<P> Usually close support is thought to be only carried out by fighter - bombers or dedicated ground - attack aircraft, such as the A-10 Thunderbolt II (Warthog) or Su - 25 (Frogfoot), but even large high - altitude bombers have successfully filled close support roles using precision - guided munitions . During Operation Enduring Freedom, the lack of fighter aircraft forced military planners to rely heavily on US bombers, particularly the B - 1B Lancer, to fill the CAS role . Bomber CAS, relying mainly on GPS guided weapons and laser - guided JDAMs has evolved into a devastating tactical employment methodology and has changed US doctrinal thinking regarding CAS in general . With significantly longer loiter times, range, and weapon capacity, bombers can be deployed to bases outside of the immediate battlefield area, with 12 - hour missions being commonplace since 2001 . After the initial collapse of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, airfields in Afghanistan became available for continuing operations against the Taliban and Al - Qaeda . This resulted in a great number of CAS operations being undertaken by aircraft from Belgium (F - 16 Fighting Falcon), Denmark (F - 16), France (Mirage 2000D), the Netherlands (F - 16), Norway (F - 16), the United Kingdom (Harrier GR7s, GR9s and Tornado GR4s) and the United States (A-10, F - 16, AV - 8B Harrier II, F - 15E Strike Eagle, F / A-18 Hornet, F / A-18E / F Super Hornet, UH - 1Y Venom). </P> <P> The use of information technology to direct and coordinate precision air support has increased the importance of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance in utilizing CAS . Laser, GPS, and battlefield data transfer are routinely used to coordinate with a wide variety of air platforms able to provide CAS . Recent doctrine reflects the increased use of electronic and optical technology to direct targeted fires for CAS . Air platforms communicating with ground forces can also provide additional aerial - to - ground visual search, ground - convoy escort, and enhancement of command and control (C2), assets which can be particularly important for low intensity conflict . </P>

What are three major features of close air support