A-10 can’t be retired, says Senate Armed Forces Committee
The 61st annual NDAA supports a total of $777.9 billion in fiscal year 2022 funding for national defense. Within this topline, the legislation authorizes $740.3 billion for the Department of Defense (DOD) and $27.7 billion for national security programs within the Department of Energy (DOE). This legislation, like the President’s budget request, does not include a separate Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) request – any war-related costs are included in the base budget.
Extends the requirement to maintain a minimum capacity of Air Force fighter aircraft.
Prohibits the Air Force from developing a follow-on tanker to the KC-46 until the
Remote Vision System (RVS) is fully operational.
Prohibits reduction in the Air Force’s C-130 total aircraft inventory below 292 aircraft.
Prohibits retiring any A-10 aircraft in fiscal year 2022.
Authorizes retirement of up to 18 KC-135 aircraft and 12 KC-10 aircraft in fiscal year
2022 to facilitate the acceleration of KC-46 bed down.
Prohibits further reductions in B-1 bombers until such time as the B-21 aircraft begins
fielding.
Directs DOD transition of F-35 program sustainment from the Joint Program Office to
the Air Force and Navy.
Army
Authorizes procurement of AH–64E Apache helicopters.
Increases research, development, test and evaluation funding for Army modernization
priorities and enduring capabilities that enable multi-domain operations against near-
peer competitors.
Increases procurement of enduring combat aircraft, armored fighting vehicles, and
munitions at or above the Chief of Staff unfunded requirements list level.
Supports requested funding for rapid development and fielding of land-based long-
range fires, including Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), Medium-Range Capability (MRC), and Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), but requires a report on LRHW munitions costs and alternatives.
Supports requested funding for Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) and Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA), and increases funding for Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS).
Authorizes increased funding for enduring UH-60L Black Hawk and CH-47F Block-II Chinook helicopters by $377 million, and authorizes procurements of AH-64E Apache and UH-60M and HH-60M Black Hawk helicopters.
Authorizes increased funding for enduring aircraft improvements, including $15 million for Apache non-line-of-site munitions integration and improved tail rotor, and $21 million total for Chinook advanced engine development, vibration control system, and integrated cargo handling and ballistic protection.
Supports Next Generation Combat Vehicle programs, including Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF), Robotic Combat Vehicles (RCV) and Optionally-Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV), but requires a report on analysis used to refine OMFV requirements before physical prototyping.
Authorizes increased funding by $746 million for procurement of enduring combat vehicles, including the Abrams tank, Bradley fighting vehicle, Paladin self-propelled howitzer, and Joint Light Tactical Vehicle.
Authorizes increased funding for continued development of enduring combat vehicles including $64 million for Abrams tank technologies and $21 million for Stryker and Bradley active protection systems.
Requires the Army to establish military standards for high-hardness armor and a strategy for its incorporation into combat vehicles.
Requires a report on tactical and combat vehicle electrification, and authorizes increased funding for development of the Electronic Light Reconnaissance Vehicle (eLRV).
Supports requested funding for Integrated Air and Missile Defense capabilities, and requires a report on the Army’s efforts to reconstitute its Short Range Air Defense (SHORAD) capabilities to meet current and future air threats to ground forces.
Supports procurement of the Integrated Visual Augmentations System (IVAS) consistent with ongoing development, and requires a post-operational-test report on system development, functionality, and suitability, and the plan for continued iterative improvement.
Supports continued improvements to body armor to include assessing the benefits of using Warm Isostatic Press technology to reduce weight, authorizing an additional $2.9 million for development of anthropomorphic body armor, and ensures procurement practices prioritize servicemembers over cost savings.
Authorizes increased funding for man-portable radiological detection systems for National Guard Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) response teams.
Requires reports on future funding adequacy for CH-47F Block II, armored combat vehicles, and munitions.
Authorizes all other unfunded requirements as requested by the Chief of Staff of the Army.
In addition to pay raises and benefits, the Act authorizes $777 B and more
Mission
The A-10 Thunderbolt II has excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude, and is a highly accurate and survivable weapons-delivery platform. The aircraft can loiter near battle areas for extended periods of time and operate in low ceiling and visibility conditions. The wide combat radius and short takeoff and landing capability permit operations in and out of locations near front lines. Using night vision goggles, A-10 pilots can conduct their missions during darkness.
