The Military and Veterans' Room
The A-10 lives to fly again
The Air Force is replacing the wings on the A-10 fleet. That should keep the 281 planes flying into the 2030s. Although the US is worried about their survivability in a near-peer conflict.
The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing a contract to manufacture new wings for the A-10 Warthog. The jets, most of which date back to the 1980s, were in danger of being permanently grounded unless their aging wings were replaced. The new contract means the service’s entire fleet of 281 ground attack jets will get new wings, allowing them to fly through the 2030s.
The A-10 Thunderbolt, or “Warthog,” as it is affectionately known by everyone from pilots to ground troops, was the first U.S. Air Force aircraft purpose-built as a ground attack aircraft. The A-10 is designed to provide close air support to troops on the ground, knocking out tanks and strafing enemy troop columns threatening friendly forces.
The heavily armored plane is famous for its GAU-8/A seven-barrel 30-millimeter Gatling gun, whose famous roar heralds its arrival over the battlefield.
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Originally Posted by Lummy
