New conflicts around the world have once more created the need for an effective light attack, close air support aircraft that can in a very short notice provide effective support through pinpoint attacks with overwhelming firepower without putting friendly troops in danger. The recent resurgence of the need for this type of airplane also created the need for a lower cost yet effective option to today’s high performance legacy aircraft such as the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II and the Lockheed Martin F-16 Viper; these aircraft are effective today in their intended roles, however they are significantly more costly to operate compared with lower cost turboprops or even turbofan aircraft that may be able to perform the light attack/close air support mission. This paper examines the key factors that need to be taken into account to design a more effective aircraft fulfilling this mission while keeping costs as low as possible with today’s technology.