Close air support from the United States
and NATO Allies could be vital to help
defend Ukraine if Russia chooses to
invade. Ukraine is already armed with
american-produced javelin anti-tank
missiles to engage russian armored
vehicles.
A mix of high altitude bombers
reconnaissance aircraft, drones and
manned fighters would all be useful for
providing air support in ukraine. While the legendary A-10 warthog is
known as a standout close air support
asset, newer fighters such as the F-35A Lightning II, F-22 raptor and other nato
aircraft could also contribute.
It's important to recognize that close
air support program is a mission but not
an aircraft, retired Lieutenant General David Diptula dean of the mitchell
institute for aerospace studies told the
national interest in an interview.
Said General David Deptula thinking it
can only be done with an A-10 as
anachronistic and dangerous, our
capability to conduct close air support
has exploded by the ability to deliver
precision guided effects. The F-35 stealth fighter is capable of
providing close air support to ground
using its speed, precision guided air to
ground weapons and low altitude
maneuverability.
An F-35 could also maneuver close enough
to the ground to fire its 25 millimeters
cannon on tanks, armored vehicles or
forces on the move, fixed-wing aircraft have already been
used in close air support missions.
The F-22 was used in combat missions in
syria. The F-35 was also initially
developed to fill a close air support
role. As detula said aircraft such as these
are armed with precision guided weapons
and long-range sensors to destroy enemy
forces from standoff distances.
General Jeffrey L Harrigan commander U.S Air Forces in europe said, from a close air support perspective
largely as i look at our force we
continue to find opportunities to go
train, largely with our partners across
europe.
Jeffrey L Harrigan added, honestly i feel
very comfortable that as we talk about
how we would operate with their joint
terminal air controllers. their entities
on the ground, from the baltics down into
the med and even into romania. And we have had continued interaction
with them that has allowed us to keep
our close air support capabilities at
the right level and continue to improve
our readiness, he said.
Russian air defense capabilities would
also matter in this equation. If the united states and nato establish
air superiority with fifth generation
aircraft, the russians might seek to
deploy mobile, ground-fired anti-aircraft
weapons.
Short-range russian air defense weapons
roughly comparable to the american
short-range air defense system. Most likely be effective against drones
and helicopters but could struggle
against faster aircraft flying at higher
altitudes.
A sufficient presence of fifth
generation aircraft from the United States, NATO or other european countries
could even deter russian decision-makers
from a possible ground attack
