US Air Force Extends A-10 Service Life to 2030

The US Air Force announced on Monday that it will extend the service life of its A-10 Thunderbolt ground-attack aircraft until at least 2030. The announcement was made by the office of the Secretary of the Air Force via social media.

"We will EXTEND the A-10 'Warthog' platform to 2030. This preserves combat power as the Defense Industrial Base works to increase combat aircraft production."

This decision marks a reversal of previous plans. The service had intended to retire the aircraft later this year. However, Congress mandated in the National Defense Authorization Act that the Air Force maintain 103 A-10s in its fleet, with 2029 previously projected as its final year of service.

The final class of A-10 pilots graduated from training at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base earlier this month.

Background on the A-10 "Warthog"

The first A-10 was delivered to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, in October 1975. The aircraft has been used in several conflicts and is famously equipped with a powerful 30mm gatling gun nose cannon.

Recent Operational Use

According to the article, senior military officials have highlighted the aircraft's continued relevance. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine said A-10s have proven useful in the war in Iran.

Gen. Caine provided a specific example, stating that A-10s played a key role in suppressing Iranian forces during a rescue operation for a downed F-15E flight crew. During that mission, one A-10 was hit. Its pilot managed to fly the damaged aircraft back over friendly territory before ejecting safely.