Small Scale Conflicts, The Future

[Ths]

There is a severe problem using trainer for CAS: MANPADs.
These are quite cheap and readily available.
To avoid them you need speed, or you run out of flares before you reach the combat zone - AAAAND lighting up like a christmas tree all the way to the target sort of runs counter to the stealth fashion.
The alternative is armour - as much as you can carry on a smallish aircraft.
The A-10 is a fine aircraft; but it is underpowered.

I guess what I'm really saying is there is a need for an for good smallish aircraft engine, field maitainable and cheap. Maybe some of the missile engines should be taken into consideration???.
Slapping the aluminium (or kevlar) around the power unit(s) shouldn't be tooo difficult ??

 

[Tasman]

There is a severe problem using trainer for CAS: MANPADs.
These are quite cheap and readily available.
To avoid them you need speed, or you run out of flares before you reach the combat zone - AAAAND lighting up like a christmas tree all the way to the target sort of runs counter to the stealth fashion.
The alternative is armour - as much as you can carry on a smallish aircraft.
The A-10 is a fine aircraft; but it is underpowered.

I guess what I'm really saying is there is a need for an for good smallish aircraft engine, field maitainable and cheap. Maybe some of the missile engines should be taken into consideration???.
Slapping the aluminium (or kevlar) around the power unit(s) shouldn't be tooo difficult ??

This certainly points the way to the need for a new design. It seems that a modern CAS aircraft needs to be:

1. fast,
2. well armoured,
3. easy to maintain in forward areas, and
4. cheap.

Is it possible to combine these attributes or do we end up with something like an F35 which doesn't satisfy the fourth requirement of being cheap?

Alternatively should we be looking at expendable UCAVs for the CAS role?

Cheers

 

[Ths]

Well I don't care much for UAV's in a low and dirty scenario - part of the problem will be the loss of contact.

And if you go for that solution, then I would prefer airmobile artillery.

The problem is as You stated: You've got to compromise somewhere - possibly cut down on armour.

 

[Mick73]

Is there a solution to suppress MANPADS? Could an aircraft of the PC-9 or Hawk 127 survive with this kind of threat and could a fast jet really survive in an enviroment like that. If there is F/A-18 flying a bomb run or a Hawk doing CAS...which one would they shoot first? Are we talking about a skilled AD operation or a Rebel with a stinger? MANPADS or AAA is a threat to everything flying. Is there a way of countering this threat?
I could see the RAAF using these trainers in a CAS role, in certain enviroments. Maybe some kind of pairing up of fast jets and trainers going on MANPAD hunts with possibly AP-3C's doing some high level bomb truck work with JDAMs or similar.
I believe our forces (ADF) should have secondary roles for as many of of our assets, that can be used if the need arises.
For example:
Crewman in MBTs might find a role with having anti-armour training which then could be used in a dismounted way for bunker busting.
Hawk aircrew trianed in CAS in low level MANPAD threat enviroments. It would free up the faster jets from this duty or increase the level of that can be provided.

 

[Ths]

Actually the Hawk would not be to bad as a CAS aircraft, as it has the speed to avoid the MANPAD's and the handling to do it at very low level, robust to suffer hamfisted students. And it has a decent range and endurence. Itr would be my choise if I was limited to what's on the market.

 

[Sgt.Banes]

Though it has been a while since the has been a "total war" in which most of the 1st world was engaged in heavy combat. We may see the rise of it again I predict.