This is how I&#x27;ve understood the aircraft: &quot;aircraft designed solely for close air support, including attacking tanks, armored vehicles, and other ground targets.&quot;<p>Essentially, a prime mission objective is to loiter over an area and provide air support. Something most fast-moving aircraft are not exactly made to do. If a request comes in to target a tank; the plane kills the tank. If a request comes in to target a truck; the plane shreds the truck, and whatever happens to be inside, to shreds. If a request comes in to strafe a defensive position; then the plane puts big holes in those defenses. As for personnel, the plane may not kill them but it sure as heck puts a good scare into them. Stories indicate friendly soldiers like seeing, and hearing, the plane in the area during a firefight. It has more uses than the bullets it fires.<p>Also, keep in mind that the A-10 can carry other weapons than just the cannon it&#x27;s built around.<p>Now, is it expensive in today&#x27;s world for that purpose? Probably so.<p>Apaches are nice too. I&#x27;m sure one day someone will consider them an expensive disaster as well.