The A-10 was basically built around its 30mm Cannon. This aircraft could not possibly be armed with the GRU. A-10’s durability is unmatched. I have seen nothing that comes close to replacing it. I find it astonishing the “plans” (for the lack of the technical term) were destroyed and we cannot duplicate this aircraft.
Same thing happened to the AD Skyraider. USAF wanted them for close air support; couldn’t get any, so they flew what the Navy gave them and literally flew the wings off them.
Amazing that in this computer age that nobody had the foresight to store the plans; especially when they were being so heavily used.
This isn’t an A-10 replacement. It’s to fill the role of the OV-10 for lighter air support missions that don’t need the heavy tank killer A-10. Also, smaller craft like this can be air-transported in kits and taken where they’re needed instead of having to be ferried over.