The debate isn't whether we can build things way more advanced than everyone else, the debate is, should we. Not everything we do needs to be gold plated. Airlift is a good example where avoiding gold plating is probably a reasonable expectation to have.

If folks are looking at modern options, I continue to see the Scorpion as a viable alternative. Although nothing will fix a bungled acquisition program so Textron may just want to steer clear of this.

Ducted fan concepts are nothing new....

Even though it’s not in the same realm as the A-10...if there is a need for new hardware, the only reasonably affordable alternative I can readily see available to do the CAS mission well is the Textron Scorpion. It needs a decent gun, but its other attributes bode well for a good cheap and effective CAS aircraft. I’m…