Why does the Air Force hate the A-10?

The Air Force's desire to retire the A-10 Warthog stems from its specialized, slow design being seen as vulnerable and expensive in modern, high-tech warfare, conflicting with the Air Force's focus on multi-role, stealthy fighters like the F-35, which can operate in contested airspace, though ground troops love the A-10 for its potent, iconic gun and dedicated Close Air Support (CAS) capabilities. The Air Force views it as an aging, single-mission platform holding back resources better used for future threats, while supporters argue it's irreplaceable for supporting ground troops in current conflicts.

Why does the Air Force hate the A-10?

High operating costs: The A-10 is relatively expensive to operate and maintain, especially compared to newer aircraft. This has led some to argue that it is not a cost-effective platform for the Air Force. 4. Limited range: The A-10 has a limited range, which means it must be based close to the battlefield.

Why does the Air Force want to retire the A-10?

Sending the Warthog, as the aircraft is affectionately called, out to pasture, the Air Force says, will free up funds for more modern and survivable aircraft, like the F-15EX and, to a lesser extent, the F-35, that can fly the Close Air Support (CAS) missions and also conduct other high end operations.

Why is the A-10 Warthog so feared?

Because it is resistant to attack, is accurate, and puts a LOT of very destructive ammo on target. It is not, however a panacea ground attack aircraft. It's probably the deadliest airplane in the world for close air support in uncontested air space. But that 'uncontested air space' is not a minor consideration.

Is the A-10 a bad aircraft?

The USAF also said that the A-10 was increasingly vulnerable to modern anti-aircraft weapons, but the Army replied that it had proved invaluable due to its versatile weapons loads, psychological impact, and limited logistics needs.

Why the Air Force is Screaming to Retire the A-10 Warthog

What is the crappiest plane?

The Christmas Bullet, later known as the Cantilever Aero Bullet (sometimes referred to as the Christmas Strutless Biplane), was an American single-seat cantilever wing biplane. It is considered by many to be among the worst aircraft ever constructed for its time.

What's replacing the A-10 Warthog?

The A-10 Warthog doesn't have a single direct replacement; instead, the F-35 Lightning II is the intended long-term successor for Close Air Support (CAS), while other jets like the F-15EX Eagle II are being used for modernization, and some suggest new "clean sheet" designs or upgrading existing platforms like the F-16. The F-35 offers advanced stealth, sensors, and multi-role capability, but faces debate over truly matching the A-10's low-speed, heavily armored, loitering effectiveness, leading to continued A-10 service and paused retirements.
 

Has an A-10 ever been shot down?

Yes, A-10 Thunderbolt IIs ("Warthogs") have been shot down or heavily damaged in combat, notably during the 1991 Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm) and the 2003 Iraq War, with several aircraft lost or damaged by anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) and surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), though pilots often survived due to the aircraft's robust design and manual reversion systems, with the last confirmed airframe loss occurring in Iraq in 2003.
 

Is the A-10 better than the F-35?

Neither the A-10 Warthog nor the F-35 Lightning II is universally "better"; they excel at different things: the A-10 is superior for close-air support (CAS) in low-threat environments due to its massive GAU-8 cannon, armor, and ruggedness, while the F-35 is a versatile, stealthy multi-role jet for high-threat scenarios, excelling in air superiority, electronic warfare, and deep strikes, though it carries fewer cannon rounds and lacks the A-10's specialized ground attack resilience. The "better" choice depends entirely on the mission: A-10 for supporting troops in low-intensity conflicts, F-35 for contested airspace against advanced adversaries.
 

Which US plane has never been shot down?

The F-15 Eagle is a fighter jet that was originally made by McDonnell-Douglas (later Boeing). It is known around the world for its toughness and undefeated record, meaning that it has never been shot down by an enemy plane.

Can an A-10 survive a missile?

The aircraft can survive direct hits from armor-piercing and high explosive projectiles up to 23mm. Their self-sealing fuel cells are protected by internal and external foam. Manual systems back up their redundant hydraulic flight-control systems.

What's the fastest U.S. fighter jet?

The relatively unassuming McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, flown by the US Air Force since 1976, is a speed monster—the fastest aircraft currently serving in the Air Force, and one of the fastest jet fighters in history.

Is the SU-25 better than the A-10?

