this year but after these videos and me trailing the F-16, I think I’m getting it too.

[@mezer4u497]

Great title for a new channel and ideas... What if? What if the f-16, could do the A-10's job better? What if we send a F-15E instead of the F-16? What if a pilot is shot down and has to eject, can we get him in a timely manner say the F-16, F-18 to clear the air space, F-15E for long range A/G, F-18 for Meduim A/G, A-10 and the apache for close air support followed by Black Hawks to touch down and pick up pilot. All in a set time with no KIA. (sorry got carried away) but you get the idea. What if.... a channel was done in such a manner so others could download and try the missions as well and post their results on that missions. What If?

[@u9Nails]

Oooo! Sheepskin seats! Those are seriously a lot more comfortable that the mil spec green pads. Good choice!

[@EricaCalman]

The F-16 is definitely the more versatile airplane, and if you have to have only one that's the best option. The A-10 is specialized, even within the context of CAS, for situations requiring getting in really closer and visually identifying targets. That role has proven to be indispensable time and time again though and the A-10 truly shines in it.

[@traviswalker8933]

For getting in really close and IDing and striking targets, UAVs do a much better job than a piloted aircraft without the risk of loss of life of a pilot which is an asset to the airforce.

[@Avera9eWh1teShark6]

The F-35's EODAS as well as the MQ-9's sensor suite has rendered low and slow passes for visual ID obsolete and outmoded.

[@traviswalker8933]

@@Avera9eWh1teShark6 the MQ-9 is much more suited to the CAS where visual ID is needed before striking. The effectiveness of this has been seen to a greater length in Afghanistan and in Iraq.

[@EricaCalman]

@@Avera9eWh1teShark6 Even the F-16 can carry higher magnification electrooptical systems but those can’t see through clouds and infrared ones can but don’t always show details that the mark one eyeball can pick up on.

[@bmorecareful1014]

Thank you for uploading the mission. I'm new still trying to learn how to fly.

[@Claudius_Nero]

14:38 JDAM may not have killed the tank but it blew the Tank Commander's pants off.

[@gregtoler9283]

It would surely be a mobility kill

[@pedrosura]

Awesome video. The A-10 gun is unique but hey, good show!

[@Wormser_mcfrazzleweiner]

Now I think we need a video like this of the strike eagle.

[@Finis08]

Definitely different tools for different environments. If you already have control of an airspace and are primarily providing CAS there is no question the A10 is the proper choice. If the airspace is still contested or you are needing to fill multiple roles the F16 is the best option.

[@otanguma]

From someone who was practicing A-10CII A-G and now practicing F-16C A-G, I would say that the A-10C II is the A-G King. YMMV but HMCS , creating and accessing Markpoints is superior on the A-10C II and more intuitive as well. On the F-16, Markpoints/Steer points always start on #26?? and they also offset sometimes away from the target area. Might be a bug? Sometimes the new Markpoints are saved in sequence or sometimes they overwrite a previous created Markpoint.

[@BladeKi11a]

GS please recreate the BF3 F-18 mission “Going Hunting”

[@FJFuentesCO]

Thanks for sharing the missions!

[@Nevermind_Im_Lost]

I love both and they're definitely different tools for different jobs

[@kswas2784]

Good mission and getting closer to my request! A-10 vs F-35 CAS competition based on the USAF report.

[@Maxdady01]

That F-16 loadout in the opening roll is crazy!

[@sam1812seal]

Great to see a mission that supports the USAF’s concept of near future CAS rather than the politicians’ dogmatic support of the A10. As you mentioned, the A10 is excellent in the CAS role so long as it’s operating in uncontested airspace with no/minimal SAM threat. Great for the asymmetric battle space of Iraq and Afghanistan where it can safely operate unsupported. Not so great against near peer, or forces enhanced with near peer, weaponry. If the A10 can only be safely operated with F15/16/35 support to provide SEAD and air to air cover then you may as well just load up the F15/16/35 to complete the mission and leave the A10 back in the barn.

