We need an A-11 already. Make it stealthy and give it a giant railgun or something. Give the world what it wants: even bigger flying gun.
Lol ok here you go:
Bohemia Interactive basically imagined up what you’re asking for about a decade ago, and at least in my circles, everyone thought this was the stupidest looking thing ever.
Here’s another from Messer 82
idk I think the A-10 is more of a trad-CAS influencer than a genuine warplane suited for near-peer conflicts in contested airspace at this point, it is weird and I am pretty sure it isn’t a good idea but the algorithm likes the brand so shrugs I think the successor to the A-10 needs to lean into the whole influencer lifestyle thing from the get go.
Make it look cool and design an advanced network of escort drones that constantly orbit the aircraft ready to launch into action at the first sign of content and beginning taking selfies of the aircraft.
Maximum impact will be achieved from the pilot having access to a social media avionics suit complete with a state-of-the-art “A-10 Trad-CAS” reply-by-wire guy Automated Post Authoring System customized from software developed by the CIA to help topple vulnerable democratic governments in central and south america.
Plenty of guys over there agree that the Hog is a modern Stuka. They’re both impressive, have intimidating reputations, make a scary sound, and too vulnerable to operate without air supremacy.
And the Air Force agrees. In Desert Storm, the A10s had to hunt SCUDS in the desert because they were getting murdered by Iraqi anti-air.