Originally Posted by
StoneTheWeak
The AH-1 is probably the most commonly used close air support aircraft the corps is using right now. F-18's and Harriers are meant more for hard targets and buildings. F-18 pilots have GOT to be bored as **** in Afghanistan, just flying around all day with nothing to drop bombs on. Cobras are effective against buildings in an urban environment to root out insurgents.
As far as I know, there are no plans to replace those air craft. They work, they're reliable, and here at Pensacola there are ALOT of guys getting orders for those aircraft. Me personally, fingers are crossed for Ospreys or C-130's, each for different reasons.