[Carry_Okie]

Great idea in theory but a multi-mission jet is proof that a jet can be a jack of all trades but a master at none.

Try to make it a master of all and the cost per plane goes through the roof. The A-10's biggest asset is that it's cheap to buy and cheap to keep (although I would think it vulnerable to MANPAD type weapons).

[Hulka]

True. . .but the Hogs low thermal engines make it hard for MANPADS to lock and hit, and when if it does, the Hog can keep flying.

[GeronL]

not heat seekers apparently, at least not the SA-7 cheapo