Re:How not to build a ship: the USS Ford
by throwaway7645 on Wednesday June 07, 2017 @09:47PM
(#14511280)
I understand that ground troops love the power of the A-10, basically the "tank of the skies". Not sure why we can't have classes of distinct planes now like bomber, fighter, ground-support, and reconnaissance. Pick 1 area and be the best possible plane at doing that. The jack of all trades plane seems to perform poorly at all those things.
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Re:How not to build a ship: the USS Ford
by dingaling on Thursday June 08, 2017 @04:40AM
(#14512814)
The USAF could transfer the A-10s to the US Army ( as has been proposed many times since the 1970s ) and focus on the supra-tactical missions, but that would require them to swallow their pride and end the Johnson-McConnell 'agreement'.
That dates back to 1966 and forbids the Army to operate armed fixed-wing aircraft. The USAF would rather keep the A-10s, no matter how unenthusiastically, than ever permit the Army to take control of the air-support mission. It is ridiculous that such 'pride' has any part in national security decisions.
Re:How not to build a ship: the USS Ford
by throwaway7645 on Thursday June 08, 2017 @07:13AM
(#14513304)
Never heard of that before. Pretty crazy.