Proposal: Dedicated CAS Jet Class for Large-Scale Combined-Arms Maps & Modes

CONCEPT

I’d like to propose a new fixed-wing vehicle class based on real life match-ups: the Close Air Support (CAS) Jet.

NATO: A-10C Thunderstrike
PAX Armata: Su-25

The CAS Jet would be designed specifically for close air support, trading speed and agility for heavier armor, survivability, and sustained low-altitude firepower.

The goal isn't to make the existing Attack Jet stronger. Instead, the CAS Jet would fill a fundamentally different role on larger combined-arms maps, where ground forces can sometimes consist of large numbers of heavily armored vehicles.

I got the idea after playing Escalation on Mirak Valley and encountering around five enemy tanks at once. The Attack Jet can deal with ground targets, but spending most of an aircraft's lifespan trying to eliminate a single tank doesn't feel like the ideal role for it. That made me think there could be room for a dedicated CAS aircraft.

Attack Jet: Get in → deliver ordnance → get out.
CAS Jet: Get low → stay in the battlespace → repeatedly support ground forces → survive long enough to return.

The CAS Jet should still be vulnerable and should require good positioning and teamwork. It would simply be designed to remain over the frontline longer than a conventional Attack Jet.

FLIGHT & DAMAGE MODEL

- 1.5× maximum health compared to standard fixed-wing aircraft.
- Structural redundancy: higher thresholds for wing and engine damage. Critical engine damage reduces maximum thrust by 40% rather than immediately causing a stall. Wing damage reduces roll rate by 15% rather than immediately causing catastrophic flight-control failure.
- 25% lower maximum speed and overall roll rate compared to the F-61V/F-39E Attack Jet.
- The aircraft performs best at low and medium altitude. Flying near maximum altitude would result in increased drift and yaw sluggishness.

The idea is that the CAS Jet is difficult to immediately **bleep**, but its lower speed and agility make it much less capable of simply escaping danger.

LOADOUT

The CAS Jet would have three customizable weapon slots, with two options for each.

SLOT 1 — 30mm CANNON

AP Belt

Designed primarily for engaging armored vehicles, particularly vulnerable areas such as MBT and mobile AA top armor. Reduced effectiveness against infantry and reduced splash damage.

Maximum continuous firing time: 2.2 seconds, followed by a 4.5-second jam/cooldown.

HEI Belt

Designed primarily for infantry, rooftops and lightly protected targets. Reduced effectiveness against heavy armor.

Maximum continuous firing time: 3.5 seconds, followed by a 3-second cooldown.

SLOT 2 — WING PYLONS

70mm FFAR Unguided Rockets

Larger volleys with lower individual projectile damage. Effective against infantry and light vehicles, with noticeable ballistic drop.

14 rockets per replenishment.

Optical Missile — AGM-2000H/K / KHM-29T

Two missiles capable of mid-flight optical guidance. Primarily intended for armored targets, but potentially usable against structures, infantry or aircraft with enough skill.

The missile would use a dedicated camera for guidance rather than functioning like a standard lock-on missile.

Maximum: 2 missiles.

SLOT 3 — VENTRAL POD

Heavy Precision Bomb — GBU-42B TITAN / ABM-50M SLEDGE

An unguided ballistic bomb launched using the standard CCIP bomb reticle.

If a friendly unit uses a laser designator, the bomb deploys steering wings and guides itself toward the designated target. This would allow coordinated CAS strikes against buildings and ground assets while still requiring another player to provide the designation.

Maximum: 1 bomb.

Directional Jammer

Prevents handheld/vehicle locks, and is based on the F/A-81F Super Spectre jammer.

WHY A CAS JET?

Battlefield already has several different aircraft roles, and I think a dedicated CAS aircraft could complement rather than replace them:

Fighter Jet: Air superiority
Attack Jet: Rapid hit-and-run ground strike / semi-multirole
CAS Jet: Persistent low-altitude close air support

Naval jets are not listed because those are obviously locked to naval maps, such as Wake Island.

The CAS Jet would therefore not simply be a "thiccer Attack Jet." Its lower speed, reduced agility, limited precision ordnance and emphasis on staying close to the frontline would give it a different gameplay identity.

MAP RESTRICTIONS

I don't think CAS Jets should necessarily be available on every map.

They would make the most sense on larger combined-arms maps and modes with enough ground vehicles, airspace and counterplay to support them. Smaller infantry-focused maps could simply exclude them.

This would also allow different maps to maintain their own vehicle ecosystems rather than forcing every aircraft into every map.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The main purpose of this suggestion is to create another distinct combined-arms role rather than simply adding another powerful aircraft, while also using armaments already present in the game.

With larger-scale battles, heavier ground-vehicle concentrations and increasingly complex vehicle ecosystems, I think there is room for an aircraft specifically designed around persistent, low-altitude CAS.

I'd be interested to hear what people think about the role itself, the loadout options and whether a dedicated CAS aircraft would fit Battlefield's current or future combined-arms design.