Needs, Effectiveness, and Gap Assessment for Key A-10C Missions: An Overview of Findings
Abstract
To comply with a congressional directive in the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2016regarding the capabilities to replace the A-10C aircraft, RAND Project AIR FORCE analyzed a range of missions assigned to the A-10C aircraft: troops-in-contact/close air support (CAS), forward air controller (airborne)(FAC[A]), air interdiction, strike control and reconnaissance, and combat search and rescue support (CSAR).RAND analyzed the needs that this mission set might generate in the next five years and assessed existing and planned forces effectiveness and capability gaps in performing those missions. RAND found that U.S. Air Forceprogrammed forces can effectively conduct these missions with few gaps when flying in air defense environments characteristic of current counterinsurgency operations. Certain gapsin responsive CAS, FAC(A),and CSAR, for examplecould widen if A-10Cs are removed from the force. With or without A-10Cs, the Air Forceprogrammed forces will be challenged to perform some missions in environments with more capable air defenses, unless changes are identified and made to tactics, equipment, and training.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1029175
Entities
People
- Alexander C. Hou
- Amado Cordova
- Christopher S Lynch
- Colin Ludwig
- Daniel M. Norton
- David Blanett
- Jeff Hagen
- Michael Bohnert
- Muharrem Mane
- Nicholas A. O'donoughue
- Ravi Rajan
- Sherrill Lingel
- Shou-ju Chou
- Thomas Hamilton
- William Stanley
Organizations
- RAND Corporation