Key Points and Summary – The US Air Force has announced plans to retire its entire fleet of 162 A-10 “Warthog” Thunderbolt II aircraft by the end of fiscal year 2026, two years ahead of schedule.
-The iconic close air support platform, beloved by ground troops for its durability and powerful GAU-8 Avenger cannon, is being phased out as the Air Force deems it unable to survive in a modern conflict against a peer adversary like China.
-The A-10’s role will largely be absorbed by the F-15EX Eagle II, which has a much larger payload capacity for air-to-ground munitions.
Should The Air Force Retire The A-10 Warthog?
BRRRRRT! The sound that so many United States troops loved to hear will soon be a distant memory.
The US Air Force announced the early retirement of all 162 remaining A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft, also known affectionately as the “Warthog,” by the end of fiscal year 2026, two years ahead of schedule.
It is a strategy where the Air Force divests itself of 340 aircraft in total from the service’s inventory.
Originally built between 1972 and 1984 for close air support, the A-10’s durability and GAU-8 Avenger cannon earned it a stellar reputation among troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Despite that legacy, Air Force officials said the platform no longer fits the demands of future modern conflict.
SOFX wrote that the plan would mark the Air Force’s most significant aircraft drawdown in years, with roughly 350 planes and helicopters slated for retirement next year. In addition to the A-10s, the list includes 62 F-16s, 36 F-15s, 14 C-130H cargo planes, three EC-130H electronic warfare aircraft, and 15 KC-135 tankers.
So, is the move to retire the A-10 a smart one?
Close Air Support: Less of A Requirement Now?
Last year, then-Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown said that Close Air Support was less of a requirement these days and that low- and slow-flying aircraft wouldn’t survive in a war with an enemy like China.
The second half of the statement is totally true. On a modern battlefield with an enemy like China or Russia with a plethora of anti-aircraft missiles, the “Hog” would suffer terrible losses.
However, in many Third World countries, where our Special Operators currently deploy, the A-10 would still be relevant. Our troops welcomed it for its deadly ability to suppress enemy forces. For the record, close air support is ALWAYS a requirement for ground troops.
However, perhaps SOCOM saw the writing on the wall and has purchased the lightweight Armed Overwatch aircraft that it controls. It is a highly modified version of the Air Tractor AT-802U, an aircraft typically used for crop dusting and firefighting.
The OA-1K Skyraider II, also known as Sky Warden, was developed by L3Harris and Air Tractor and is designed to provide close air support, armed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), as well as precision strike capabilities, to special operations forces.
Air Force Budget Cuts the Number of F-35s Purchased in 2026
The Air Force has often stated that the arrival of the F-35 will replace the A-10 fleet. However, the new budget also reduces the number of those jets, which carry fewer weapons than the A-10 and lack its famous GAU-8 Avenger 30 mm gun.
The Air Force instead said it will request $3.1 billion for 21 F-15EX aircraft, while reducing its F-35 procurement from 74 to 47, and will spend $3.4 billion developing the F-47, the next-generation air superiority fighter (NGAD).
The F-15EX Appears To Be The Next Ground Support Aircraft
President Trump made a surprise announcement that the Michigan Air National Guard, which is set to lose its A-10 Warthogs in 2026, will be reequipped with the F-15EX.
Therefore, the Michigan ANG squadron will need to be trained on the F-15EX. The aircraft features an increased payload of 29,000 pounds, along with two additional weapons stations. It can carry hypersonic missiles or up to 12 AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles or AIM-120 AMRAAMs, or a combination of up to 24 air-to-ground munitions.
Plus, it carries one internally mounted M61A1 20 mm six-barrel cannon (500 rounds). The cannon is no match for the 30mm, but it is still powerful nonetheless.
It is also blisteringly fast, with a speed of Mach 2.5, or approximately 1,918.7 miles per hour. The Michigan ANG pilots could also be teachers, training new F-15EX pilots on the finer points of ground support.
It’s Time to Say Goodbye to the Hog
As hard as it is, the A-10’s time has come. I was hoping that the Michigan ANG unit would survive, but the Air Force has made its decision. And I’d hate to see A-10s being shot down in future combat.
It isn’t suited to the modern air battle, but we will miss it. It was an ugly icon for a service that loves the next pretty thing. But for the people on the ground, it was (and is) a beautiful sight. BRRRRRT.
About the Author:
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
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