That is probably true, but not for any good reasons.

Every military disagrees with you. They are all going to PGMs and away from bigger guns. The weight cost of the GAU is just too large for the few times it is needed.

Not sure that the CEP of PGMs compares favorably with that of guns.

The CEP of LG PGMs is less than a yard (for missiles) and about 10 feet for LGBs. The same cannot be said for the GAU-8.

As far as multi-pass, I think you mean GPS PGMs there.

Nope, LG PGMs can be ripple fired to arrive on target every few seconds (the Apache does this with the Hellfire all teh time). MMW PGMs (like Brimstone) can also be ripple fired.

Again though you are completely ignoring the realities of using those types of weapons in a fog of war type environment,

A F-35 orbiting will likely have better SA than an A-10 and can take the time to properly engage the enemy without the enemy knowing it’s coming.

The facts do not support your conclusion.

History supports my conclusion as all military planners are planning around PGMs and less on guns.

Beyond that, an A-10 can carry more PGMs, for longer, more cheaply than an F-35, AND it has a useful gun.

The F-35 has better SA, range, combat load, penetration ability, ect than the A-10. Again, history is leaving the gun-based CAS fighter in it’s dust.

1. Compared to the Maverick, the Brimstone/Hellfire/JAGM are cheap (and can be carried in much higher numbers). Other PGMs are even cheaper (SDB, JDAM, & LG-Hydra, etc).

2. The gun requires that you fly low & slow directly towards the target. PGMs allow a much safer and more accurate engagement of a target.

3. The 30mm on the A-10 had DU rounds, not explosive, so the 25mm on the F-35 is already at a support advantage there.

4. The gun is a “last ditch” weapon on the F-35 for it has much more effective A2G & A2A weapons. The same cannot be said for the A-10.

Here is a shot from the front. Still no great drag issue like the F-18.

btw, the pod ain’t that big.

Yes. For example the new BRU-69 has a KPP of 1/2 the RCS of the BRU-55 (IIRC).

The cant of the 9x pylon serves two functions; to provide clearance for the mid-board pylon and to clear the flap.

Yes, the bays will open with the gun in place. Look at this view from below and you can see the space provided with the doors open.

Correct, 6 under the wings and one central (plus the 4 internal). Not alot in knows about the central pylon except that it is fully wired (not needed for just a gun) and is classified as A/S (Anti-Surface).

I did see an flight sim a few years back that had an AIM on the center-line. I’ll have to dig it up.

btw, that flight with the external pylons also has AMRAAMs and JDAMs internally.

The AIM-120D is going into dedicated OT in FY2012 and scheduled for multi-service IOC in FY2014. Over 1100 AIM-20Ds have been and are being produced (lots 20-25).