Which aircraft are commonly used in the FAC(A) role?

• A. A-10, F-16, F/A-18, AH-1W/Z
• B. F-15, F-22
• C. AV-8B, UH-60
• D. F-35, F-15C

Answer: (A)

In the FAC(A) role, the aircraft chosen are those best suited to act as airborne controllers who can reliably identify targets, communicate with ground forces and other shooters, and coordinate air strikes while staying within range of the action. The A-10, F-16, and F/A-18 are all well-proven in close air support and come equipped with robust radios, data links, and sensor suites that let them designate targets and direct fires from the cockpit or through data-sharing with JTACs and ground troops. The AH-1W and AH-1Z Cobras are attack helicopters that excel at low-altitude, maneuverable operations near friendly forces, providing precise target designation and fire control while maintaining tight coordination with ground units and other aircraft.

Other options don’t fit the typical FAC(A) profile as well. Aircraft focused primarily on air superiority (like certain F-15 or F-22 variants) are optimized for achieving air dominance rather than directly controlling ground-targeted fires. A transport helicopter (like the UH-60) lacks the typical sensor and target-designation capabilities used to control air strikes, and while aircraft such as the Harrier can perform CAS, they’re not the standard airborne FAC platforms in the same way as the listed fixed-wing multirole fighters and Cobra attack helicopters. The F-35 is capable in many roles but is not traditionally associated with the classic airborne FAC mission in the same way, especially in the exam context.