The A-10 Warthog Needs to Be Retired Right Now

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Key Points: The A-10 Warthog has served valiantly, proving its worth in Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan, where it saved countless ground troops with its unmatched close air support. However, evolving combat scenarios and the need for advanced technology signal its time to retire.

-The F-35 and F-15EX can fulfill close air support roles while excelling in modern aerial combat and stealth operations.

-The U.S. Air Force plans to retire 42 A-10s this year, reallocating resources to newer aircraft.

-A-10 pilots can transition to other platforms or train F-35 aviators in close air support tactics, marking a shift to 21st-century warfare needs.

The A-10 Warthog: Time to Retire the Legendary Tank Killer?

Can we finally retire the A-10 Warthog?

I have seen it at air shows, and this ugly warbird is impressive in its firepower and maneuverability. We know it is chock full of weapons. We know it has served in combat for decades with distinction. We know how many supporters it has among ground troops saved in close combat by the A-10, but its days should be numbered. The F-35 should replace it. The F-35 can conduct close air support in stealth mode to maintain U.S. advantages in ground combat.

So, it is time to say goodbye to the A-10. And let me tell you all of the reasons why.

Is Warfare Changing or Staying the Same?

The United States is no longer fighting wars with troops on the ground. The Pentagon is still trying to figure out what combat will look like in the future. Battle planners and intelligence analysts are learning lessons from the war in Ukraine. Armored combat with infantry fighting vehicles, tanks, and conventional artillery appears to be in vogue.

Much of future combat will still be conventional, where troops will need a boost from missiles and bombs from aircraft. So, one can say there is still a need for a dedicated airplane to provide close air support.

Other Fighters Can Do the A-10’s Job

But that airplane does not need to be the A-10. The F-35 and the F-15EX can cover troops and combat vehicles instead. The money saved from the A-10 program can be used to buy more F-35s and F-15EXs.

The Air Force has listened to this criticism and agrees that the A-10 must go. Forty-two Warthogs will retire this year and 260 airplanes with go away completely in the coming years.

Let’s Give the A-10 the Distinction It Deserves

Now let’s not forget about the A-10’s sterling combat record. It served as an erstwhile tank plinker during Operation Desert Storm – just what is was designed for.

During the Second Gulf War and the war in Afghanistan, significant numbers of Special Operations Forces and conventional Army soldiers were saved due to the daring and skillful pilots who flew A-10s to bring the fight to the enemy. The airplane could search and destroy with the best of them.

It’s an Era of Dogfighting and Stand-off Missile Combat

But will the United States be involved in massive ground combat in the near future?

Any conflict with China will consist of air and naval battles. Combat with China will probably last days or weeks, not months or years.

It is doubtful that the U.S. military would ever face China in mechanized warfare. So, the need for close air support for ground troops is not assured in the future. The A-10 is just obsolete.

Save Some Money

Second, there is the cost that can be saved by retiring the A-10. All of those dollars spent on Warthog maintenance and training are better allocated to the F-35. The Air Force has been trying to retire the A-10 for years – now is the time. The 42 that are going away this year is a good start, let’s hope they will all visit the boneyard for a permanent stay on the ground soon.

Re-train Pilots

Third, A-10 pilots can be cross-trained on different aircraft. Aviators are expensive to train and retain. More should be focused on aerial combat and dogfighting. This is where the fight will be in the 21st century. The Air Force must be ready to take on the best Chinese pilots and modern airplanes.

Spread the Knowledge of Close Air Support

Or, A-10 pilots can become trainers themselves and teach the F-35 aviators how to conduct close air support. Combat support is not the main mission of the F-35, but this could change, especially if the F-35 pilots can take on more responsibilities when it comes to supporting the warfighter on the ground.

There are many reasons to retire the A-10 Warthog, and the Air Force is correct to pursue this elimination. Yes, it has done the job it was designed for, but the F-35 is an airplane that can provide the same mission. Take the money and invest it in the F-35 or F-15EX. Retrain A-10 pilots or use them to teach F-35 aviators the fine art of close-air support. It is a new era of combat, and the A-10 is not needed anymore.

About the Author: 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.