idk I think the A-10 is more of a trad-CAS influencer than a genuine warplane suited for near-peer conflicts in contested airspace at this point, it is weird and I am pretty sure it isn’t a good idea but the algorithm likes the brand so shrugs I think the successor to the A-10 needs to lean into the whole influencer lifestyle thing from the get go.
Make it look cool and design an advanced network of escort drones that constantly orbit the aircraft ready to launch into action at the first sign of content and beginning taking selfies of the aircraft.
Maximum impact will be achieved from the pilot having access to a social media avionics suit complete with a state-of-the-art “A-10 Trad-CAS” reply-by-wire guy Automated Post Authoring System customized from software developed by the CIA to help topple vulnerable democratic governments in central and south america.
Plenty of guys over there agree that the Hog is a modern Stuka. They’re both impressive, have intimidating reputations, make a scary sound, and too vulnerable to operate without air supremacy.
And the Air Force agrees. In Desert Storm, the A10s had to hunt SCUDS in the desert because they were getting murdered by Iraqi anti-air.
I’m fairly certain that if A10s were deployed in Ukraine, Zelenskyy would be in Moscow by now.
I mean, I could see the A-10 being useful in a near-peer conflict unmanned piloted by a remote drone operator in a swarm of covering/scout drones with purposefully worse radar/heat signatures.
The remote drone operator could fly the A-10 employing a nuanced strategy of “Fuck As Much Shit Up As I Can In The Shortest Amount Of Time Until I Get Blown Up” (not gonna write that acronym out, but trust me it is in plenty of DOD whitepapers) military strategy developed by Henry Kissinger during his time at the Rand Corporation. The idea wouldn’t really be to take too many airframes home, but if it is WW3 than I mean who is worrying about retirement!
