[Poohbah]

Agreed....we need a dedicated close air support aircraft and tank killer more than a new helicopter.

Actually, we don't need an aircraft for the tank-killing job anymore.

One F-35 with some "smart pigs" (JSOWs) will be able to kill more tanks in one pass than an A-10, and stay out of the AAA envelope to boot.

[Ottofire]

Auigh! You must be fighter-mafia brainwashed! *splash* There, here's a bit of dirty propwash to get that evil meme offa you.

Yeah, those fighter-smart missile combos look pretty on paper, but to give close airsupport, you just HAVE to be able to loiter. Airframe over battlefield kills the baddies, not one quick pass, dropping bombs smarter than the pilots.

Flying off at the mouth. I am NOT a ground pounder or a close air support expert, this is just my non-expert opinion. I am sure that one of you 'Army-of-One' gun toters can give a better viewpoint...

[Light Speed]

I would imagine there are several UCAV designs being R and D'd...soon they will have a unit to do recon ..interdict and dogfight.
The U.S. and the Brits considered an piloted aircraft with UCAV mirror wings.
Even this might be discarded for complete autonimous UCAV's.