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 The A-10 was so effective that many proponents argued for its continued use, even as the technology became outdated and the Air Force shifted toward newer, more advanced aircraft.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.
Drones.
Lots and lots and lots of drones.
Too bad the Air Force doesn't like flying slow, low, or close to combat.
Too bad we have the artificial and unnecessary ban on fixed wing aircraft for the Army.
Too bad there isn't a carrier capable A-10 equivalent for the Navy and Marines.
Too bad the last thing jihadis see looking up will no longer be a Cross in the sky.
So sad to lose the ugliest most beautiful aircraft ever.
Against the rest of the US military, that may be true. Against the rest of the world it is exactly the right tool.
It just isn’t sexy enough for you ghey chair force types.
Replaced by the AC-130J and family which does the same mission, night or day, from further away, with better accuracy, and far more fire power.
Send it to the Army. I’d say Marines as well but can’t possibly make ir carrier able.
Wars are won on the battlefield and lost in Washington.
maybe!
30MM is about 1.2 inches. A standard soda can is nearly 5 inches in dia.
A decade back, when I was a docent in an aviation museum, my favorite aircraft (out of the 30 or so we displayed) was the A-10.
I have tons of interesting little asides about this amazing aircraft. Among them...
The projectile from the cartridges typically weighed nearly a pound, and once the gun was fired, the empty cases were stored back in the magazine.
The Gau-8 produced so much recoil that the barrel of the gun was mounted in the centerline of the aircraft, preventing asymmetric forces that would drive the aim off target.
When the gun was fired, it produced so much smoke that it could extinguish one or both engines, thus whenever shooting, the engine igniters were automatically engaged for a quick re-start.
The state dept planes that spray coca fields in south America were flying bronco’s, and were looking to upgrade to a10’s when 9-11 happened. Lots of tonnage and hardpoints for spray tanks, and armored enough that they wouldn’t have to worry about small arms fire while spraying. Send them down to Patrick AFB for drug duty.
My house is in direct line with the runway at Eglin AFB.
F-35s are LOUD..................................
Turn the A-10 over to the Army
I didn’t know that about the engine igniters. Thanks!
No Coke, Pepsi.
Mixed emotions here. It is probably the best Close Air Support aircraft of all time. Literally thousands of US troops are alive today because of it. Untold numbers of enemy dispatched by A10 jockeys.
Due to my situation in Desert Storm, being attached to a Saudi unit as an advisor, A10s, Apaches, and Marine Cobras were a threat to my well-being. The Saudis had old Viet Nam era V-150s which look a lot like Soviet built BRDM Command/Scout vehicles. We lost eight vehicles and had 42 KIA, half to Friendly Fire.
Will they sell them off at auction?
Please. Christmas is coming.
Chip, Chip, Cheeseburger, Cheeseburger.............
The fighter mafia scores another victory.
The A-10 wasn’t a fighter plane. It was designed for ground support, a mission that the USAF lied to accept to keep the Army from arming helicopters.
A-10 ping.
Except for subs. The hidden and constantly moving nuclear deterrent.
Drones kill tanks and they are far cheaper. Read today’s WSJ article on how drones have remade warfare.
The value of tanks is questionable given how easily they are killed by drones.
My old eyes initially read that as "firing Pelosi-sized". I gotta get to the eye doc.
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