Neither the Su-25 nor the A-10 is definitively "better"; they are different tools for similar jobs, with the Su-25 excelling in speed, maneuverability, and lower-cost operations from rough fields, while the A-10 dominates in raw firepower (GAU-8 cannon), loitering time, and extreme survivability, often carrying heavier, precision-guided payloads for specific anti-armor missions, though both are rugged, effective close air support (CAS) platforms. The choice depends on the mission: speed for rapid response (Su-25) versus endurance and devastating gun-run capability (A-10).
 

What is the most feared US military unit?

There's no single "most feared" unit, but the Navy SEALs (especially SEAL Team Six/DEVGRU) and Delta Force (1st SFOD-D) are consistently cited due to their elite status, covert operations, counter-terrorism, and direct action capabilities, executing high-profile missions like bin Laden's raid; other highly regarded Tier 1 forces include the 24th Special Tactics Squadron and Intelligence Support Activity (ISA), known for extreme secrecy and unique skills.
 

Can the A-10 penetrate modern tanks?

'The super-short version is: The Gun can still put a hurting on a modern tank. While the Hawg has never wanted to try to perforate a treaded tin can from the front, those things are still reliably squishy when you come at it from the right angle.

Has a US F-16 ever been shot down?

On 2 June 1995, one F-16C was shot down by a Serb 2K12 Kub SAM (NATO reporting name: SA-6 "Gainful") while on patrol over Bosnia.

Does Russia have an equivalent to the 10 Warthog?

-Developed in the 1960s and operational since the early 1970s, the Su-25 was designed for close-support roles similar to the American A-10 Warthog but is smaller, lighter, and faster.

What do pilots think of the F-35?

Billie Flynn spent years as a pilot in the testing program for the F-35 stealth fighter jet. He said the aircraft was very easy to fly and compared operating it to playing a video game. The fighter jet, he said, is incredibly capable and changed the understanding of what's possible in aerial warfare.

Has an F-16 ever lost a dogfight?

Today, the F-16 is recognized as among the most dominant dogfighters of its generation, with many contending that it stands undefeated in air combat thanks to 76 victories and a single reported (but controversial) loss that is now widely attributed to friendly fire.

What's replacing the A-10 Warthog?

The A-10 Warthog doesn't have a single direct replacement; instead, the F-35 Lightning II is the intended long-term successor for Close Air Support (CAS), while other jets like the F-15EX Eagle II are being used for modernization, and some suggest new "clean sheet" designs or upgrading existing platforms like the F-16. The F-35 offers advanced stealth, sensors, and multi-role capability, but faces debate over truly matching the A-10's low-speed, heavily armored, loitering effectiveness, leading to continued A-10 service and paused retirements.
 

Why does the A-10 not eject shells?

The A-10's mission as a close air support aircraft requires stable flight characteristics, especially when flying low and slow to engage ground targets. Ejecting the heavy shell casings could alter the aircraft's weight distribution and center of gravity, which might affect handling.

Which aircraft has never lost a dogfight?

The Eagle took its maiden flight in July 1972, and entered service in 1976. It is among the most successful modern fighters, with 104 victories and no losses in aerial combat, with the majority of the kills by the Israeli Air Force.

Will F-47 ever be built?

Yes, the F-47 (Next Generation Air Dominance or NGAD) fighter is actively being built, with the U.S. Air Force announcing in late 2025 that the first prototype is in manufacturing, targeting a first flight in 2028, as part of a major program to replace the F-22 Raptor and ensure future air dominance. Boeing won the contract in March 2025, and the rapid production start indicates an aggressive timeline to bring this sixth-generation stealth fighter online.
 

Is the F-111 better than the A-10?

Neither the F-111 Aardvark nor the A-10 Thunderbolt II is definitively "better"; they are different tools for different jobs, but the F-111 often outshone the A-10 in specific long-range strike roles, like destroying tanks in Operation Desert Storm, while the A-10 excels at Close Air Support (CAS) with its cannon and loitering ability, remaining in service due to its irreplaceable support for ground troops. The F-111 was faster, longer-range, and better for deep-strike missions using laser-guided bombs, while the A-10 is purpose-built for enduring, low-altitude support with its powerful GAU-8 cannon and high survivability.
 

Can an A-10 fly with one wing?

Yes, the A-10 Thunderbolt II ("Warthog") is famously designed to withstand extreme damage and can fly with significant parts missing, including one engine, half a tail, one elevator, and about half of one wing, allowing it to return to base after heavy combat damage, though completely losing a whole wing would likely be catastrophic. Its incredibly tough, redundant design, titanium armor, and manual flight control backups enable it to survive damage that would bring down most other aircraft.