Originally Posted by
LowObservable
MSOCS is right, however, to say that it's not a driving requirement and that JSF is designed to do things that the A-10 can't (we all knew that). However, that underscores another point: the USAF could afford to run an A-10 force alongside F-16s and F-15s. The F-35 business case involves eliminating every other tactical aircraft except the F-22.
Your last two sentences are the core problem: eggs and baskets. Contra Turbine D's assertion, no, there isn't an unlimited credit card account, part of why A-10 (and all of the manpower slots attending) is going the way of the Kiowa Warrior for the Army. It's where the 600-ship Navy John Lehman dreamed of went as well: an unfundable aim.