U.S. A-10 "Warthog" Attack Aircraft Delayed in Service

According to a report by Reference News Network on April 24, Reuters reported on April 20 that the U.S. Air Force Secretary has extended the lifespan of the A-10 "Warthog" attack aircraft to 2030, saving this increasingly aging yet beloved close air support aircraft, which has played a significant role in Iran, from the fate of retirement in 2026.

U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall posted on social media, stating, "We will extend the A-10 'Warthog' platform to 2030."

He also mentioned, "While the defense industrial base works to increase the production of combat aircraft, this action preserves combat capability."

This decision is the latest chapter in a long struggle over the fate of this aircraft model. The aircraft first flew in 1972, and the Pentagon has been considering retiring it for over 20 years. The U.S. Central Command stated that the A-10 has been used in the current conflict with Iran. Reports indicate that its powerful nose-mounted cannon has been used to strike Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

Some in the U.S. Air Force have long believed that the "Warthog" attack aircraft is too old, too slow, and too costly to maintain, and retiring it would free up funds for modern priority projects such as developing hypersonic weapons. Critics warn that cutting the "Warthog" fleet without suitable replacements would leave ground forces without adequate air support. (Translated by Qiu Fang)