Comments on: COIN Air Force on its Way

By: Longslide7

Longslide7 — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:34:43 +0000

Sky Raiders forever! Serious, an updated AD-4 or OV-10 would do fine and if produced in numbers would be fairly inexpensive. These two aircraft capacities are a good fit for the current needs of COIN CAS.
In 1952 a AD-4 took off from the deck of the USS Princeton with a Fuel/ Ordance load of 10,400 lb.; an OV-10 was once fitted with a 106mm RR
Don’t let the AF have them. Stick them in the 4th MAW **, Marines are the ones who, DO CAS. Navy Air is ok but

*(Carbon fiber body [?] and an engine that does not leak oil all over the place)
**(The Reserve Wing, this will keep them well maintained and crewed even when we are at “Peace”)

By: STemplar

STemplar — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 07:55:40 +0000

The concept is the biggest hurdle here. We may decide, just as we have a number of jets for different missions, that we need more than just one COIN aircraft option. Sometimes we might favor one capability over another and a single airframe might not be what we need. In any event, it will be nice to see us buy something we need, can already build, and doesn’t cost half of Costa Rica’s GDP each.

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:47:05 +0000

Would older USSR versions of the stinger be problematic for these planes? I imagine there are at least some that the Russians “lost” when the cold war ended.

By: JW

JW — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 23:23:48 +0000

elgatoso: Yes the p38 Lightning!!!
I vote for modernized those being contracted to an AMERICAN company!!

By: DC2 Jennings

DC2 Jennings — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 23:07:22 +0000

CDR Savard,
Good commentary sir.
DC2

By: Chuck

Chuck — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 13:42:26 +0000

Answer look at whats out there fly it and buy it, all this looking and seeing and profing doesn’t work, there are a number of Prop jobs out there that can fit the bill. As lone as its slow moving, can stay on station and deliver a knock out blow what is the problem. Politics aside we need slow movers to cover the troops and we need slow movers to remain in area to keep the bad guys down and out. Get on with the job and save lives that is more important than money or jobs.

By: tankerboy

tankerboy — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:40:02 +0000

its about time. we already have special forces to fight “irregular“forces. why not have a special aviation unit? how about Cessna caravan with a wing mounted mini gun and a 30 MM hanging out the rear cargo door.

By: mike j

mike j — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 18:17:43 +0000

CDR Savard–
Thanks for posting those links, good stuff. I’ll add one I found: http://www.volanteaircraft.com/l2vma.htm –also check out the “OV-10″ link.
I’d like to hear your opinion on Boeing maybe resurrecting the Bronco.

By: Dogsoldier

Dogsoldier — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:21:59 +0000

The TASK: Capable of Low & SLOW Operations
CONDITIONS: Air/Land/SEA Capable
STANDARDS: Support Ground Forces,
All Weather Capable
In Field Maintenance Capable,
Catalog Line Material Availability
Payload Usable
Cost Effective COIN Operations
End User Trainable / Easy
Transition Special Air Ops
Service Branch Immaterial
–END OF STORY–

By: Bob

Bob — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:27:41 +0000

@ Paul
Dual-qualifying and maintaining proficiency in a AT-6/OV-10 type aircraft and F-22/F-35 aircraft are worlds apart.
It is pretty common for fast mover pilots to rent or borrow a small prop plane for personal use and promptly bury it in the ground (often with their families and friends on board). The problem is that the prop planes don’t have all the reserve power and AOA capabilities that a fast mover has and it is easy to get into trouble you cannot power out of. The same principles would apply on the battlefield.