Are Multi role aircraft suitable for CAS operation ?

[500]

another question from knowledgeable members here.

What are the advantages/disadvantages of using A-10 versus say an Apache in CAS ?

Who do u think is more suitable for CAS operations under say heave SAM fire ?

And in general which is more useful the helicopter or the slow moving armored giant.

A-10 pros:

1) much more speed
2) much more range
3) much more weapon load

Apache pros:

1) does not need a huge runway
2) extreme maneuverability, zero speed: can fly lower, can observe using top radar witout exposing itself, can jump out of hill, fire a missile and then dive back.

A helicopter can loiter in the war zone for considerable amount of time, and can provide heave fire support from above. But they are very vulnerable to shoulder fired SAMs.

In fact A-10 is more vulnerable. Aircrafts like A-10, Su-25, OV-10 today can be used only against very weak enemies. Against modern army they will be slaughtered.

 

[Zabaniyah]

It is meant to cause havoc on the ground, create terror in the hearts of enemies and win, which it has done very well.

Last time I remember, Iraqi Frogfoots fled to Iran

@Topic:
Generally, we have to maintain complete air superiority over the enemy before sending in CAS aircraft such as Apache or A-10 against the enemy. This is how the Americans did it against Iraqis. They first sent F-117s to take out all the ground based installations.

And given that the Iraqis were flying downgraded Soviet-era weapons, they were simply no match against USAF aircraft backed by AWACS. And that was 20 years ago.

And after that, Apaches wreaked sheer havoc on the Iraqi tank divisions. A-10s did play a similar role. But at much higher speeds. And neither of them aren't that easy to bring down. Here is a pic of a damaged A-10, it made it back all the way to base.

CAS aircraft should be decently armored. But before sending them in, one has to maintain most of the air superiority over the enemy first. Rule the sky. Otherwise, they'd be slaughtered.

Both Apache (and similar) and A-10 (and similar) have their pros and cons as stated by 500.