In response to ISIS (ISIL, or whatever): AVG II?

[Tomahawk]

I like A-37's. Any idea how many airworthy examples are left?

[Tim L]

SU-25? should be a few of those around. Modern enough to have plenty of spare parts available and capable of using current weapons.

[RacingMustang]

Cessna's ScorpionJet seems like it's made just for situations like y'all are talking about.

http://www.scorpionjet.com/

[Tomahawk]

Very cool a/c. Wait... What? No guns? This is Vietnam, all over again... Bullets are a proven, reliable technology that are CHEAP and plentiful, which is why defense contractors HATE them. We don't need a Hellfire to take out a Toyo PU. Ma Deuce can handle it.

[L-4Pilot]

What we need are a dozen small, fast, hi-tech "Jeep Carriers" loaded with squadrons of cheap subsonic drones built with off the shelf fuel efficient GA engines and Garmin avionics. Design the Drone for max ordnance payload and set it up with synthetic vision, terrain avoidance and satellite navigation and target acquisition.

Build the drones cheap and build lots of them, think the Sherman tank strategy during WW II.

Include surveillance drones with extended on station loiter times and the latest high resolution camera systems, wireless signal tracking and satellite imaging.

Ordnance packages should reflect current threats and be low cost high production.

[L-4Pilot]

Very cool a/c. Wait... What? No guns? This is Vietnam, all over again... Bullets are a proven, reliable technology that are CHEAP and plentiful, which is why defense contractors HATE them. We don't need a Hellfire to take out a Toyo PU. Ma Deuce can handle it.

AMEN, well said.

[shrike]

Very cool a/c. Wait... What? No guns? This is Vietnam, all over again... Bullets are a proven, reliable technology that are CHEAP and plentiful, which is why defense contractors HATE them. We don't need a Hellfire to take out a Toyo PU. Ma Deuce can handle it.

I think there is a conformal belly gun package envisioned for the Scorpion. The internal bay would be used for ammunition storage and feed, with various cannon options available at the request of the customer. Actually opens up choices depending on who buys - 23mm Mauser, 30mm Aden, GSh-23 twin mount etc.

[Enemy Ace]

Count me in.

[davidwomacks]

Some IL-2s, I'm sure there are still some Jiggs hidden in some soviet era warehouse. Since most of the anti air missiles are heat seekers the cool running piston engine of the Il2 would come in handy. Also I bet we could find some old il2 pilots to teach us a thing or two.

[tom d. friedman]

the avg were paid mercenaries. there is no harm in having mercenaries. no country could get into boots on the ground as a national issue.

[Tomahawk]

Yes. That's the point.