A-10's grounded/F-15 update

[Dr Mordrid]

Aero-News story....

USAF Grounds A-10 Warthogs Over Wing Fatigue Concerns

Sat, 04 Oct '08

Inspections Called For After Cracks Found In Older Models

Another storied aircraft in the US Air Force fleet has been grounded over concerns about age-related fatigue. The USAF announced Friday immediate inspections for 127 A-10 Thunderbolt II ground-support aircraft, after fatigue cracking was discovered on the wings of some aircraft.

"The inspections are a necessary step in addressing the risk associated with A-10 wing cracking, specifically with thin-skin wings. This risk is of great concern to the Air Force and is representative of a systemic problem for our aging Air Force fleet," the Air Force said.

CNN reports the cracks were discovered among -A and -C models at Hill Air Force Base in Utah, during routine maintenance. Newer A-10 models have reinforced wing bracing, and thicker metal to ward off small arms fire.

Originally manufactured by the now-defunct Fairchild Industries, the oldest A-10s first entered service in 1975. Today's fleet of over 400 A-10s has an average age of 28 years.

The Air Force stressed no accidents have occurred attributable to the fatigue cracks, and Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. Mike Paoli said the groundings "will be invisible to the warfighter."
Nevertheless, first priority for the inspections will be given to A-10s in theater in Iraq and Afghanistan, where the tank-busting aircraft -- dubbed "Warthogs" due to their ungainly appearance, and prominent nose-mounted 30mm Gatling gun -- provide ground support for troops in close combat.

The announcement marks the second time in less than a year the Air Force has grounded a prominent aircraft in its fleet. As ANN reported, the USAF grounded its fleet of older F-15C and -D models following a November 2007 in-flight breakup of a Missouri ANG Eagle.

Subsequent inspections revealed cracking, improper brace thickness, and materials contamination in longerons that run the length of the F-15 fuselage, and hold the aircraft together during high-stress manuevering.

[Jammrock]

That 30 mm gat is the biggest gun I've ever seen. Though I thought the A-10 had already been scrapped by the USAF and only the national guard still had them?

[Evildead666]

From what i've read, the plane was built around that gun...

https://www.sonicbomb.com

you can find loads of cool videos, some of burst tests of this psychotic gun...It has an exhaust port for the flames...

[Dr Mordrid]

That 30 mm gat is the biggest gun I've ever seen. Though I thought the A-10 had already been scrapped by the USAF and only the national guard still had them?

Well...why would a 'scrapped' plane get a $420 million program to upgrade 356 A-10's with a new flight computer, glass cockpit displays & controls, two 5.5" color displays with moving maps, an integrated digital stores management system, a new data link, the ability to employ smart weapons (JDAM, Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser etc.) and the ability to carry two different advanced targeting pods (Northrop Grumman LITENING or the Lockheed Martin Sniper XR)?

Also: being assigned to the National Guard doesn't mean anything since a huge percentage of the USAF's planes are assigned to them and on call as needed by the President at Air National Guard bases throughout the US. Point of fact: most of the air units in Iraq and Afghanistan are Air National Guard units.

There is one just north of Detroit (Selfridge AGB) that could fight a pretty big war all by itself since its the HQ for not only the 127th Air Wing, 927th Air Refueling Wing and 191st Airlift Group but units of other forces; USAF, Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Marines.

Total: 550 on active duty, 1,720 civilian workers and 4,200 reservists and guardsmen.

It's the largest, most comprehensive & complex Reserve Forces base in the United States.

Google satellite view....

[MultimediaMan]

Not that the Airforce hasn't tried to get rid of it's ugly stepchild a time or two: they really want to get out of the CAS (Close Air Support) mission, but the Army and Marines (Yes, especially the Marines*) really like the ability of the A10 to put Hurt on the Dirt. And since the JCOS won't let the Army operate fixed wing aircraft, the Airforce is stuck with this aircraft.

Not that everyone in the Air Force minds all that much; the Pilots love them because it's one of the last true stick and rudder combat aircraft left in the world. The crews love them because they are easy to work on, and tough as nails. The top brass in the Air Force doesn't like them because they routinely operate 24/7, and the post mission-debriefings tend to interfere with their Tee Times.

*The F/A-18E Super Bugs are a great dual purpose fighter against fixed targets, but for a fluid situation, the Marines have to rely on the Harrier, which is a fantastic CAS platform, but with woefully short range and loiter. If the Marines could put A10s on their assault carriers, they would have 30 years ago.

[Dr Mordrid]

Many a Marine or Army soldier wouldn't have made it home without that ugly duck putting a big time hurt on the baddies. Might be the most effective ground support aircraft ever built.

Another reason for the pilots loving the A-10: that big titanium armor bathtub under their asses and the A-10's ability to fly home with half a tail, less than half a wing, one engine completely GONE, next to zero hydraulics, more holes than swiss cheese etc. etc.

One TOUGH sonofabitch.

Yup...if the Marines were given A-10's for their carriers it would cause a major joygasm.