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From: jimcat@rpi.edu (Jim Kasprzak)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Naval use of A-10's
Summary: maybe a different use than usual?
Message-ID: <1991Mar20.034011.1839@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 20 Mar 91 03:40:11 GMT
Sender: military@cbnews.att.com (william.b.thacker)
Organization: The Big Wedge
Lines: 29
Approved: military@att.att.com



From: jimcat@rpi.edu (Jim Kasprzak)
 
 I've followed the thread about why the Navy doesn't or shouldn't 
use A-10's on their carriers. Most of the arguments I've seen make
sense, and I agree that CAS isn't the mission of the Navy, but I
wonder if perhaps the A-10's might find an alternate role in the 
Navy as anti-ship weapons.
 
 I first noticed this concept when Tom Clancy played with it in
_The Hunt For red October_, and while I realize that Clancy isn't
the most accurate source, he does do his homework with respect 
to military hardware, and the basic idea seems like it just might
work. The A-10's nap-of-the-earth flying ability would be ideal
for skimming the seas undetected by radar, and I'd imagine that 
its tank-killing cannon could play havoc with the lightly armored
destroyers and frigates of today.
 
 So would this actually be a feasible concept? I can think of a 
few reasons why it might not be, such as an anti-ship missile
doing the job more safely and cheaply than an A-10. But has anyone
ever seriously looked into the possibilities of using A-10's 
against small vessels? I'd be interested to hear what people think
about it, whether it's a good idea or not and why.
-- 
 Jim Kasprzak          kasprzak@mts.rpi.edu (internet)
 RPI, Troy, NY         userfe0u@rpitsmts.bitnet
 "A spirit with a vision is a dream with a mission."  -Rush