Not to mention that the vast majority of CAS missions by NATO countries over the last 10+ years has been dropping guided munitions from 20000 feet. Or how 4th

Not to mention that the vast majority of CAS missions by NATO countries over the last 10+ years has been dropping guided munitions from 20000 feet. Or how 4th gen aircraft range is due to drop tanks, which further decrease their payload. Or how the US is gearing up for a near peer conflict, in which light attack aircraft are essentially useless due to how vulnerable they are. edit: The US should probably adopt some light attack aircraft, but for counter insurgency operations. And for something like that, midweight drones with hellfires/brimstones and modern prop planes will be significantly cheaper than even the A-10 or the FA50.