How to save an A-10 warthog, explained in 5 words

Give this to the army: The A-10 Warthog proved invaluable in close air support, saving countless lives with its ability to loiter across battlefields and deliver devastating firepower.

-Despite the enhanced capabilities of new platforms such as the F-35, the A-10’s unique characteristics such as heavy armor, durability and powerful weapons make it indispensable in supporting ground forces.

– The Air Force’s consideration of retiring the A-10 could create a critical capability gap. Transferring the A-10 program to the U.S. Army, which is more closely aligned with its mission, could preserve this vital asset for future conflicts.

Why the A-10 Warthog is superior to the F-35 in close air support

While working on Capitol Hill, I was asked to participate in discussions about funding a project. F-35 Lightning II and A-10 Warthog. In those days of the defense budget sequestration, funds were limited agreement between Congress and then-President Barack Obama. Because of the constraints, the Pentagon has been forced to choose between funding existing systems like the A-10 or newer systems that will shape the future, like the F-35.

At the first meeting I was leaning towards the F-35. The meetings changed my mind.

As part of our meetings, supporters of both platforms were asked to justify why one of these systems should take precedence over the other. The most impressive arguments came from supporters of the A-10. A group of former special forces came armed gun camera footage from A-10 to detail how the Warthog saved their lives during a Taliban ambush against their unit in the dusty foothills of Afghanistan.

For hours, the A-10 hovered over the battlefield, within spitting distance of entrenched Taliban positions, unleashing a hellfire of molten lead and explosives.

A-10 saves lives

According to the special forces operators who told us their stories, the constant presence of the A-10 over their heads saved their lives. Moreover, this platform allowed the commandos to achieve their goals.

Similar stories can be found in virtually every ground campaign this country has been involved in since the first flight of the A-10 Warthog. As one special forces operator joked to us: “No other bird, not even the F-35, can do for the ground forces what the A-10 can do.”

A-10 “Warthog II” interesting military aircraft. He first took to the unfriendly skies in May 1972. A total of 713 units were produced by Fairchild Republic, now part of Northrop-Grumman, and the A-10 production line ended in 1984. Boeing received contracts from the Air Force in 2013 to modernize the aircraft. For example, new wings were added, extending the lifespan of these aging birds by many years.

The A-10 was designed to conduct “Close air support” missions. So this is not exclusively an Air Force aircraft. Tactical Air Control Team pilots work on the ground to coordinate A-10 airstrikes directly with U.S. ground forces that require air support. This creates a symbiotic relationship between the ground personnel conducting combat operations and the Air Force operating the A-10.

To ensure that these aircraft can withstand such dangerous missions, they are equipped with heavily armored ground guns. The cabin, for example, is surrounded by so-called titanium bath The thickness is up to 3.8 cm to better protect the pilot from enemy fire from the ground. Similar protection is built into the aircraft’s flight systems to ensure the enemy doesn’t get a lucky shot, given how low and vulnerable the A-10 is to enemy ground fire.

One Amazing Warbird

The A-10 is known for its endurance as a combat aircraft. As Special Forces operators explained to me, these aircraft can pack incredible firepower by loitering over the battlefield for long periods of time—much longer than any other aircraft. Firepower, armor and duration of battle are the decisive factors justifying the continued exploitation of this bird.

No other military aircraft can operate as close to the enemy for as long as the A-10. Most other birds, such as the F-35, need to leave battlefield for refueling. And for all the talk about the F-35’s long-range capabilities, when U.S. ground forces are under threat, there’s nothing like having a warplane that can get right in the enemy’s face and stab them.

A-10 are truly evil warthogs. They are armed with their cult 30 mm GAU-8/A cannonas well as mixed ammunition. The bird is a bomb carrier of epic proportions. It has three ventral pylon posts and eight underwing ones. They carry weapons like 500 lb Mk-82 And 2000 lb Mk-84. They can also fly with AGM-65 Maverick And AIM-9 Sidewinder missile.

A-10 trades speed for endurance. It can barely reach Mach 0.75. The F-35 is significantly faster. But the A-10 has an astonishing range of 2,580 miles. Moreover, the A-10 can fly in adverse conditions. These birds can take off and land from short runways at forward operating bases. Considering the types of wars the US military has been involved in, such as Afghanistan, it is surprising that the Pentagon decided to retire this bird in the first place. And if great power If war were to break out between the United States and a near-peer rival such as China or Russia, the A-10 would play an important role in breaking through enemy air defense bubbles.

Give A-10 to the army

Although the F-35 is a modern marvel and can perform the same missions as the A-10, it is a fifth-generation military aircraft not enough the kind of endurance and durability that the A-10 has proven time and time again.

When I was in government, some A-10 enthusiasts suggested that the Air Force simply broadcast The A-10 program was transferred to the US Army. The army has a limited fleet of aircraft. While the Army has culturally eschewed the role of aviation, especially the fixed-wing role, the A-10’s mission and capabilities are less aligned with the Air Force mission set and more in a ground support role. So, to save the legendary warbird, the Army must take over this program. This should be done before the A-10 is retired and a critical capability gap arises—just as great power war is looming.

About the author

Brandon J. Weichertnational interest, national security analystformer congressional staffer and geopolitical analyst who has written for The Washington Times, Asia Times and The-Pipeline. He is the author of Conquering Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacking: China’s Race to Control Life, and Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His next book, A Catastrophe of Our Own Creation: How the West Lost Ukraine, will be published October 22 by Encounter Books. Weichert can be followed on Twitter @WeTheBrandon.

Image credit: Creative Commons.