Long Awaited A-10 vs. F-35 Fly-Off May Begin Next Year

I'm going to go with the A-10. What it does best, there is absolutely nothing on the planet that does it better.

It's all about how you structure the test. I'm sure the test designers will get some "rudder commands" from Air Force senior leadership. If the test is set up for a high threat environment, such as facing Russia or China, then the A-10 may not fare well. If the test is set up for a medium to low threat environment, such as a counterinsurgency war, than the A-10 will do very well. The US Air Force needs to win in both environments. A fair and comprehensive test involving several combat environments and scenarios is necessary. Also, I believe the Army and Marine Corps should get a vote in the success of the CAS missions, not just Air Force people.

I personally think that the Air Forces A-10 Warthog should stay. Why? Because it has already been tested in Combat Air Operations and Close Combat Support for our ground warriors. As for the Muti-Billion Dollar package the F-35, it just begun with Carrier Ops. In my opinion they should ask the pilots who drive them. Then compare. It's like asking a Marine Cobra Pilot to fly an Osprey. What about it Pilots?