Hog Propulsion—Problem for Army and ANG

An inadequate engine for its duties is the most critical shortcoming for the A-10C right now, Maryland Air National Guard Lt. Col. Kevin Campbell told reporters Tuesday afternoon at AFA’s Air & Space Conference in Washington. Current combat operations require the aircraft to fly at high-elevation and high-temperature locations, making it necessary for maintenance crews to remove either fuel or ammunition. “Either one of those is equally important to the United States Army,” he said. “We can’t loiter as long or we don’t have enough bullets to cover ’em, and that’s a huge issue.” Air Combat Command officials say they are still pursuing Hog engines, but Campbell declared that the A-10C engines are not even close to getting the necessary funding.