"Hog Driver" wrote in message
...
But doesn't it sort of defeat the very idea of "survivable combat
aircraft"
when you need a SEAD package et al to keep it alive?

No. Idiots who think that one airplane can do every job might believe
that
to be so, but when it comes to CAS, the A-10 is combat proven (against
more
threats than you might think).

Well, F-16 is also "combat proven" in CAS, then...

Sure, passive protection will increase your survival chances in case of
hit
but does it really help if you're so slow that you get hit much more
often?

A-10s normally will operate in conditions where F-16s or F-15Es wouldn't
dare to. It's the nature of true CAS operations that you stick your neck
out for the guy on the ground, and take hits to support him. When you
have
that type of mindset going into the game, it's nice to have an aircraft
that
can take hits and make it home. Speed isn't always better when it comes
to
CAS.

Having an option of speed is always better than not having it. Sure, flying
too fast over the target won't do any good in CAS, but having speed reserve
increases your chances against missiles etc, plus it makes your plane more
viable to other roles. Hence, highly specialized turboprop plane is a poor
idea in modern battlefield.

Actually, A-10 operations to some well-defended areas were restricted
after
some were shot down. Against something like Crotale or SA-15, I'd rate
A-10's survival odds as very low. Or gun systems like Marksman,
Tunguska...those have _very high_ hit probabilities. A turboprop CAS
plane
would be even more vulnerable.

Again, the A-10 doesn't operate solely in such environments (SA-15, etc.),
for good reason.

And that good reason is that they're too vulnerable, despite all their
passive protection.

The SA-19/Tunguska and Marksman can be overflown even by the A-10, and
with
Precision Engagement coming online with A-10 squadrons (some Guard units
already possess the capability) it will turn into a LGB plink-fest.

Then, you are flying too high to perform effective CAS, plus your odds of
actually detecting those things you are supposed to bomb are very poor. See:
Allied Force.