Tank And Man-Killer King Of The Skies
BY Herschel Smith
2 years, 6 months ago
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — The 422nd and 59th Test and Evaluation Squadrons proved that modern-day armored vehicles equipped with Explosive Reactive Armor are vulnerable to the A-10C Thunderbolt II’s GAU-8 Avenger. This first-ever test was conducted at the Nevada Test and Training Range, February 14-25, 2022.
Each test mission included a two-ship of A-10Cs employing armor piercing incendiary rounds against two surrogate main battle tanks equipped with ERA. The pilots varied attack parameters and direction in order to evaluate weapons effects against the up-armored targets.
Through post-shot analysis of video, photo imagery, and visual inspection of the targets, analysts were able to ascertain the battle damage inflicted upon the tanks and determine that the tanks were rendered inoperative.
“A typical A-10 gun employment uses 120 rounds, which means an A-10 is capable of employing fires on nine to ten targets before exhausting its gun munitions,” said Maj. Kyle Adkison, 422nd TES A-10C division commander. “Against large fielded forces, A-10 formations are capable of engaging nearly 40 armored vehicles with 30 millimeter munitions. That’s a significant amount of firepower.”
In addition to 30mm gun rounds, the test also collected data on AGM-65L Maverick and AGR-20E Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System effectiveness against armored vehicles.
“This has been an ongoing test effort since the idea originated in 2020,” said 1st Lt. Christopher Earle, 59th TES A-10C operations test analyst. “Now that it’s come to fruition and proven successful, we will work towards testing other types of anti-armor munitions in the Air Force inventory against ERA and collect more data.”
The A-10 is well suited for Agile Combat Employment roles, and this test proves the A-10 can continue to deliver massive rapid firepower with devastating effects on enemy vehicles in a contested environment.
For all the folks who say that sexy-jet so-and-so is better, there is no jet in the USAF that can do what the A-10 does. For its purposes, it rules the skies.
Via WiscoDave.
On May 10, 2022 at 6:11 am, Wes said:
Somewhere an AF Deputy Something-or-Other (former F-16 driver) is foaming at the mouth wondering how that piece of heresy saw the light of day. LOL.
“Go ugly early.” – motto of the squadron that visits the area periodically to play
On May 10, 2022 at 7:54 am, Fred said:
When they split the air force from the army they signaled They’re intent to never win another war. Since that day they have been trying to integrate the mission of the two without integrating the component parts. It’s been either folly or by design. I say the latter.
The A-10 is the coolest jet ever, and neither do I think it’s ugly!
On May 10, 2022 at 9:17 am, Plague Monk said:
I’ve been arguing for over 30 years that USAF needs to give the Army the A-10 and remove the cannons from their other aircraft, including two scholarly papers I co-wrote, one in the mid-80s and the other some years later.
As a 462XX in the late 70s, I worked on both external gun pods on the Phantom F-4D and on the interior gun of the F-16A. Great Flipping Gawd what a nightmare!
On May 10, 2022 at 11:55 am, Bradley A Graham said:
The A 10 is just like the 45 ACP and the 30.06
Too old and too good.
On May 10, 2022 at 12:35 pm, Frank Clarke said:
Some objects are so ugly they have become beautiful…
On May 10, 2022 at 2:24 pm, Mack said:
Those of us who love the A-10 always call them by their true name —
Warthogs!!
Warthogs are beautiful.