I think the Defense Department thinks the CAS role isn’t an effective allocation of resources. I guess the D-Day example is a crude one especially because they didn’t use precision weapons and had to drop judiciously. I also suppose they think that there are enough alternative precision delivery systems, including guided surface to surface missiles, standoff weapons and even guided artillery shells that they can make up the difference without the A-10. Again, even if a severely damaged airplane makes it home, it’s still a lost airplane.