Is there really any problem with having something that is a one trick pony, but, actually does that particular trick bloody well. Don't forget, the A10 guys do the CSAR OSC as part of their bread and butter, and their PODs with downlink are as good as any for ISTAR for the guys on the ground. Having been in the overhead when they "have a chat with Terry" that gun scares the sh!t out of me, Lord knows what it's like at the other end! And as has been already pointed out, this aircraft is designed to take a kicking. And yes I am a fan.....big time.
RTL