[@MissMoneypenny-z8j]

Great mission, GS!

[@aaronzeiger216]

Your video literally made the case for why we need BOTH aircraft.

[@ivanthemadvandal8435]

As cool as the A10 is, it's the epitome of the sunken cost fallacy. We didn't keep it because it was great or even the best in its role. We kept them because we had them. In its shining moment during Desert Storm, 99% of its usefulness came from using guided munitions, which other craft were able to use just as if not more effectively, while its unique aspect turned out to be a hinderance. Take the A10 out of Desert Storm next to nothing changes aside from fewer blue on blue incidents. With it gone, we may have gotten the F16XL to compliment the F15E, a cheaper and in every practical way a better plane than the A10.

[@jasonvick55]

Really makes you wonder about retiring the A-10. But the F-35 should have more precision from further away. One would hope it will. But it’ll take several given its low capacity of weapons.

[@mikemontgomery2654]

You’d need several F-35s to accomplish the same mission that two A-10s would.

[@jacobdoolan4978]

@@mikemontgomery2654counter argument, you’d need 4 f-35 for the a10 to actually do their job

[@FlexibleToast]

It doesn't make me wonder at all. UAVs do the job of A10s cheaper and without putting any lives in danger.

[@CamiloLeonardoGarcia]

F35 for SEAD, UAVs for CAS

[@jasonvick55]

@@jacobdoolan4978 fair point

[@MrKnoxguy101]

She got tore up pretty good from that ground fire, but got you home. Definitely two different tools for two different (and sometimes the same) environments.

[@danielclark9193]

I think you just demo'd why the A10 is going away; red air would do to them exactly what you did to their Frogfoots. Also since you would certainly have at least one wing man it might make more sense to ditch some of your AIM-120s for AGM-65s. Great mission, great flying.

[@torarne7796]

I believe you can lase the spi to refine the target point for the jdam, but I find lgbs or mavericks are preferrable when attacking tanks. At least with the current damage model. And it's also best to aim at the base of the vehicle, if not the spi might be a point on the ground somewhere behind the target.

[@HAMlLTON]

I think the f-16, f-15 and a-10 all work together to have complete aerial supremacy. 15s for long range bvr capabilities, 16 for flexible strikes between air and ground(emphasis on radar). A-10 for CAS dominance. It’s silly to try to give every role to one aircraft because they are going to fall short of optimal in every instance.

[@Branto123]

Can we get a video with the F16-XL? I have no clue if it’s even in DCS but it’s such an interesting aircraft

[@mikemontgomery2654]

I don’t believe it is.

[@C-Infidel-Archer-78]

Different tools for different environments. The A10 is phenomenal for CAS, but the F16 is capable but limited to its capacity. I've seen both provide CAS in iraq and both allowed me and my platoon to get safe. I will always have a love for both birds

[@tinkertalksguns7289]

Different tools for different missions. The F16 has it's strengths as you have shown, but the A10 is a much heavier hitter in its proper use-case.

[@An0beseGiraffe]

Thank you SO much for linking the mission download, anytime you do ground attack stuff you should for sure make this a regular thing!

[@BessotenJenny]

Went pretty much how I expected. The F-16, being more broadly capable than the A-10, was able to deal with just about every kind of threat it came up against but ultimately lacked the firepower to really perform extended CAS. The A-10 would have had more trouble operating in contested airspace like that without support but once that airspace was cleared it would've had the payload and the staying power to absolutely decimate any ground forces.

[@GlennRobert71]

A case for both. Depends on situation.

[@thomasvertommen9526]

Completely different beast. F16, Tornado, F18,... all can/could do decent CAS, especially helped by their speed and carrying capacity. The Warthog is bristling with weapons and ammunition, but it's a pretty slow beast comparatively. If at any point, you're in a Warthog, and air superiority isn't secured (anymore), you're in trouble. Meanwhile, the F16 has more than enough bite in order to defend itself.

