The A-10 Warthog Aircraft Carrier ‘Dream’ Summed Up in 2 Words

PUBLISHED on August 9, 2025, 2:57 PM EDT – Key Points and Summary – While the A-10 Warthog is a legendary “flying tank” for close air support, a “navalized” aircraft carrier-based version is ultimately an unrealistic concept.

-The aircraft is too heavy, its airframe and landing gear are not built to withstand violent carrier operations, and it lacks essential features like a tailhook.

-Furthermore, in a future high-tech conflict with a peer adversary like China, the non-stealthy A-10 would be obsolete, making the entire concept a fascinating but impractical “thought experiment.”

Could the A-10 Warthog Ever Fly From Aircraft Carriers?

There is nothing like the A-10 Warthog.

This flying tank, officially known as the Thunderbolt II, can sustain close air support missions better than any other aircraft.

The A-10 first earned its reputation for destroying enemy armored vehicles and tipping the scales in favor of the Americans during Operation Desert Storm.

The distinctive rumble of the A-10’s nose-mounted GAU-8/A Avenger 30-mm rotary cannon alerts friendly ground forces to get their heads down during the Warthog’s strafing runs.

The A-10 could then follow with bombs, rockets, and missiles to plink enemy tanks.

Excellent Work During the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan

The Air Force used the Warthog to great effect after 9/11, helping American soldiers and Marines in tight combat situations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The airplane had the range and speed needed to reach the action quickly, and excellent loitering capability to stay on top of a target once it arrived.

Definitely a Help for the Marines In Amphibious Operations

While the Warthog is known for its prowess in close air support missions, there is some speculation that it could have gone further still; that the A-10 could have been “navalized” and deployed on an aircraft carrier, from which it could support Marines conducting amphibious operations.

Maximum ground support is needed at the beginning of any mission to attack an island. Remember, there are no longer battleships that can deliver maximum naval gun support to help leathernecks take the beaches, like they did in World War II. The Navy would need to concentrate firepower on the attack zone in other ways.

Perhaps the A-10 would be the ideal platform to support an amphibious attack.

Air Force Pilots Are Not Naval Aviators

However, in reality, this would have required some effort. First, A-10 pilots would need to be cross-trained to become carrier-qualified, which costs time and money.

While Air Force pilots are always up for a challenge, achieving carrier competence requires a rigorous set of training iterations.

The Warthog Is Too Heavy And Would Need Many Modifications

The A-10 weighs 25,000 pounds, including 1,200 pounds of armor in front to reinforce the cockpit and protect the pilot. This makes the airplane too top-heavy to launch and land on a carrier.

The A-10 also has no tailhook, which suggests just one of the modifications the Warthog would have needed to make it carrier-worthy. Among others, the A-10 does not have landing gear suitable to land on a flat-top, and there is no system in place to allow for a catapult launch. Finally, the fuselage is not reinforced to handle the stress of landing on a carrier deck.

The A-10 is being retired from the Air Force and is headed to the boneyard. What was once such a valuable close air support asset is being discarded, and the ground support mission will be taken over by the F-35 Lightning II.

But let’s say that a carrier-capable version of the A-10 could be made. The Marines would love it. The devil dogs do not have their own tanks anymore, so if the enemy brought armor to a fight, the folks on the ground would need air support. Why not have a flying tank bringing down death and destruction from the air?

A-10s flying with F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets would allow for a powerful one-two punch. However, the World War Two style of amphibious attacks may not be in the cards during a future fight with China.

The China Fight Will Be Carried Out By Missiles

Conflict against the People’s Republic will probably be about missile strikes conducted by ships, bombers, and full-fledged fighter jets – platforms including the F-35, the B-2, and the future F-47 and B-21. The A-10 really has no place in this future aerial order of battle.

Further, aircraft carriers would not have room for a healthy number of A-10s. The carrier air wing needs a large assortment of aircraft for electronic warfare, aerial combat control, and anti-submarine duties. The flight decks are full, with no available space to allocate to the A-10.

The Warthog’s long run is over. The flying tank had an enviable service record, but it has been eclipsed by other airplanes that can conduct the same anti-armor and ground support missions.

In 2 Words: Never Happen

Using an A-10 on an aircraft carrier is an interesting thought experiment, but the airplane is just not designed for the Navy, even though once it is on its way to the mission, it could help a force of marauding Marines.

A future fight in the Indo-Pacific will use missiles from other aircraft launched by ships. The A-10 just does not have a naval mission.

About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood

Brent M. Eastwood, PhD is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.

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