Oh, okay...So that's why the B-1 looks as cool as it does!
If you take a close look at the tactical aircraft world you will discover that the AF, in that operational arena, is based on a 15-year replacement cycle, the 1991 cycle didn’t happen because of the “peace dividend”.
The problem with the A-10 is nearly 40 years old and doesn’t look like a proper AF fighter. Image is all important.
How does the Army view the A-10? Those in the dust and dirt love it. But, then it represents the air power that keeps them alive.
BTW - the shortest serving AF Chief of Staff, Michael J. Dugan - 78 days, lost his job, in part, when he tried to convince Gen Norman Schwarzkopf that the AF was only going to offer F-16s in the CAS role instead of the A-10s that Schwarzkopf wanted.
Second BTW - this will be the third time that the AF has tired to use the A-10 as a funding source for a “modern” fighter program.