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Originally Posted by Sadistic-Savior";p="
I admit I am not an expert on missile technology...but dont we already have ultra-accurate self-guided missiles that can do the same thing?
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If you've got somebody on the ground painting the target with a laser, then there are various bombs, missiles and even artillery rounds that can be used. But otherwise, not really. If the forces are closely engaged, it's very difficult for a missile to tell friend from foe at supersonic speeds. That's why the video images you see come from missile strikes against fixed installations or enemy units moving in the open behind the lines.
An A-10 flies low enough and slow enough that it can use the ground as cover and discriminate targets very well. *Very* useful in a close-quarters fight.
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Making it extremely vulnerable to precision missiles form the other side. Low airspeed + no stealth = flying target.
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Yes and no. It's a very tough aircraft. And it can loiter out of sight until it makes a gun run. Its design reduces its vulnerability to heat-seaking missiles, and radar-guided missiles have a hard time locking on to a low-flying aircraft. Not only can such missiles be confused by ground clutter, but it takes time -- by which point the A-10 has probably disappeared over the horizon, circling around for another run.
And the A-10 carries Maverick missiles, which are self-guided standoff munitions.
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Laser-guided munitions are accurate enough IMO. They are accurate to what...3 meters? That isnt enough?
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Not if the forces are closely engaged. The problem at that point isn't so much accuracy as target discrimination.