The plane was exclusively designed for close air support missions. Those five structural advantages are the key to understanding why the A-10 became one of the most distinctive close air support aircraft ever built. That is not just a dramatic design flourish, but rather a reflection of the aircraft's entire close air support philosophy. In close air support situations, the ability to continue flying after taking damage is often more important than speed or maneuverability. The aircraft was designed to withstand punishment in the exact environment where close air support is ultimately the most demanding.