USAF Begins Phased Retirement of A-10 Warthog Fleet, Tapping F-35 as Successor
The United States Air Force has officially commenced the retirement of its iconic A-10 Thunderbolt II "Warthog" fleet. The first aircraft has been transferred to the boneyard at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, marking the beginning of a plan to divest the entire fleet by 2029. For decades, the A-10 has been a legendary close air support platform, celebrated for its durability and powerful GAU-8 cannon. The USAF intends for the advanced F-35A Lightning II to assume the A-10's role. However, this transition has sparked considerable debate over whether the stealth-focused F-35 can effectively replicate the Warthog's specialized, rugged capabilities on the battlefield.
Official Source: https://simpleflying.com/usaf-retired-last-a-10-warthod-what-fills-gap/
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