A new strategy document released by US Air Combat Command points to the development of a future close-air-support platform as the service pushes to retire the long-serving Fairchild Republic A-10 – its primary close-in attack airplane used to protect ground troops.ACC Commander Gen Hawk Carlisle, who approved the strategic plan, said in March the air force is exploring what will follow the A-10, potentially as a more affordable compliment to the F-35 for a high-low force mix. "We're thinking about what an A-X would look like," he says.
Gen Mark Welsh, chief of staff of the air force, then said in April the air force would pursue a new CAS platform in the "relatively near- and mid-term" if funding would allow it [OS: emphasis added].
Bait and switch? Here's the bait, the promise to develop a new CAS airfram (switch is "too pricey, go with the F35" after the A10s hit the boneyard or get sold off)