[@Lee-sti8wrx]

🤣 only 500 pounds. A 250 kg bomb landing on your dome is going to make a mess. Thats funny dude. I am surprised that bomb didn't destroy the inards of that tank. F-16C is a beast, and looks the part, but the A-10 smashes the gun runs man. Sick video, I loved how the SU-25 pilot saw you coming and bitched out lol. Great content dude. And on your question at the end man, I would just take one or two of each. 🤘

[@alderwolf7687]

F-16's make excellent Wild Weasel's but their CAS lacks a lot to be desired. Usually they stay high very rarely getting low unless they can't avoid it for some reason because just how vulnerable to ground fire they are.

[@JebHoge]

A-10s do the same thing. They stay above AAA as much as possible. Nobody's cavalier about taking hits.

[@alderwolf7687]

@@JebHoge Never said anyone was cavalier but when it comes to CAS and getting down low the A-10 is much better to have than an F-16. I say that as a crew chief who has worked both airframes.

[@theDgrader]

A-10 is the super soldier that flys. F-16 can clear the Air then clear the of the SA's and allow the A-10 to mop up the heavy stuff.... Loved this

[@SonesBen]

For SEAD/DEAD, the F-16C is a beast and the A-10C is a non-factor, so that one is an easy call. For ground attack in general, the A-10C carries a lot more weapons and has better ability to loiter and shrug off ground fire. Plus, you know, the GAU-8 Avenger. The Viper is no slouch given a more targeted objective ("Go in and take out X"); with the Warthog you can just send it into an area and tell it to take out whatever it finds.

[@benn454]

This is why teamwork makes the dream work. Each has their place on the battlefield.

[@jamesrobbins26]

The A10 was made for close air support. Each bird in the Air Force has its on job. They can swap over but their main mission is what they are great at. We need a well balanced force.

[@AShadowboxsFSX]

You need both. The A-10 can't do what the F-16 does, the F-16 can't deliver the same ordinance the A-10 does. The A-10 does need replaced but not by anything currently in the inventory we need a dedicated attacker.

[@eagle4010]

i think the f16 is more suited for this kind of scenario where you've got sam's and air assets going aroud. If you're only going to do cas with no sam's (or at least someone taking care of them) and airspace sanitized or some sort of air cover i'd definitely go for the a10

[@anonymousdevildog1406]

As a young Marine Infantryman in Iraq, we always wanted A10s supporting us. We'd prefer this aircraft and the AC130 Gunship. That said, I've personally watch our Marine F18 pilots support us in one village w/ his guns and totally taking out a ton of Iraqi ground forces... The Marine pilots are something! Love the Viper - but... I'd prefer the A10

[@beniman292]

I think you've shown before the F16 is great at SEAD and airspace sanitation which should make way for the a10s to do close air support. If the battlefield requires it. However if there's 2 tanks and a bunch of planes just send an f22 with aim120's because we know how good they are at being an AGM

[@mrp8488]

Their's no reason the H.A.R.M missile couldn't be integrated onto the A-10.

[@chrisihg2253]

I love the Falcon. But would be so great if it would be possible to give the A-10 a radarpod and use AIM-120 and AGM-88. And other long range stuff

[@louisdrexler7745]

if its a GWOT troops in contact, where its not anti vehicle etc the A10 is great, like closer contact fire fights/ ambushes the a10 is great for that, where i feel slower speeds are needed

[@acerx203]

I would like to see the same mission ran with the F-35. F-16 a great plane but it's lack of loiter time and light load out is a hindrance.

