How about a couple of hundred A-10 Warthogs?
Using technological updates, this airframe design could be flying yet in 2050. Its value as a close air support for ground troops, its airworthiness, even after sustaining what would be catastrophic damage in most other designs, its capability to take out medium or even relatively heavy armor, its capability to operate from forward bases even with primitive servicing facilities, or to take off and land on rough airfields.
Coming in at treetop level at about 350 mph, and launch an air-to-surface missile at a target more than 4 miles away, circle back, and make another run. This has to shake up the morale of the enemy troops, especially if they see their entire support and supply convoy being destroyed around them.
A large part of warfare is to intimidate the enemy into surrender or flight. They run far enough, they won’t counterattack. They might even die tired.
Agree 100%. For the asymmetrical warfare against non-state terrorists without an Air Force, it is an ideal platform. We should be building hundreds of them. That titanium armor tub keeps our pilots alive. The BBRRATTT of the cannon destroys and demoralizes the enemy.