AF Wants To Tell Soldiers & Grunts "You're On Your Own!"

[Diego in Seattle]

AF wants to remove 105mm cannon from AC130 gunships.

AF is alleging that they need to replace the cannon to put in better weapons to counter more advanced a/c & air-to-air weapons from more technically advanced countries (namely, China & Russia). And this comes after announcing the end to the A10 Warthog ("brrrrrrrt!").

My question is WTF are we spending so much money on the F-35 if they can't provide the air superiority that allows the AC130 & A10 to operate? How the fuck are ground troops supposed to operate if they can't get close air support (CAS)?

Are military contractors being given too much sway over the Pentagon?

[HighPlainsGrifter]

Are military contractors being given too much sway over the Pentagon?

I think so.

Contractors want blank check projects like developing new systems, not controlled-budget assignments like upgrading existing equipment.

[Meat Head]

Contractors want blank check projects like developing new systems,

Pretty sure they all ready have that. The business of America is Business they say . . .

and

"America doesn't have allies. It has business interests."

sig

H. Kissinger

[smackaholic]

There has been much debate over the retirement of the A-10.

Was this a good move?

How the fukk do I know? I wasn't an infantry guy or A-10 pilot.

Sadly, the decisions have more to do with what congressional district stuff is made in, than its efficacy.

That being said, my guess is that CAS will evolve thanks to technology. More drones controlled directly by the guys on the ground which will direct ordinance delivered from far away.