Hill rolls out Warthogs

Source URL: http://www.hilltoptimes.com/story.asp?edition=262&storyid=7166
Posted at: http://www.air-attack/com/news/news_article/2027

With a name like Warthog, you would think the modifications being made on the A-10 precision engagement aircraft would be external.
While the plane received its nickname for its rugged looking exterior, all talk at the 508th Aircraft Sustainment Wing Friday concerned what is happening inside the plane.
In a roll-out ceremony Friday, Hill celebrated the contract with Lockheed Martin that calls for 356 A-10 Warthogs to receive internal structural modifications here over the next six years.
Among the new, high-tech changes the aircraft will receive are new glass cockpit displays and full targeting pod integration. The modifications to the aircraft will reduce pilot workload, make the plane more lethal, and make it safer.
“I’d give my right arm to hop back in that airplane one more time,” said Gen. Bruce Carlson, commander of Air Force Materiel Command. “I flew the airplane as recently as a year ago and the plane I flew then was significantly different then the one I flew in the ‘70s and ‘80s, and with this upgrade, it’s just an incredible leap forward.”
The modifications are the largest and most sophisticated the fighter has seen in its 30 year history.
“This aircraft has never gone through a major modification; this is the biggest thing we have ever done to it,” said Lt. Col. Kevin Campbell, an A-10 pilot with the Maryland Air National Guard. “With the modifications made to this plane, it’s much easier for us to identify them and be able to stay back a lot farther then we used to, keeping us out of the threat envelope, which makes it a much more survivable airplane.”
According to Jeff Bantle, vice president and general manager of multi-mission solutions at Lockheed Martin, the modifications to the plane were made with the pilot in mind.
“We have worked with the pilots extensively,” Mr. Bantle said. “They are the actual users who fly the machine. We have had them in our labs in Owego (New York) to make sure what we put in the flight data tapes is what they want and what they need.”
Officials said the work being done on the Warthog only add to the great battlefield reputation the plane has already cemented.
“The airplane has a tremendous history of going out and doing some very lethal work and taking a significant beating and bringing the pilot back home alive,” General Carlson said. “This will keep this plane viable probably for another 15 years.”
Colonel Campbell said the new and improved A-10 will continue its job of close air support, and now do it even better.
“The greatest thing I can think of is showing up and making a couple passes, a couple gun runs, so the enemy disengages and then hearing a friendly soldier on the ground, literally whispering because the enemy is that close, saying ‘Thank God you guys were here.’’’

---

Print this page

Visit Air-Attack.com for more military aviation and defense industry news