Puff’s son? As in AC-47?
If so, sorry Charlie.
The A-10’s Statement of work said that the A-10 was envisioned to replace the A-1E “Sandy” in the Combat SAR mission and provide CAS to SOF Forces. From there they went ahead a developed an extremely capable aircraft that didn’t fir the AF’s image of fast, sleek, and flashy aircraft. But OMG, when it comes to CAS particularly in “danger close” situations!
The 2013 attempt to boneyard the A-10 represents the AF’s third attempt to kill the A-10. IMHO all three attempts are based on re-coloring the A-10s funding line to support an advanced fighter that can do very little to support the Grunt in combat.
The first attempt was in the later 1980’s when the AF wanted to shift funding to F-22. One Chief of Staff and DESERT STORM later the A-10’s death post ponded.
About a decade later the AF tried again. September 11, 2001 stopped that.
Now a little over a decade after their second attempt the AF is trying again. Now ISIS/IS, or what every they are calling themselves, seems to provide a third postponement.
This article clearly identified the AF wants to shift A-10 funding to the F-35 program, again.
When it comes to CAS the grunt wants an aircraft that can stay with him and get down into the mud with him. A support pass every 10 - 15 minutes from 15,000 really doesn’t hack the program.
Appreciate your reply