the key to the A-10 isn't the ability to fly fast.
It isn't that it can mount loads of missiles.
The A-10 was DESIGNED to suit that epic gun.
I know we aren't facing tank columns, but we don't need to be using the depleted uranium rounds, thats all, and a magazine of ammo for that monster is still significantly cheaper than firing a single Maverick.
The fact they also have developed minigun pods for Anti-infantry purposes to suit more normal combat also helps
The fact you can blow the engine off with a guided missile and the plane still comes home?
Priceless.
Why go for a fast modern fighter?
We already have all the aircraft we need built into the original frame, just send an order to the guys who built it and ask for a quote.
It does it's job perfectly as is: why upgrade the damn thing? It's not like the army replaces it's tanks every 20 years, it just refurbishes them.
I must admit however that planes aren't tanks, and do have a real operational lifetime till you have to replace the damn thing, but why start from scratch when what we have WORKS BETTER THAN ANYTHING ELSE WE HAVE EVER SEEN? Politicians that's why.
Although I must admit, looking at the F-18 Super-hornet, I'm curious how they'd upgrade the A-10... Maybe a bigger gun? *drools*
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Back on topic for a moment: Alex is a tactical mastermind, with a tendency to enjoy practical jokes.
What he just did was probably a simple analysis: the only Loroi he's ever met with the ability to throw him around is Fireblade.
If she doesn't speak or show reaction to his speaking it could be a sign that Loroi with telekinesis are incapable of speech, or choose to be totally ignorant of using it.
Such intelligence could work wonders for diplomats, you could hold a conversation in front of her without any issues and such forth.
By confirming the one he knows has no such 'flaw' then he can definitely say for certain that others also won't have the same disability.
Hence rendering her lack of speech somewhat of a personal trait, clever boy
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Edit: sniped by Absalom
If I understand the politics correctly the origin of the air force demanding army aircraft as it's own right is due to one simple fact:
Being able to keep tabs on all aircraft in the field of operations.
It's hard enough scheduling all the landing times, refuelling requirements and generally keeping aircraft from flying into each other as it is, giving the army it's own aircraft to work with independently? It's just asking for trouble, and results in needless duplication of roles.
Helicopters aren't such an issue due to low travel speed and low operating heights, but the air war is something completely different.
Unfortunately this does result in the Air Force developing an 'idea' for how their job should be done... a job the A-10 doesn't fit into the generalised profile.
The A-10 is close air support first and foremost, the AF prefers aircraft that can do more jobs, besides, is it really that hard to drop bombs on a target?
(Personal opinion: Well yeah, that's why they realised they needed an A-10 designed from scratch for that very purpose, but hey, apparently they don't think that counts)