Pentagon to test F-35 Joint Strike Fighter against A-10 Warthog in upcoming showdown
The F-35 has been designated to replace the A-10, a four-decade-old warplane.
WASHINGTON — The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will compete against the A-10 Thunderbolt II in missions including close air support, combat search and rescue in order to determine whether the new fighter jet can replace the aging warthog.
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The A-10 is specifically designed for close air support and can fly at low speeds and altitudes. U.S. AIR FORCE
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"To me, comparison testing just makes common sense," J. Michael Gilmore, the Defense Department's director of operational test and evaluation was quoted as saying by Stars and Stripes. "If you're spending a lot of money to get improved capability, that's the easiest way to demonstrate it is to do a rigorous comparison test."
The F-35, with a wingspan of 36 feet and the top speed of Mach 1.6, has a unit price of $98 million. It has been designated to replace the A-10, a four-decade-old warplane which only costs about a fifth of an F-35. The F-35 costs $67,500 per flight hour while the A-10 only costs $11,500.
The F-35 allows pilots to share data immediately with others and is equipped with advanced stealth and radar-jamming capabilities. Its helmet also gives the pilot a 360-degree view of their surroundings. With its stealth features, the F-35 is designed to destroy its target from long distance instead of engaging in a close distance dogfight.
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The F-35 allows pilots to share data with others and is equipped with advanced stealth and radar-jamming capabilities. LOCKHEED MARTIN
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The A-10 is designed for close air support, so it can fly at low speeds and altitudes. Its GAU-8 Avenger 30mm gatling gun fires depleted uranium bullets at 3,900 rounds per minute. Pilots in the A-10 are protected by a titanium compartment. The aircraft can survive direct hits and high explosives projectiles up to 23 mm.
The A-10 is now deployed in Iraq and Syria in the war against the Islamic State. Despite its old age, members of Congress and troops believe the A-10 has unique capabilities in supporting ground forces.
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