Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!linac!att!cbnews!cbnews!military From: rudedog@unix.cis.pitt.edu (Parick J Volk) Newsgroups: sci.military Subject: Re: Why no Hellfire on fixed-wing attack aircraft? Message-ID: <1991Feb7.013855.1951@cbnews.att.com> Date: 7 Feb 91 01:38:55 GMT References: <1991Feb4.064043.20651@cbnews.att.com> Sender: military@cbnews.att.com (William B. Thacker) Organization: University of Pittsburgh, CIS Lines: 17 Approved: military@att.att.com From: "Parick J Volk" The hellfire is a rocket-assisted bomb, meaning the rocket is engaged in only part of the missiles flight. This makes it idea for helicopters, for they can be launched at standoff range. They are also laser designated, and can be used with ground based targeting lasers (third party targeting). The demos I have seen of this weapon always show the helicopter operating still... I don't think this has to be the case. However, on an A-10, I think this would be the improper choice of weapon. A plane-mounted bomb really doesn't need a rocket assist, and also wouldn't need the range boost that the rocket gives this bomb. The A-10 is a close-ground support aircraft, and it would defeat the purpose to fit it with standoff range bombs, especially of this type. It has the speed to get into range to release glide bombs.