A-10 vs. F-35 fly-off may begin next year. What plane will come out on top?

SP5 Mark Kuzinski — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 10:51:31 -0500

The A-10 Thunderbolt II is set to go up against the F-35 in a series of weapons tests as early as next year under a stipulation in the latest National Defense Authorization Act, the annual defense policy and spending bill. The legislation also prohibits retirement of the Warthog until the Air Force can prove the F-35’s ability to conduct close air support missions on the battlefield. (Comments)

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Jan 27 at 2017 11:54 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 11:54:34 -0500

Regardless of the results, I think anyone that has seen the A-10 in action will side with that aircraft. There is no better sound then hearing one coming in for a run when you are in a bad place.

Response by SGT William Howell made Jan 27 at 2017 12:27 PM

SGT William Howell — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 12:27:25 -0500

In close ground support roll nothing will beat the A-10. The plane was designed around a gun with every thought by Fairchild with the purpose in killing people and equipment on the ground. The F-35 was designed to be a Swiss army knife. It is designed to do a bunch of things good, but not able to do any one thing exceptional. The A-10 is a chainsaw. It has one job and it does that job better than anything else out there. The only exception I would think that the F-35 would excel in is survivability from surface to air missiles because of the stealth built into it.

Then there is the human factor. A-10 guys only purpose in life is to help troops on the ground. They live and breath ground support. F-35 pilots got a ton to do to fill a multi-roll aircraft driver roll.

The F-35 is so far behind in testing and is no where near ready to actually drop a bomb on anything. I would put money on the thing will not be ready for a flyoff with a Cessna by next year.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Jan 27 at 2017 1:43 PM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 13:43:14 -0500

I believe the A-10 will come out on top if the tests objectives aren't skewed. The F-35 is good for Air to Ground and possible Air to Air but for direct CAS...nothing out there will ever beat the hog for its ability to stay on target with its ability to turn around and hit again within seconds. Just my two pennies worth.

Response by Alan K. made Jan 27 at 2017 6:38 PM

Alan K. — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 18:38:02 -0500

Radically proven in combat versus many problems........
I will go with reliable support every time. A-10

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jan 28 at 2017 3:23 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sat, 28 Jan 2017 15:23:08 -0500

The gun!

Response by SPC Negel Mohammed made Jan 29 at 2017 8:03 AM

SPC Negel Mohammed — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 08:03:36 -0500

I think that the A10 would do better at the job it was design to do ,but I think they will create a test that would only show the A10 at things it is not good in order to save face and then say the American people deserves the best.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jan 30 at 2017 1:40 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 13:40:51 -0500

Go Hogs!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2017 12:09 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 00:09:27 -0500

That would depend on the mission you are asking it to perform.
SEAD/DEAD - F-35
A/A - F-35
ISR - F-35
CAS - A-10

Response by Capt Edward Hannan made Jan 31 at 2017 10:56 AM

Capt Edward Hannan — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 10:56:25 -0500

F-35 will come out on top lust like the old A-10 Sky Raider was replaced by F4B 50 years ago. the troops on the ground com out on the short end of the stick. Pentagon contractors come out on top. $$$$$ count

Response by Sgt Mark Bailey made Jan 31 at 2017 11:04 AM

Sgt Mark Bailey — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 11:04:39 -0500

The A-10 should win this battle but the F-35 will be chosen because of the money pit it has become.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2017 11:27 PM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 23:27:40 -0500

The A-10 because it's proven itself time & time again, however the capabilities of the F-35 wouldn't surprise me for Close Air Support one bit...

Response by SFC Bill Snyder made Feb 3 at 2017 7:32 AM

SFC Bill Snyder — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 07:32:13 -0500

I heard somewhere, the the F-35 has difficulty landing in the fog. Also, if you don't sign on while in the aircraft, to some obscure computer system in texas, the Aircraft will not fly. Sometimes, low and slow is the best. Who can remember the A-1 Sky Raider in Vietnam? Linger on target much longer and lower than the Jets, who had to go refuel. I think, take these type of aircraft and give them to the army who would jump at the chance. Again, remember the C-7 Caribou? Army Pilots flew then when the Air Force was scared due to weather.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2017 6:54 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 18:54:48 -0500

Here is an update on what the F-35 is currently doing.
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/222510/f-35a-proving-its-worth-red-flag-combat-exercise

F-35A proving its worth at Red Flag combat exercise

After eight days “at war” the F-35A Lightning II is proving to be an invaluable asset during Red Flag 17-01, the Air Force’s premier air combat exercise held at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Feb 22 at 2017 11:12 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 23:12:52 -0500

Personally I prefer the A10- Warthog SP5 Mark Kuzinski

Response by SFC George Smith made Feb 22 at 2017 11:25 PM

SFC George Smith — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 23:25:28 -0500

here we go again...
the Clowns in the Nose Bleed sections comparing Apples to Oranges again...
You have 2 different weapons systems and 2 different missions... and that what the Clowns In the low Oxygen concentration department are forgetting about...

The Stealth Capability of the F-35 is Lost as soon as you clamp on the Out side ordinance... and the internal bays are capable ot handle the amounts needed to maintain a sustained Fire support mission... such as the A-10

The F-35 was supposed to be The Next generation of Stealth Air Superiority Fighter...
Now a Knock down drag out Ground Ponding Grunt like the rest of In the trenches want and Need when the "Fit Hit the Shan."...

i was in WA State when the F-35 was shelved in favor of the F-22 in the Mid 90's... so the concept and design is already 25 years Old...

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Feb 23 at 2017 6:55 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 06:55:00 -0500

My money is on the A-10 Warthog. Like the heavy armament.