Air Force: A-10 To Fully Retire Within a Decade

by Maya Carlin, Warrior Contributor, Weapons

Last month, the U.S. Air Force revealed its intention to retire the A-10 “Thunderbolt II” ground attack aircraft within a decade.

The legendary platform first took to the skies more than half a century ago, and while aviation buffs’ hearts will be broken when it goes, the Air Force has sought for years to begin the A-10’s retirement. Congress has been reluctant to approve these plans, since the Warthog is the only close air support ground-attack airframe in the service.

The Thunderbolts proved to be important assets over the last two decades while participating in U.S. counterinsurgency efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now that America’s security posture has largely shifted to Asia, however, the need for the A-10’s specific role is fading.

Origins of the A-10 Warthog

In the years after the Second World War, the Air Force recognized the need for a modern conventional attack airframe. In the early days of the Vietnam War, the U.S. military flew the Douglas A-1 Skyraider, which carried a decent payload. But its slow pace and inadequate firepower left the Skyraider vulnerable to enemy fire.

Around this time, then-Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara instructed the Air Force to create two tactical aircraft to fulfill the needs for a long-range strike platform and a fighter-bomber platform. The F-4 Phantom and the F-111 Aardvark were the results, and while both platforms were impressive, the Air Force needed an airframe that could counter the Soviet Union’s all-weather attack operations. Thus the A-X program was conceptualized, culminating in the A-10 prototype.

The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is commonly referred to as the Warthog. Designed for durability, the A-10 is fitted with titanium armor for extra protection from ground fire. The affectionately dubbed “titanium bathtub” entered service with the Air Force in the mid-1970s and has remained an important asset to the branch over the years.

Can You Fire It Upside Down?

The Warthog can pack a punch. The hydraulically driven GAU-8/A Avenger Gatling gun under the nose of the airframe can fire at a rate of 4,200 rounds per minute. While this weapon is the A-10’s primary armament for close air support missions, it would be challenging to fire while inverted.