A-10 Warthog Appears To Have Become A Drone Killer

[Talyn]

The laser-guided APKWS II rocket is an established surface-attack weapon for the A-10, which is now likely using a version of it for drone hunting.

A-10 Warthog Appears To Have Become A Drone Killer

The laser-guided APKWS II rocket is an established surface-attack weapon for the A-10, which is now likely using a version of it for drone hunting. The laser-guided APKWS II rocket is an established surface-attack weapon for the A-10, which now appears to be using it for drone hunting.

www.twz.com

 

[powerboatr]

new lease on life
from obliterating tanks and stuff to drone killer AWESOME

 

[Talyn]

Along with the F-4, F-15, the A-10 is one of the most versatile and effective aircraft the US has ever had.

Too bad the DOD is canning them at the end of FY26.

A easy aircraft to maintain and operate, they should all be given to the ANG.

 

[Shibadog]

A10 will kill darn near anything

 

[mikep]

Headline... "A-10 Warthog, Used for Duck Hunting"!
I say it in jest but i wouldn't be surprised.

 

[Onewolf426]

They could always use it for pirate hunting.

 

[Ozarker]

Along with the F-4, F-15, the A-10 is one of the most versatile and effective aircraft the US has ever had.

Too bad the DOD is canning them at the end of FY26.

A easy aircraft to maintain and operate, they should all be given to the ANG.

Probably go to the Dallas P.D. or ICE.

 

[Talyn]

More...

A long-awaited Link 16 upgrade improves networked situational awareness but has been fielded on only a handful of Warthogs, with the new antenna nearly indistinguishable from the existing TACAN installation.

Photos Confirm Link 16 Capability on Select A-10s

The long-awaited upgrade improves networked situational awareness but has been fielded on only a handful of Warthogs, with the new antenna nearly

theaviationist.com

Link 16 is a tactical datalink designed to transmit and exchange real-time information among networked participants; a capability formally known as TADIL J. The system relies on a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) architecture, allowing multiple users to communicate simultaneously across different networks without interference, while maintaining a shared and coherent tactical picture.

 

[Talyn]

Final Class of A-10C Thunderbolt II Pilots Graduates at Davis-Monthan AFB

The 357th Fighter Squadron graduated its last A-10C Thunderbolt II student pilots at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, marking the end of an era for the sole formal training unit for A-10 pilots.

The U.S. Air Force has now ended the training of new A-10C Thunderbolt II pilots, in another step towards the retirement of the aircraft. In fact, on Apr. 3, 2026, the 357th Fighter Squadron graduated the last class of A-10 student pilots at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona.

Final Class of A-10C Thunderbolt II Pilots Graduates at Davis-Monthan AFB

The 357th Fighter Squadron graduated its last A-10C Thunderbolt II student pilots at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, marking the end of an era for the sole

theaviationist.com

 

[Ozarker]

Retiring the A-10 tank is a mistake!

 

[Shibadog]

Retiring the A-10 tank is a mistake!

Agree. The A-10 is the penultimate ground attack/close air support bird. It’s ugly and it’s slow and no “cool” but it darn sure works. I had saw a Russian tank after the first Gulf War that an A-10 had worked over. Looked like a beer can a kid with a .22 had been using for target practice.

 

[Talyn]

Sandy A-10's

Combat search and rescue’s uncertain future: As A-10s phase out, US Air Force faces questions of what comes next

The U.S. Air Force is moving forward with plans to retire the A-10, which for decades has proven ideally suited for combat search-and-rescue operations.

www.militarytimes.com

 

[Retired Bum]

Such a huge waste...

The B52 has been flying over 70 years now, the C130 and F15 and 16 are still great planes. No reason why the A10 couldn't fly till it's replaced by an equivalent force.

Just my thoughts, you may differ.

 

[bc22wm]

Retired Bum, of course there is a reason. If it isn't retired someone won't get kickbacks for buying the replacement.

 

[Shibadog]

Retired Bum, of course there is a reason. If it isn't retired someone won't get kickbacks for buying the replacement.

Agree. If it ain’t broke, don’t “fix” it. The A-10 is a beast-nothing else like it. If fills a niche and is darn effective. It’s not as “cool” as an F-35 but it wasn’t meant to be. Different tools for different jobs. You don’t drive a nail with a screwdriver.

 

[BarryinIN]

The sad truth is it doesn’t fly high and fast, and it doesn’t carry a hundred bombs, so it’s a miracle it ever made it into the inventory.

Now, if the Key West agreement didn’t exist, and the army had control of CAS and an appropriate budget… Dare I dream.

But it’s old! OK then. Its replacement or rebuild program should’ve been chosen around 2005-2015. But again, it doesn’t fly Mach 2.5, etc etc, so nobody in the USAF (with any say) cared.

 

[Shibadog]

The sad truth is it doesn’t fly high and fast, and it doesn’t carry a hundred bombs, so it’s a miracle it ever made it into the inventory.

Now, if the Key West agreement didn’t exist, and the army had control of CAS and an appropriate budget… Dare I dream.

But it’s old! OK then. Its replacement or rebuild program should’ve been chosen around 2005-2015. But again, it doesn’t fly Mach 2.5, etc etc, so nobody in the USAF (with any say) cared.

Pretty well sums it up

 

[FNFAN]

New brief from the AF today indicates the A-10 is being used to hunt the Iranian speedboats. Hopefully someone will intervein and recognize it needs to be updated and not put out to pasture. If the AF doesn't think they're sexy enough then flip the current ones over to the Army and let them develop the new version!

 

[Dobbinsky]

I love the sound of A-10 Warthog mini-guns in the morning.

 

[Retired Bum]

I love the sound of A-10 Warthog mini-guns in the morning.

I'd rather the bad guys wake up to that show!