There’s a bigger issue with the A-10 - it can’t really operate in an area where the US doesn’t have air supremacy because supersonic jets will likely blow it out of the sky. In areas where the US has air supremacy, it does very well.
Yeah, but you can’t tell the A-10 fans out there that their favorite plane is meat on the table for even a 30 year old MiG. That was always the case, BTW. Even when the A-10 was first fielded in Europe against the Warsaw Pact forces, they figured that the entire A-10 force would be operationally ineffective in a matter of 3 or 4 days.
Just our reduced (thanks, traitor Obama) F-22 fleet gives us air superiority wherever we need it. Not sure if the F-35’s add much. But also add our F-18 Super Hornets, F-15 Eagles, and F-16 Falcons.
Heck, F-15 Eagles which first flew in 1972 have NEVER suffered a combat loss. NEVER. Just those will shred most “fourth generation fighters.” Then again add the F-22s and Super Hornets.
We ALWAYS have air superiority when we need it. To be blunt, no other Air Force or Naval Aviation Force comes close. It’s frankly laughable.