I cannot understand why there are not 2 more AIM-9Ls on the A-10(E). However, I can clearly see that there is a place for them from both sides
That’s an old balancing descision as a distinction to the Late variant: Early only gets 2 Sidewinders (plus guided bombs and gunpods), Late carries 4 Sidewinders (but loses guided bombs and gunpod)…
(Actually, IRL, 2 Missiles but on one side would be the right thing to do, as A-10’s usually carry them like this, and a ECM pod on the other side. I’ve yet to see photographic evidence for a 'Hog with 4x AIM-9’s…).
Operationnal reasons : A-10’s shouldn’t be out in the skies without Air Dominance/Cover in USAF “doctrinal gameplan”