Premature Retirement of Ultimate Aircraft

[Hans Tucker (Hans)]

With the tension build up in Ukraine and the media footage of Russian Tanks amassing on the border .. I have wondered why the US retired this beastie

https://youtu.be/JHum4v-0res

After over half a century I notice this big bad boy is still flying. US flew four into the UK recently.

https://youtu.be/d17KqyEtODs

[drylander (Peter)]

sometimes decisions like the warthog beggars believe. But then very few pollies or their children go to war.
Pete

[DarkArts]

The Warthog, while an excellent aircraft in its time, has limitations and is getting plain old - it's been in service almost 50 years, which is why the USAF wants to kill it. However, the US Congress keeps saying 'no'.

Unless there's more recent news I haven't seen, it's still in-service and going to receive upgrades soon:

https://www.popularmechanics.com/mil...-warthog-2040/

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/re...-flying-195207

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zon...-the-air-force

Keep in mind, though, that its anti-tank role has been largely surplanted by missiles and the army lately prefers precision fires rather than strafing runs. Still, it is a useful weapons platform and I guess its continued service comes down to economics more than anything else.

[Myrk511 (Kevin)]

The USAF is conflicted. They’ve never wanted the A-10, but they do not want to give up the fixed-wing Close Air Support mission to the Army.

[mura_gadi (Steve)]

For the Warthog fans...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_TaM9BcQEs

[Hans Tucker (Hans)]

Originally Posted by mura_gadi

For the Warthog fans...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_TaM9BcQEs

Well that was enjoyable Also good to hear that it will remain in service. I know of a certain country that could do with this lethal firepower