Government at it's worse -- the A10 Warthog survives despite being outdated (40 years) and duplicative.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/warthog-senator-politics-retiring-warplane-2021-07-16/

Useless patronage. Your tax dollars at work!

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spjennifer · 56-60, T

While the A10 may well be 40 years old, the purpose for it's continued existence has evolved, it is currently being used for Close Air Support or CAS. Many state that the F35 is the replacement for it but do we really want a $100M+ stealth fighter jet being shot at by AK 47's and RPG's? Ask any grunt on the ground how much we still need the A10's capability and see what kind of an answer you get. We still need the A10 or a replacement for it that doesn't cost $100M, the F35 wasn't designed to take the punishment that the A10 can absorb and still survive...

QuixoticSoul · 41-45, M

@spjennifer I doubt A-10 would stand up especially well to an RPG strike, good thing that’s a nearly impossible shot on something moving so fast - even if it’s comparatively slow for fixed-wing aircraft.

spjennifer · 56-60, T

@QuixoticSoul They've survived strikes from MANPAD's which are nothing more than a fancy RPG and were still able to land safely.

QuixoticSoul · 41-45, M

@spjennifer Shoot a manpad at a tank and see how it does - meanwhile the A-10 doesn’t have anything like a tank’s armor. MANPADs are pea shooters compared to an RPG - but they maneuver and are meant for very light skinned targets, so they do the job.

spjennifer · 56-60, T

@QuixoticSoul Agreed but the A10 does have 1200 lbs of Titanium armour protectng the pilot and vital systems, it's designed to take plenty of abuse, the F35 doesn't have any armour...

QuixoticSoul · 41-45, M

@spjennifer Yup, the famous tub. Rumored to have occasionally stood up to 57mm, though really it’s intended to protect against HMGs. An RPG will go through it like it’s nothing at all - but just try and hit a jet with an RPG.