A-10C featured on Discovery Channel's Future Weapons

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt . Jim Fisher
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The Air Force has trumpeted the new A-10C as a state-of-the-art marriage of technology and a tried and true weapons system. After all, the fully-digital Thunderbolt II carries upgrades giving it precision engagement capability.

After the roll-out at D-M last fall, it caught the attention of the Discovery Channel's "Future Weapons" program. A crew from the show's production company Waddell Media visited D-M Oct. 22, spending the day putting together an in-depth segment on the A-10C for a program to be aired in early 2008.

The aircraft meets all the criteria for weapons systems featured on the program, according to host and Robert "Mack" Machowicz.

"'Future Weapons' is really about three things and the A-10C has all of them," Machowicz said. "The Block C modification increases accuracy, and because of it's capability to carry [smart weapons], it minimizes collateral damage."

These capabilities add up to the third key for the former Navy SEAL, who knows what it's like to have A-10s come to the rescue during hostile action on the ground.

"This aircraft is tremendously important for the guys on the ground," Machowicz said.
The crew filmed the A-10Cs from the 357th Fighter Squadron in action throughout the day, including takeoffs, landings, bomb loading and other maintenance operations. Another crew from the show simultaneously covered A-10C operations at the Barry Goldwater range.

357th Pilot Capt. Jason Jensen was among the members of the Desert Lightning Team that assisted in the production. The captain said he enjoyed the opportunity to showcase his aircraft and squadron.

"It's a pleasure being able to speak with these fine folks from the Discovery Channel about the capabilities of the A-10C," Captain Jensen said. "The aircraft brings precision engagement as well as the addition of a Situational Awareness Data Link, or SADL, greatly improving the pilot's awareness on the battlefield."

Captain Jensen was one of several pilots interviewed, including 355th Wing Commander Col. Kent Laughbaum, who characterized flying the C-model as "pure excitement."

The commander added a detailed breakdown of the A-10C's impact in the battle space and the satisfaction D-M people had in being part of the aircraft's rollout.

"Future Weapons," which is now the top-rated Discovery Channel program, according to production officials, has covered new weapon systems and technologies ranging from the F-22 Raptor to the MV-22 Osprey.

The crew's visit to D-M was very rewarding, according to Machowicz.

"This is a great aircraft - combat proven - and these upgrades have brought into the digital age," Machowicz said. "It's always great to come out and see how the people here and the crews are working together. It means the world to me."