From the first low-and-slow-flying types to today’s high-tech jet aviators, the world of CAS operations has constantly changed and remains a vital force on the battlefield. From the thrills of flying in an F-16 Fighting Falcon, to the humongous presence of the AC-130 Spectre gunship, to the long-standing stalwart of the A-10 Thunderbolt II, each airframe helped shape modern warfare differently and vitally.
For many people, their dream is to experience the pure power and grace of a fighter jet, such as an F-16 Fighting Falcon. The feel of G-forces pushing you into your seat, the world shrinking as it falls below you-such feelings are simply not replicable. One person recently took the opportunity to fly in an F-16 and described it as an unforgettable flight. Anticipation was high the moment one strapped into the cockpit. The pilot, a seasoned Air Force veteran, gave an in-depth look at the controls of the aircraft, and safety procedures regarding every step taken, and emphasized how maneuverable the F-16 was.
Immediately, an adrenaline rush ensued-the engines started to roar, and the jet accelerated down the runway. The takeoff was intense, and subsequent loops, rolls, and dives in the air left the passenger breathless. The overwhelming G-forces were exuberant; this was an exhilarating flight that gave a new appreciation for the skill and dedication of fighter jet pilots.
The AC-130 Spectre gunship is slow, big, and lumbering but still a vital piece of America’s CAS capability. In a permissive environment, there is no other platform that can apply precision fire with the same devastating effect. The introduction of newer, more advanced aircraft into the US inventory including the F35 Joint Strike Fighter and armed remotely piloted aircraft among others has questioned its relevance.
Now a very common concept, the origins of the gunship idea hail back to the war in Vietnam: the AC-47 gunships, nicknamed “Puff the Magic Dragon”, were a product of the experimental Project Tailchaser. Thereby, the effectiveness that the AC-47 had in combat set the development pace for more advanced platforms, namely the AC-119G Shadow, AC-119K Stinger, and finally the AC-130A Project Gunship II.
Its vulnerability was partly shown during Operation Desert Storm when it lost an AC-130H Spectre gunship, called “Spirit 03”, to an Iraqi SA-7 man-portable surface-to-air missile. It has reinvented and proved its functions against ground targets and close air support missions, even until very recently against ISIS.
The latest variant, the AC-130J Ghostrider, is a big upgrade, packing next-generation weaponry and better performance. As Air Force Times reports, the AC-130J is “the most heavily-armed gunship in history,” loaded with 30mm and 105mm cannons, AGM-176A Griffin missiles, and even the ability to carry Hellfire missiles and GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs. The Ghostrider is lighter, faster, and more fuel-efficient compared to previous models, ensuring its viability on the modern battlefield.
The A-10 Thunderbolt II has stayed the stalwart workhorse for close air support since the aircraft’s creation in the 1970s. The A-10, provided by Fairchild Republic, has received much acclaim for its robustness and survivability, therefore capable of completing missions while successfully taking out targets on the ground. Design features of this aircraft include twin engines, a straight-wing configuration, and a nose-mounted 30mm rotary cannon, the GAU-8/A Avenger.
The main mission of the A-10 is close air support for ground forces. Besides FAC and CSAR duties, it is fitted with a GAU-8/A Avenger cannon with armor-piercing and high-explosive rounds among others. The onboard avionics systems are specially adapted to flying at low altitudes in close combat, and the design allows the aircraft to withstand considerable battle damage and survive.
Notwithstanding this, there have been successive plans to replace the A-10. At the center of the debate is whether modern war requires a peculiar capability CAS aircraft and whether new platforms are offering any advantages. The Congress will be forced to steer a middle course between these unique abilities of the A-10, the changing character of conflict, and lean budgets.
Any decision regarding the replacement of the A-10 must be based on a proper appraisal of battlefield requirements, where capability against that of potential replacements and cost-effectiveness have been weighed. The A-10 is legendary in its own right, and any decision regarding its fate has to ensure ground forces continue to get the essential support they need.
In summary, the development of close air support aircraft-from the agile F-16 Fighting Falcon to the heavy-ordnance-carrying AC-130 Spectre gunship and the robust A-10 Thunderbolt II-underlines the wide-ranging competencies called upon essentially to effectively support operations on the ground. Each has its positive attributes and its negatives, but taken together, the combination forms a formidable armada that guarantees the security and success of ground troops engaged in combat.