[I suspect that they would rather just go with drones, than try and maintain the aged A-10 fleet.]
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It’s all going in that direction. Robotics will take over before we know it.
The Air Force has wanted to retire the A-10 since they got them. They should give them to the Army and Marine Corps where they belong. Grunts love the aircraft.
The Air Force will resist drones until the bitter end.
Most of the Air Force brass view themselves as Top Gun types and that is often far more important than the mission.
That is my .02. It’s been a problem for a long time and it will continue to be a problem.