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It can carry a butt-load of ordnance, and loiter around the target area for hours.
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And is heavily armored and has triple redundant systems so the pilot comes back alive.
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And hasn't been produced new since 1984.
And was base priced at $18m in 1984 dollars.
What are you proposing? That we sell OUR a-10s to foreign operators?
For FMS, the A-29 makes the best option. $9m to $14m delivered.
Less complex systems, making it easier to put pilots in and easier to support at forward operating areas.
Single PT6 engine, which is abundant and easily supported by a global network.
Airframe currently in production and relatively easy to get parts for.
Cruise speed within 20 kts of the A-10, and has a larger combat radius than the A-10.
Etc.
But it lacks the big-ass gun of an A-10.
It only has (2) M3P .50 cal machine guns in each wing.
