Super T was designed from the start as a combat aircraft. The AT-6 are a few trainers being adapted for the combat role. One of many killers is that the Super T always leaves the deck with guns. There is one in each wing. Over 4 hours of loiter 100 miles from the field. Cost per flying hour is around $500. Heck, even if the Air National Guard had this, it would be good for forest fire FAC and search and rescue help.
Consider all the work this aircraft could have done had the USAF and USMC flew this early in the Afghan conflict.
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Interesting vid indeed... even if a few years too late.
Either way, it truly is crazy that die hard proponents of the F-35, for example around the 2007-2008 time frame, were still clamoring on the premise to push ahead with the Program as an aircraft which would be needed in both Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns!
A very tragic, yet sadly typical mindset.
Whereas in truth, if USMC had a mix of say, 50-60 F-18E/F and perhaps another 60-80 or so A-29s -- a couple detachments of which could be trained/modified for special LHD/LHA operational contingencies -- they could cost-effectively and rapidly replace their expensive to operate and geriatric Hornet fleet and Harriers.
The Procurement budgets saved (vs the current Plan) could be applied to Life cycle operations, maintenance and all the next-gen light-A2G PG munitions the USMC could ever need.
That would be some serious capability and prudent strategy.
Thunderjets on the scrap heap? Are you making a technical judgement of equivalence to the AT-6? The ghost of Alexander Kartveli will be coming to haunt you now.
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