[@oldfashionedwrx3574]

Hence f16 is way better for high value/priority targets, a2a, contested fronts, pin point strikes etc. In desert storm f16s took out soo many buildings with 2* mk84

[@Danlovestrivium]

Your points are only with a single platform and as we all know, USAF doesn't fly a single aircraft alone. The F-16's pilot is the limitation when determining loiter time, not the airframe. F-16's refuel in the air just like every other aircraft in the inventory. But even without, it can stay in the air of 4 hours. The difference is that the F-16 can get to where it's critically needed in 1/4 of the time it would take an A-10 to get there. Furthermore, there are 260 A-10s and close to 1,200 F-16. The USAF never considers cost of a mission, only the ability to complete the mission successfully. If they need 10 F-16s to do a job, they'll use them. Aircraft loadout is easily covered by having the next F-16 up to bat when the first one expends it's munitions. And lets not even get into the maintenance issues the A-10 has how but effort it takes to get them Fully Mission Capable. The F-16 runs circles around the antiquated A-10 in this regard and that is extremely important on the battlefield.

[@oldfashionedwrx3574]

@@Danlovestrivium f16 are good for real life cas and your points are 100% valid. F16 way more survivable, anything with a tpod and guided weapons can do cas very well tbh One f16 can carry 16 small diameter bombs, they also have laser guided heat rockets

[@Yoko_Grim]

The F-16 can do it quicker and do a larger variety while also doing some CAS. The A-10 is a CAS-focused platform that can lightly dip in other roles.

[@NoogaiBooga]

Definitely two different tools for me, there's some aspects under the CAS umbrella that the F-16 can do but the A-10 can't, and there's some aspects where the A-10 whoops the F-16s butt. They're complementary, you need both.

[@SanjayaElvitigala]

F16 is the total package. A10 is a very specific package that has outclassed any other aircraft for that role thus far.

[@byzmack1334]

At the end you wouldn't be flying that helicopter until it had been repaired and the other thing you hit with the cannon aren't rated for 20mm rounds. Something tells me they would be out of action for a while. Which since there were ground forces in the area means those units would be lost too. The tank probably made it out but the 500 pounder could have damaged its tracks. I do love the a10 though.

[@ingoos]

very odd that missiles do not stay above the "floor" say by about at least 50 meters... switch off its radar (to feign hitting the floor) then switching its radar back ON into "look up & acquire" target which should be at the location with the highest probability from its last known location, bearing, track, speed, etc.

[@kelvaris1]

That gun run you were going fast!!!!

[@revengefullobster4524]

As much as i love the A10 i really don't think it's necessary. With the F16 and F15e being able to do the same mission and the F15 being able to carry more. It's the same reason the navy dropped the A6 and A7 when they got the Hornet.

[@chrisdouglas4427]

Viper is like the F-18, multi role fighter. Hence why so many smaller countries operate either the F-18 or the F-16. Personally if I was an Air Force commander of a small country I would go for the F-16.

[@leonnitsch6508]

Honestly looks like the Viper is good at establishing dominance and targeting SAM sites and radars, but with the limited amount of 2000lb JDAMs and the severely inferior gun, it suffers for CAS against armoured targets.

[@oldfashionedwrx3574]

You don't need 2000 pound jdam for cas lol. They're for buildings tbh

[@leonnitsch6508]

@@oldfashionedwrx3574 The failure of the 500 pounders on the armoured targets says otherwise, but yea the 2000 pounders also seem well suited for buildings

[@noControl556]

I feel like the F-16 is better for strike missions where the target is known and it can fly in take out the target and fly out, where the A-10 is better for lingering support to take out targets of opportunity as it can withstand surprise attacks from a machine gunner on the ground, lucky RPG shot, etc.

[@PawsomePranksParade]

That gun run was tickling session for that site.

[@randym7961]

In reality for close air support the A-10 is the better option but when you are in the chit whatever gets there first is an angel !

[@jeffmonson2073]

I would love to see how effective the Strike Eagle is at the A-10 role doing CAS. If the US Air Force is going to retire the A-10, I would think the F-15E would be the logical replacement

[@GhostsofRazgrizDCSOverkill]

It will not outperform the Thunderbolt II in CAS, but it will help troops live long enough for the A-10 to get there

[@fadykhazal783]

Nice video, what airbase did you takeoff from?