Since its separation from the Army in the 1940s, the Air Force brass have despised the role of close air support for the Army. (The most important contribution air power has ever made to winning a war.) In all these 60+ years, only the A-10 was designed for this role and the AF brass have always hated it. They now plan to replace the very capable, low maintence, $20 million A-10 with the $230 million disaster that is the F-35.
The Army has tried to make up for this by buying $40 million, not very effective, dangerous to their crew, attack helicopters.
It is proposed that the law be changed and that the Army be allowed to buy and operate fixed wing combat aircraft, just as the Marines are, for the support of their own infantry.
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