Posted on 07/22/2025 6:46:09 AM PDT by Red Badger
A combination of budget constraints, strategic realignment, and the evolution of warfare in the decades since the A-10’s debut has contributed to the aircraft’s retirement. After four decades of service, the renowned A-10 Warthog is finally slated for full retirement. After years of indecision, the US Air Force now plans to retire the A-10 fleet before the end of FY2026. The last A-10 is expected to make its last flight before October 2026, a sad day in aviation that will mark the end of an aircraft that aviation enthusiasts and ground troops alike have adored for a generation.
The A-10 Warthog Is Still a Capable Fighter Despite finally being slated for retirement, the A-10 is now, and has been since its inception, the world’s most capable close air support (CAS) aircraft. Built to survive, loiter, and destroy, the A-10 has gained nearly legendary status for its ability to both absorb and dole out damage. With a titanium “bathtub” encasing the pilot and redundant flight systems, the A-10 has been known to survive significant damage, even having a wing sheared off, and still return the pilot safely back to base.
With a massive 30-mm GAU-8/A Avenger rotary cannon, capable of firing Pepsi can-sized depleted uranium rounds at a 70-round-per-second rate, the A-10 is fully capable of destroying tanks and armored vehicles. Paired with the ability to fly low and slow, almost like a helicopter, for extended periods over a battle space, the A-10 has rightfully earned a reputation as the world’s best CAS aircraft.
Indeed, the A-10 proved itself during the Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the Afghanistan War, thriving in the desert environment and serving as an invaluable asset in protecting American troops on the ground and engaging the enemy in complex and close-quarters situations. The A-10 was so effective that many proponents argued for its continued use, even as the technology became outdated and the Air Force shifted toward newer, more advanced aircraft.
The A-10 Warthog Lacks Stealth Features However, after years of delaying the inevitable, the A-10 is finally slated for retirement. A combination of budget constraints, strategic realignment, and the evolution of warfare in the decades since the A-10’s debut has contributed to the aircraft’s retirement.
The A-10 is not a stealth fighter and would struggle to survive in contested environments against modern air defense systems. In addition, the United States is pivoting away from conflict with third-world countries where the US Air Force has complete air superiority, thereby allowing the A-10 to operate without consequence despite its lack of stealth characteristics. The US Air Force is preparing for conflict with near-peer adversaries that possess air defense systems capable of rendering the non-stealth, subsonic A-10 ineffective.
The A-10 retirement process is already underway. Congress, which had previously blocked attempts to divest the platform, citing concerns over CAS capability gaps (there is no A-10 equivalent), finally began approving limited A-10 retirements.
As a result, the Air Force has been gradually drawing down its fleet. The phase-out process will continue through FY2026, when the last of the 162 remaining A-10s will be stood down.
About the Author: Harrison Kass Harrison Kass is a Senior Defense and National Security Writer at The National Interest. Kass is an attorney and former political candidate who joined the US Air Force as a pilot trainee before being medically discharged. He focuses on military strategy, aerospace, and global security affairs. He holds a JD from the University of Oregon and a master’s in Global Journalism and International Relations from NYU.
Not likely.Very difficult to buy current military aircraft and an A 10 would be a no no.after ww2 you could buy anything you like if you had the money.
Yep
I was on a boat in Lake George, NY when a trio of A-10s flew directly overhead enjoying the scenery.
Air Force brass never liked nor wanted the A-10, it wasn’t a fast mover or nuclear capable. They have been trying to kill the A-10 for years. Army guys; however, loved the Warthog and its big gun. I hope there is a viable replacement for the close air support mission.
Give it to the Army. It’s where it has always belonged.
They are using stealth as the scapegoat. A bad guy needs to hear and see that the A10 is coming. The BRRRRRRRRTTTT tolls for thee.
This is exactly why modernization of procurement in the military can no longer be delayed. If anything, I think it’s time to retire the Air Force. Assign the air role to the appropriate branches and move on, especially in a world where drones will most certainly be owned by each branch according to their mission set.
Space isn’t close. It is 300 miles away.
Shameful !
They are shooting down drones every day. Some get through but emerging strategies will take out even more in the future.
The A10 is a combat proven weapon designed to fight close-in but can also be used with precision standoff munitions from perhaps 50 miles away.
This year the U.S. cut the production order for (U.S.) F35s
because we can't afford to buy the numbers we need.
Let's stipulate that the A10 is not the best weapon to use day one in a fight against a peer enemy. But what about day two, or week two, or year two of a total war?
We have about 200 A10s remaining - all bought and paid for; and the trained pilots to fly them.
Quantity has a quality of its own.
True drones are being shot down but they have stalemated the war in Ukraine and allowed Ukraine to hit deep inside Russia
Plus drone use is asymmetrical, shooting down a $2000 or $20,000 drone with a weapon that costs multiple times more is not a winning long term strategy
Big mistake. Huge.
Drones are killing infantry but they have not made infantry obsolete.
The A10s were made to kill tanks and the infantry accompanying them - not to shoot down drones. (But they probably could shoot down a drone flying 120 miles per hour.)
In 2026 when the A10s retire there will still be potential enemy tanks and infantry that need to be serviced.
What specific proven weapon will replace the 200 A10s?
I’m generally skeptical about drone technology, but watching the vehicle kills that drones are making in Ukraine, I’d say that the anti-armor role of the A-10 will largely be taken by drones.
Drone swarms, they have reeked havoc on the battlefield in Ukraine taking out tanks and APCs on both sides, I’m not saying it’s the right or wrong strategy but it’s the way modern warfare is going
Warthog = Albatross
“What’s going to replace its function as the greatest ground support/tank killer ever?”
The F-35 with precision munitions...and drones.
The A-10 today would not survive 2 minutes on a modern battlefield.
:)
What??!! The best ground attack plane we have.
They used to fly these out of the ANG base near me. I loved seeing them play in the sky every week.
Now we have F35s. They are impressive…but boy are they loud.
I had college classmates fly the A10 in Desert Storm. When you got them talking about it, they were like kids talking about Christmas morning presents.
They would be decimated in a massive scale armor war. The air defenses are too good. And, the same thing could be accomplished with drone swarms at a significant cost savings.
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