Yeah, they definitely have potential if the engineers and scientists could make them more efficient in size and energy needs. It just doesn't seem like anyone, including the US and Chinese, are there quiet yet.
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If they bought their parts of Alibaba it isn't going to work very long.
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Footage of Russian Su-25 'Frogfoot' shot down over Syria from an Israeli news source, its the most complete footage I can find... skip to 1:15 or so for best views

Bear in mind the Frogfoot is their version of our A-10 Warthog, so I'm fairly surprised he wasnt able to at least get over friendly territory before having to bail out



I certainly have no particular love for Russia, but still feel pretty bad for the pilot, Major Philip Romanov, who burned up 2 of 3 pistol magazines fighting back before blowing himself up with the single grenade their pilots carry, so as not to be taken alive by Muslim nutjobs... thats a helluva thing for any man to have to do

Major Romanov
https://goo.gl/images/nAr6y3

A comparison of the Frogfoot vs the mighty Warthog


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Watch what just one short burst from an A-10 gatling gun can do to a vehicle, footage from an attack on the Taliban released just yesterday


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Russia is apparently in the daydream stage of wanting an answer for the upcoming B21 Raider

Looks pretty cool, but even in CGI form, it doesnt appear very stealthy... you GOTTA read all the comments :-), people are ripping it to shreds much to the dismay of the many Russians in there defending their honor


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Hopefully everyone that wants to mothball the Warthog was in that vehicle.
(not really)
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Its mind bottling why the AF is so dead set on ditching a 1000x over proven performer like the A-10

Have you seen some of the proposed replacements? Its all rinkydink, easily broken junk... tiny little propeller aircraft? GTFO

Here are the three top candidates to replace the A-10, you tell me why anyone would rather be flying, or protected by, one of these

https://taskandpurpose.com/a-10-wart...r-replacement/
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As long as the middle east exists I don't think the warthhog is going anywhere despite out of touch politicians that couldn't operate a daisy BB guns wishes.
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Wow, somebody is trying to land a production contract. That makes no sense what so ever.
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Saw this recently - Troops working with robots for ground operations:

http://www.defenseone.com/technology...-shoot/145854/
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Seriously man, just one look at those diminutive little things is enough to bust out laughing... how any serious military man could propose any of them as replacements is beyond me

Oh yeah, the wave of the future for sure... armed atvs following infantry, armed mini tanks escorting Abrams, drone squads for individual fighter planes etc etc

Its fascinating, the ultimate force multiplier
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Most of these airframes are SO old, it’s not a competency issue as it is a safety/ cost per hour issue. And yes depleted uranium is yummy.
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Why not start building new and improved A-10s?

I assume you're aware of the proposed replacements, theres just no way they even come close in the lethality/survivability department
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Again it’s a cost issue, the F35 is quite capable in A2G combat. It’s not as easy as saying “well let’s just reproduce this ancient airframe”.
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The AF does seem to think the F35 can perform the same mission just as well, but I've read a few things suggesting the ground pounder branches arent so sure about that

Cant imagine risking such expensive birds in that role, even if they're able to do it at higher altitudes/speeds
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