Ukraine turns up nose to A-10 offer ..

[Dekster]

Americans are very likey already on the ground there.

It is possible that some of our troops in Poland have made the quick jaunt across the border for a day trip to far western Ukraine, but I am skeptical they have gotten anywhere close to the action yet. If that were the case, I would expect to see Ukrainians throw them under the bus so we would have to get involved.

 

[HereWeGoAgain]

The U.S. and EU are starting to figure out they've backed the loosing side.
Basically, a bottomless money pit with no political way to exit.

A bottomless money pit that goes right back in dem pockets.
The Ukraine is crooked as hell and in bed with the bidens I would bet half of that money isnt going to the Ukraine military it's lining the pockets of Ukrainian politicians and the dems.

 

[Missourian]

Good article here if you have the time...

Nobody Wanted the A-10 Warthog—and Now It’s the Military’s Most Beloved Plane

50 years ago, the A-10 Warthog was seen as a dud—"a leprous project led by a pariah.” How did it become the military's most beloved plane? Brrrt!

www.historynet.com

 

[Missourian]

Americans are very likey already on the ground there.

"Military Advisors".

 

[Missourian]

What battles would that be? ...

Ukraine doesn't have the military infrastructure to handle A-10s ... more than just pilots, it's maintenance crews, supply chains ... bullets ... NATO Nations have all this, Warsaw Bloc Nations don't ... Ukraine needs MiGs ... and guns that shoot Warsaw Bloc ammo ...

Then why are they coming to us.

We don't have any MiGs.

Ukraine says air force needs western fighter jets, and the US is preparing to help

“Older U.S. systems are a possibility” as Ukraine builds its future air force, U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Missourian]

Good article here if you have the time...

Nobody Wanted the A-10 Warthog—and Now It’s the Military’s Most Beloved Plane

50 years ago, the A-10 Warthog was seen as a dud—"a leprous project led by a pariah.” How did it become the military's most beloved plane? Brrrt!

www.historynet.com

A few highlights...

"At the fourth location, the A-10 flight leader reported that yes, now he could see through his binocs people around a farm building, but there was no sign of weapons or hostile activity. He refused to attack, so the JTAC assigned the CAS mission to a loitering B-1 bomber that used satellite-guided bombs to obliterate an Afghan husband, wife and five children. Apparently, remote targeting systems still need work."

_______

"By zoomy blue-suiter standards, the A-10 is painfully slow. It can do just over 365 knots but usually flies strikes at 300 knots or less. The typical jokes are that A-10s don’t have instrument panel clocks, they have calendars. And bird strikes from behind are a big risk."

 

[Fort Fun Indiana]

They are indeed a prized commodity.

But they are sitting ducks, unless you have air superiority.

Ukraine wants fighter jets.

 

[JustAGuy1]

But they are sitting ducks, unless you have air superiority.

Ukraine wants fighter jets.

Do you want War with Russia?

 

[Fort Fun Indiana]

Do you want War with Russia?

Irrelevant. This thread is not about me. Make a point.

 

[odanny]

A bottomless money pit that goes right back in dem pockets.
The Ukraine is crooked as hell and in bed with the bidens I would bet half of that money isnt going to the Ukraine military it's lining the pockets of Ukrainian politicians and the dems.

Oh sweet Jeebus...

 

[cnm]

But they are sitting ducks, unless you have air superiority.

One doesn't even need air superiority, MANPADS will do since the Hog has to get so low, slow and close to use its cannon.

 

[whitehall]

Nobody left in Ukie country who can fly the things and the president ain't talking for the time being.

 

[App'z]

Most all aircraft flights in Ukraine are below the radar, 1000' and below. They fly at around 450 mph. The problem is the type of Pilot and the type of ammo. Ukraine is not ready for the capabilities of the A10. They want 50 / 100 mile ranged rockets and tons of Drones to do GPS targeting. Thas a no brainer. Most likely the biggest problem is Jet fuel. Rockets come with fuel and Drones use little in comparison the the millions of gallons the 30 A10 will burn every couple of months. Ukraine will need an entire industry built up to replace A10 parts damaged in daily combat by small arms fire. A squadron of A10 can turn a column of tanks and support to junk in just maybe 20 minutes. But you have to have surprise. Russia intended to drive in and just take / have the Ukes government get in jets, flee and they have said no thanks from the very start last FEb. Putin played his bluff and not so good a poker player is a thought ! If the free world helps the Ukraine remain independence with its land intact we got a friend forever. If not we free types are really dumb.

 

[para bellum]

A-10's have always been subject to ground fire whether we had air superiority or not.

Both sides are flying fighter jets, but only right along the line of contact and mostly keeping to their side. There aren't any air-to-air engagements with fast jets in this war, and any F-16 flying over eastern Ukraine is potentially exposed to S-400's fired from Crimea or Russian territory.

The threat from the long and medium range mobile ADA keeps everyone close the ground. A high flying F-16 is more likely to get downed by S-300 than an A-10 flying at 200 feet AGL. The Russians have already shot down at least 2 of their own Sukhois, the wreckage is documented as well as the SAM launches.

A-10's are made to work in that environment, they can take a ton of damage and keep flying. And they can be patched together quickly and put right back in the fight. I think a Ukrainian SU-25 driver would be thrilled to be in an A-10, and it would be a shorter transition for him than any F-series. Plus just a lot easier to maintain and keep flying.

 

[toobfreak]

A-10s are effin' awesome and we don't have enough of them as it is...so I for one am very pleased that Ukraine snubbed the U.S. offer to supply them with the battle tested aircraft...

Our A-10 isn't good enough for Ukraine? No good for combating troops on the ground? They obviously haven't SEEN our A-10s in action! Maybe we should sell 30 or 50 of them to the Russians then see what Zelensky thinks on them.

 

[toobfreak]

Basically, a bottomless money pit with no easy way to exit.

Sounds like an excellent recap of the entire Biddum Administration.

 

[toobfreak]

If Ukraine can get control of these missiles,

How is pathetic weak little Ukraine 45th in GDP going to do that against Russia? THEY AIN'T. Not unless WE go in there by proxy or covertly and secretly DO IT/HANDLE IT FOR them. And Joe will try--- he'll try dancing with the devil purely just because he needs to save face and personal EGO built from years dealings with Putin as that little guy in the back row now CIC of the USA having stuck his big fat ass into the mess from Day 1.

UA ground forces appear to be more than a match for Russian ground forces.

How many more lives are you willing to sacrifice and still not save Ukraine? You have some lot stock tip you wanna share?

 

[HereWeGoAgain]

Oh sweet Jeebus...

And?

 

[App'z]

An Executive Decision, build them, arm them and ship them is all it needs to have it happen. The rest is a no brainer. Finance isn't even a question !

 

[Augustine_]

A-10s are effin' awesome and we don't have enough of them as it is...so I for one am very pleased that Ukraine snubbed the U.S. offer to supply them with the battle tested aircraft...

Ukraine Says It Needs ‘Fast and Versatile’ Aircraft, Not the A-10 | Air & Space Forces Magazine

U.S. Air Force leaders weighed in on fighter aircraft to Ukraine, but they may be suggesting the wrong platform, said a Ukrainian official.

www.airforcemag.com

The A-10's success at slaughtering impoverished 3rd world middle easterners may not translate to a war where the enemy is able to shoot down slow planes.