[madeuptempacct]

Purely speculating, but with some thought. The F-22 is innately stealthier, has better aerodynamics, and a better thrust-to-weight ratio.

The A-10 has proven itself to be indispensable for CAS. Helicopters can't get there in time and are at more risk when getting in close. Not to mention that the Apache (and even the Russian MI-28) are much lighter armored, which is a factor when being shot at with heavy machine guns. No flares / chaff for that.

[engi_nerd]

> The F-22 is innately stealthier

You cannot know this unless you are read in to both programs, so this is further speculation. And if you were read into both programs (or either one) you wouldn't say things like this.

[madeuptempacct]

"To achieve lower costs the JSF accepts notable aft sector stealth limitations, especially when tackling deep or layered air defences with fighter threats - an acceptable tradeoff for shallow littoral and FEBA area battlefield strikes against predominantly short range mobile air defence systems. The aim in the JSF is to use newer materials technology than the F-22A does to reduce stealth costs, although we are likely to see this technology migrate across to the F-22A in later blocks."

http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-JSF-Analysis.html

[engi_nerd]

They don't know, either. They are speculating.

You can't truly know unless you're on the inside, and then, you can't talk.

[madeuptempacct]

There is a reason the F-22 isn't being sold to allies and the F-35 is.

[engi_nerd]

There are actually quite a few reasons.