The A-10 and F-35 competed in close air support tests years ago. The report just surfaced.

Had the F-35 come out as the winner, there can be little doubt that a clear, declarative statement to that fact would have prominently appeared in the opening paragraph of the report.” Lt Col Charlie Brown Gee Whiz, so that is the reasoning for burying that report!

For close in air support, I prefer the A-10 with far more & better air to ground firepower and tank busting 30MM Gatling! 1350 rounds is far better than the F-35's 180 +/- for the ground air support it was created for... That said, I am sure the F-35 has its own areas of superiority for other support missions... Just my view...