The A-10 warthog

[clublights]

Whoops double post some how ....

[RMAC757]

Part of me wishes the Army would take over the CAS role for themselves again, and increase the Army budget and cut the AF budgets accordingly. Let the Af handle the traditional air superiority, nuke, and transport roles. I have a feeling if the A-10 were an Army platform, it wouldn't be going away anytime soon.

That would be cool but almost impossible due to the Key West Agreements of '48 and '54 prohibiting Army fixed wing combat aircraft from doing anything but Surveillance and med evacuation. Essentially...no bombs.

[Gman]

Once at risk of extinction, iconic Warthog plane lives on

Once on the brink of forced retirement, the A-10 attack plane with the ungainly shape and odd nickname has been given new life, spared by Air Force leaders who have reversed the Obama administration's view of the plane as an unaffordable extra in what had been a time of tight budgets.

In the 2018 Pentagon budget plan sent to Congress this week, the Air Force proposed to keep all 283 A-10s flying for the foreseeable future.

Three years ago, the Pentagon proposed scrapping the fleet for what it estimated would be $3.5 billion in savings over five years. Congress said no.

The following year, the military tried again but said the retirement would not be final until 2019. Congress again said no.

Last year, officials backed away a bit further, indicating retirement was still the best option but that it could be put off until 2022.

Now the retirement push is over, and the Warthog's future appears secure.

"The world has changed," said Maj. Gen. James F. Martin Jr., the Air Force budget deputy, in explaining decisions to keep aircraft once deemed expendable.

[To Bear Arms]

One of my favorite airplanes!

[68Charger]

happened upon this vid by accident.. this airframe never ceases to amaze...

[Gman]

Wow.

[roberth]

Once at risk of extinction, iconic Warthog plane lives on

Good.

[Mtneer]

[Clint45]

Anyone remember a news story, back during the Clinton administration, of BATF getting about a dozen A-10 Warthogs? It was mentioned in the news for a few weeks then never spoken of again... and Google can find no reference to that story.

[To Bear Arms]

I don't remember that, but NCAR up in Broomfield field has a decommissioned one that they have been outfitting for "atmospheric" research for the last couple years.