A10 Thunderbolt 2 or AH-64D Apache Longbow

last SG · 2005-09-11T10:37:33+00:00

Well, I guess its really 2 different roles of 2 highly capable tank busters. The A-10 is really well suited for its role of Close Air Support, staying on St...

SpecOps87 SG

Just makin a comparison between the A10 Thunderbolt Warthog aircraft and AH-64D Apache attack chopper, since both are reowned for being highly efficient in the anti-tank role.

Basically the 7 barrel GAU-8/A 30mm Gatling gun of the A10 Thunderbolt 2 is able to fire armour piercing incendiary ammunition at the rate of 3900 rounds per minute and is able to carry a wide-range of munitions like the Maverick ATGM,laser-guided munitions, sidewinder air-to-air misslie and various other weapons. Its virtue is that it is able to loiter above the battlefield and take out any enemy tanks or bunkers with great precision.

The AH64D Apache Longbow on the other-hand features the super long-range Longbow radar system which enables it to share data of the targets via a secure data-link with other Apaches in the strike group. Armaments include 30MM M230 chain gun and Hydra 70 (2.75 inch) rockets and the tank-busting Hellfire ATGM.

So which would you vote as a capable anti-tank platform and your personal opinion as both the A10 Thunderbolt II and the AH-64D Apache since both are highly successful anti-tank platforms.

bismarck SG

Money’s on the A10

casshern SG

in singapore practically would be the longbows. the warthogs are enormous!

but still i would love to see the a10s firing away

Obersturmfuhrer SG

A10’s probably got psychological effects on enemy armour.

ditzy SG

Longbows, coz they don't need a runway to land. Laughing

storm_freaky13 SG

A-10s would be great tank busters but i think they are more costly to upkeep.

AH-64s are tried and tested tank killers. they can effectively knock out more tanks in one run.

I'll say the AH-64D

Gedanken SG

Yuh huh - nothing like a GAU-8 spitting fire to maximise the pucker factor! Mr. Green

In a strictly anti-tank role, I'd bet on the A-10, although it's a tough call. While the Apache's got 16 Hellfires, each warhead carries 1/20 the charge of the Maverick, 10 of which can be fitted on the A-10. The Apache's got longer range, but in either case, the typical operation method for both aircraft would be to be guided in by a spotter anyway, so that's not really an issue.

Ultimately, I think it comes down to the lower likelihood of an A-10 being taken out with an RPG, compared to the Apache.

maggot SG

AH-64D Apache Longbow's Auto Lock and fire system rocks Cool

The system automatically lock onto targets available.

The pilot only needs to click the button to fire the missile to the target.

tankee1981 SG

The A-10 Thunderbolt is a good aircraft but it is not as suitable to our needs as compared to the AH-64D Apaches. Firstly, it fires DU ammunition and i doubt US is willing to let us have this sort of capability at the moment. The DU ammunition is hazardous to health and i don't think there is any local or foreign governemnt which will allow live-firing on their land with this. Secondly, ground support aircraft is more suited to fly and fight in open spaces eg plains and deserts. In the heavily forested and urbanised terrain, helicopters are more suitable as they can hover behind a knoll and pop up to fire its Hellfire missiles at enemy armour before disappearing again. The helicopters can also maneuvor in tight spaces easily and it doesn't need to fly around to attack the tanks again should it fail on the first pass. Very Happy

Shotgun SG

My money would be on the apaches.

The terrain here favors rotary winged ambushes. =D

SpecOps87 SG

No doubt the AH-64D has its place in our urban combat setting. But what about the ability of it to carry large combat loads? if not mistaken the A10 has a larger more mission capable load as well as being more fuel efficient as its combat radius is bigger right?

Also, there is a distinct difference in its combat survivability, AH-64D can be brought down by a lucky shot from a RPG, while there is no 100% way of takin out an A10 with an RPG.

But the urban fighting part...that got me thinking realistically. But like I said, the A10 can loiter above the battlefield and only swoop down when the troops on the ground radio for help right?

Lance_han SG

hm... Confused it's gonna be hard for a A10 to start it's attack run into a enemy troop formation concealed in our urban jungle.... Laughing here's when the mobility of the longbows come in handy

LazerLordz SG

I believe the GAU-8 can be fitted on other aircraft?

duotiga83 SG

both roles for A-10 amd AH-64 complement each other…..

|-|05| SG

Ya. There was a smaller version that they fitted to both wing tips of the P-51 mustang.

Shotgun SG

True, but apache's aren't meant to get so close with the enemy in enclosed terrain. Thats the infantry's job! Laughing

SpecOps87 SG

But what about the on-scene loitering period?All aircrafts can loiter above an area longer then a chopper right?

gary1910 SG

AH operate more like call-in CAS rather CAP.

Apaches has a range of 400km on on internal fuel, 1,900 kilometres on internal and external fuel, but if on internal fuel only , endurance is only abt 3 hours 9 minutes .

So I dun think it is advisable for loitering.

http://www.army-technology.com/projects/apache/specs.html

SpecOps87 SG

Also...the armament loadout for the A10 is much more heavier then the AH64 right? TO be really honest, the only thing I like about the AH64D is its LongBow radar and its ability to hover over the battlefield and fire away those hellfires onto target.

But the thing here is that...though it is able to hover,it is also during this period it is vulnerable when the enemy can simply put a Stinger or RPG right up its tail. Btw, can anyone share this intel if its true that all helicopters can only fire accurately if they are hovering?Thanks!

BeEtHoVeN SG

heard of strating run ?