The Air Force has not yet chosen a single replacement for the A-10 Warthog

The U.S. Air Force has not announced a final decision on what will replace the A-10 Warthog, the twin-engine attack aircraft that has been in service since 1976. The Air Force has studied several options over the past decade, but budget constraints, competing priorities, and disagreement within military leadership have delayed any formal replacement program. Instead of one aircraft taking over all A-10 missions, the Air Force is likely to distribute those duties across multiple platforms.

The A-10 specializes in close air support—flying low and slow to protect ground troops, destroy tanks, and strike targets near friendly forces. Any replacement must handle the same dangerous work in contested airspace where enemy air defenses are present. That requirement narrows the field significantly, because most modern fighter jets are designed for speed and altitude, not the A-10's ability to loiter over a battlefield for hours.

Key Takeaways

  • The Air Force has not selected a single replacement aircraft; instead, multiple platforms may share A-10 duties depending on the mission and threat level.
  • The F-35 Lightning II is the leading candidate for some close air support missions, though it costs more per flight hour and lacks the A-10's durability in heavily defended areas.
  • The Air Force continues to operate A-10s because no replacement has proven cost-effective enough to retire the fleet entirely.
  • Future close air support may rely on a mix of crewed jets, unmanned aircraft, and armed helicopters rather than a single new platform.
  • Budget decisions and combat experience in recent conflicts have repeatedly delayed or canceled A-10 replacement programs.

The F-35 Lightning II as a partial replacement

The F-35 Lightning II is the Air Force's primary candidate to take on some A-10 missions, particularly in lower-threat environments where enemy air defenses are limited. The F-35 can carry precision-guided weapons, loiter longer than older fighter jets, and integrate with modern command and control systems. The Air Force has been transitioning some close air support responsibilities to F-35 squadrons since the mid-2010s.

However, the F-35 has significant drawbacks as an A-10 replacement. It costs roughly $30,000 to $35,000 per flight hour to operate, compared to the A-10's $16,000 to $18,000 per hour. The F-35 cannot carry the A-10's signature 30-millimeter cannon, which pilots and ground troops value for its ability to suppress enemy fire without the collateral damage risk of larger weapons. The F-35 also flies faster and higher than the A-10, making it harder to spot targets and support troops in close combat. In heavily defended airspace, the F-35's stealth design offers protection, but in many regional conflicts, that advantage does not justify the higher cost.

Why the Air Force has not retired the A-10 yet

The A-10 remains in service because no replacement has proven both affordable and effective enough to justify retiring the entire fleet. The Air Force has attempted to retire the A-10 multiple times since 2014, but Congress has blocked those efforts, citing pilot preference, ground troop feedback, and the lack of a proven alternative. Recent combat operations in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan demonstrated that the A-10's ability to loiter, survive damage, and deliver accurate fire in close quarters remains valuable.

Retiring the A-10 would free up budget for other programs, but the Air Force would have to buy additional F-35s or other aircraft to cover the same missions. The total cost of that transition—including new aircraft, training, and infrastructure—exceeds what Congress has been willing to spend. As a result, the A-10 fleet continues to receive maintenance and upgrades, and the Air Force operates roughly 280 A-10s across active duty, Air National Guard, and reserve units.

Other aircraft being considered for close air support

Beyond the F-35, the Air Force and other branches have explored several other platforms. The AC-130 gunship, operated by Air Force Special Operations Command, provides devastating firepower for close air support but is expensive, slow, and vulnerable to modern air defenses. The AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, flown by the Army, handles some close air support missions but operates at lower altitudes and shorter ranges than the A-10.

The Air Force has also invested in unmanned aircraft like the MQ-9 Reaper, which can loiter for extended periods and carry precision weapons. Unmanned systems offer lower operating costs and reduce pilot risk, but they require constant satellite or ground-based communication links and cannot react as quickly as a pilot in the cockpit. For missions requiring when ready response to ground troops in contact with enemy forces, crewed aircraft remain the standard.

The role of future technology and drone systems

Long-term, the Air Force is exploring whether a combination of crewed and unmanned aircraft could replace the A-10's role. A future close air support system might pair F-35s or other fighters with swarms of smaller unmanned aircraft, allowing one pilot to control multiple platforms and extend loiter time over a battlefield. The Air Force's Next Generation Air Dominance program and other advanced concepts are exploring these mixed-crewed and unmanned approaches.

These systems are still in development and testing phases. The Air Force has not committed to a timeline for deployment, and the technology remains expensive. Until unmanned systems prove reliable in contested airspace and can respond as quickly as a pilot in the cockpit, the A-10 will likely remain in service.

Congressional and military disagreement over replacement strategy

The debate over the A-10's replacement reflects deeper disagreement between the Air Force leadership, Congress, and ground commanders. Air Force leadership has prioritized high-end air-to-air combat and strategic bombing, viewing close air support as a secondary mission. Congress and Army leaders have pushed back, arguing that close air support is essential for ground operations and that the A-10 performs that mission better than alternatives.

This disagreement has stalled formal replacement programs. The Air Force cannot retire the A-10 without Congressional approval, and Congress has repeatedly blocked retirement proposals. As a result, the A-10 remains in the inventory while the Air Force slowly transitions some missions to the F-35 and other platforms. A formal replacement decision is unlikely until the Air Force and Congress reach agreement on what close air support should look like in future conflicts.

Timeline and current status

As of 2024, the Air Force operates the A-10 without a confirmed retirement date. The aircraft is expected to remain in service through at least the 2030s, with ongoing maintenance and upgrades extending its lifespan. The Air Force has not announced a specific year for full transition to replacement aircraft.

The F-35 continues to assume some A-10 missions, but at a slower pace than the Air Force originally planned. Unmanned systems are advancing but remain in testing and limited deployment. The most likely scenario is that the A-10 will be phased out gradually over the next 10 to 15 years, with its duties distributed among F-35s, unmanned aircraft, and other platforms depending on the mission and threat environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the A-10 be retired?

The Air Force has not announced a specific retirement date. Congress has blocked multiple retirement proposals, and the A-10 is expected to remain in service through at least the 2030s. Any retirement decision will require Congressional approval and a proven replacement strategy.

Can the F-35 do everything the A-10 does?

The F-35 can perform some A-10 missions, particularly in lower-threat environments, but it lacks the A-10's loiter time, durability, and 30-millimeter cannon. The F-35 also costs significantly more per flight hour, making it less cost-effective for routine close air support missions.

Why doesn't the Air Force just build a new A-10?

The A-10 design dates to the 1970s and would require extensive modernization to meet current standards. Building a new aircraft from scratch would cost more than transitioning missions to existing platforms like the F-35. The Air Force has chosen to extend the A-10's service life through upgrades rather than design a successor.

Will drones replace the A-10?

Unmanned aircraft like the MQ-9 Reaper are taking on some close air support missions, but they cannot yet fully replace the A-10. Drones require constant communication links and cannot respond as quickly as a pilot in the cockpit. A future mix of crewed and unmanned aircraft is more likely than drones alone.

What do ground troops think about losing the A-10?

Army and Marine leaders have consistently opposed A-10 retirement, citing pilot skill, loiter time, and the aircraft's ability to survive damage in close combat. Ground troops prefer the A-10 for close air support, which is one reason Congress has blocked Air Force retirement proposals.