Thunderbolt IIs have Night Vision Imaging Systems, or NVIS, goggle compatible single-seat cockpits forward of their wings and a large bubble canopy which provides pilots all-around vision. The pilots are protected by titanium armor that also protects parts of the flight-control system. The redundant primary structural sections allow the aircraft to enjoy better survivability during close air support than did previous aircraft. The aircraft can survive direct hits from armor-piercing and high explosive projectiles up to 23mm. Their self-sealing fuel cells are protected by internal and external foam. Manual systems back up their redundant hydraulic flight-control systems. This permits pilots to fly and land when hydraulic power is lost.
The A-10 has received many upgrades over the years. In 1978, the aircraft received the Pave Penny laser receiver pod, which sensed reflected laser radiation from a laser designator. Pave Penney has now been discontinued in favor more capable advanced targeting pods. The A-10 began receiving an inertial navigation system in 1980. Later, the Low-Altitude Safety and Targeting Enhancement (LASTE) upgrade provided computerized weapon-aiming equipment, an autopilot, and a ground-collision warning system. In 1999, aircraft began to receive Global Positioning System navigation systems and a new multi-function display. In 2005, the entire A-10 fleet began receiving the Precision Engagement upgrades that include an improved fire control system (FCS), electronic countermeasures (ECM), upgraded cockpit displays, the ability to deliver smart bombs, moving map display, hands on throttle and stick, digital stores management, LITENING and Sniper advanced targeting pod integration, situational awareness data link or SADL, variable message format, or VMF, GPS-guided weapons, and upgraded DC power. The entire A-10 fleet has been Precision Engagement modified and now carries the A-10C designation.
The Thunderbolt II can be serviced and operated from austere bases with limited facilities near battle areas. Many of the aircraft’s parts are interchangeable left and right, including the engines, main landing gear and vertical stabilizers. Avionics equipment includes multi-band communications; Global Positioning System and inertial navigations systems; infrared and electronic countermeasures against air-to-air and air-to-surface threats. And, it has a heads-up display to display flight and weapons delivery information.
The Thunderbolt II can employ a wide variety of conventional munitions, including general purpose bombs, cluster bomb units, laser guided bombs, joint direct attack munitions or JDAM, wind corrected munitions dispenser or WCMD, AGM-65 Maverick and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, rockets, illumination flares, and the GAU-8/A 30mm cannon, capable of firing 3,900 rounds per minute to defeat a wide variety of targets including tanks.
Background
The first production A-10A was delivered to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., in October 1975. The upgraded A-10C reached initial operation capability in September 2007. Specifically designed for close air support, its combination of large and varied ordnance load, long loiter time, accurate weapons delivery, austere field capability, and survivability has proven invaluable to the United States and its allies. The aircraft has participated in operations Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Provide Comfort, Desert Fox, Noble Anvil, Deny Flight, Deliberate Guard, Allied Force, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
General characteristics
Primary function: close air support, airborne forward air control, combat search and rescue
Contractor: Fairchild Republic Co.
Power plant: two General Electric TF34-GE-100 turbofans
Thrust: 9,065 pounds each engine
Wingspan: 57 feet, 6 inches (17.42 meters)
Length: 53 feet, 4 inches (16.16 meters)
Height: 14 feet, 8 inches (4.42 meters)
Weight: 29,000 pounds (13,154 kilograms) Maximum Takeoff Weight: 51,000 pounds (22,950 kilograms) Fuel Capacity: 11,000 pounds (7,257 kilograms)
Payload: 16,000 pounds (7,257 kilograms)
Speed: 450 nautical miles per hour (Mach 0.75)
Range: 2580 miles (2240 nautical miles)
Ceiling: 45,000 feet (13,636 meters)
Armament: one 30 mm GAU-8/A seven-barrel Gatling gun; up to 16,000 pounds (7,200 kilograms) of mixed ordnance on eight under-wing and three under-fuselage pylon stations, including 500 pound (225 kilograms) Mk-82 and 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms) Mk-84 series low/high drag bombs, incendiary cluster bombs, combined effects munitions, mine dispensing munitions, AGM-65 Maverick missiles and laser-guided/electro-optically guided bombs; infrared countermeasure flares; electronic countermeasure chaff; jammer pods; 2.75-inch (6.99 centimeters) rockets; illumination flares and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.
Crew: one
Unit cost: $18.8 million