Iconic A-10 “Thunderbolt” to Bow Out in 2029!
This year marks the 51st anniversary of the A-10 aircraft, developed by Fairchild Aircraft and famously known as the "Warthog," since its maiden flight in 1972.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — BRRTTTT!!! Realizing that the A-10 “Thunderbolt” aircraft is no longer capable of “saving” itself from the threat of modern air defense systems, the United States military has decided to retire the long-serving and uniquely-designed fighter aircraft in 2029.
This year marks the 51st anniversary of the A-10 aircraft, developed by Fairchild Aircraft and famously known as the “Warthog,” since its maiden flight in 1972.
Fairchild Aircraft, the original developer, has long been defunct and was later acquired by M7 Aerospace before being purchased by Elbit Systems.
Originally designed for missions in Europe during the height of the Cold War tensions, the A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft saw more action during the Gulf War and conflicts in Afghanistan, where it gained popularity among U.S. ground troops.
Its outstanding performance during the Gulf War and Afghanistan conflicts saved it from early retirement by the U.S. Air Force.
Equipped with seven 30mm GAU/Avenger “Gatling Gun” cannons capable of firing 3,900 rounds per minute to destroy armored vehicles, tanks, and enemy positions, the A-10 Thunderbolt was a terrifying adversary for enemy armor and defense infrastructure.
In addition to the 30mm cannon with projectiles the size of Coca-Cola bottles, the A-10 was also equipped with guided “Maverick” missiles and JDAM guided bombs.
The U.S. military had considered retiring the A-10 as early as 1991 but failed to do so due to its exceptional performance in the Gulf War, where it was credited with destroying hundreds of armored vehicles and tanks belonging to Saddam Hussein’s forces, as well as in the Afghanistan conflict.
According to the latest plan, the U.S. Air Force will begin phasing out its 21 A-10 aircraft this year, followed by others, with all 281 of them expected to be retired by 2029.
U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff CQ Brown stated that retiring the first 21 A-10 aircraft is just the beginning, and all of them will be retired within “five to six years.”
By the end of this decade, it is expected that there will be no more A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft in the skies.
Military analysts in Washington believe it is difficut for Thunderbolt to “survive” against modern air defense systems, especially when facing Russian-made close-range air defense systems like “TOR,” medium-range “BUK,” or long-range S-400 “Triumf.”
This does not even take into account Chinese air defense systems that are now widely used by various countries worldwide and anti-American militant groups.
The role initially intended for the A-10 aircraft, which was designed as a “close air support” (CAS) aircraft, was initially proposed to be taken over by F-16 aircraft.
However, since the F-16 aircraft is also aging and slated for retirement within a decade, the United States plans to replace the Thunderbolt with F-35 aircraft.
The question remains: Can the F-35 aircraft effectively perform the role of Close Air Support (CAS) for ground troops in the field, as the A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft did? — DSA
DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA APPS
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