The post linked below includes much information about these amazing weapons, and a 4 min 51 sec bit of video warplane-porn as well. Big fun if you're in the mood. Horrifying if you aren't.
https://x.com/JinWooIQ/status/2032505737474425327?s=20
Yes, the A10s HAVE BEEN deployed in Iran.
They were integrated into the first 48 hours of strikes, conducting close air support, armed overwatch, and precision attacks on dispersed and mobile targets.
The A10 Warthog is my absolute favorite airplane. Worth looking into because they're very uniquely kickass
This.
The thing is the honey badger of the skies. It's a gun with a plane wrapped around it that will fly missing most of a wing and half a tail section. Full of holes and still flying and still shooting.
From the tweet:
True. But the BRRRT is one hell of a morale boost for the troops on the ground (USA and allies) and pure terror for the bad guys. (Same goes for the B-52s and their carpet-bombing).
Sad part is, the Army and Marines have to keep fighting USAF attempts to end the program. I was Air Force. That plane needs to exist as long - if not longer - than the B-52s. Sure, the bombers do the heavy work by taking out massive targets, but the A-10 takes out the tanks, armored vehicles, and many other targets AND protects our ground troops better than anything else the USAF tries to use.
Any USAF Brass that is trying to kill the A-10 program needs to be investigated for getting paid by the MIC to bring in much more expensive (and less effective) weapons systems like the F-35A Lightning II, upgraded F-16s, and F-15EXs.
Note - here is the current status of the A-10 from Grok:
Current Status (as of March 2026)
Congress has repeatedly pushed back on full retirement via the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The FY2026 NDAA (passed late 2025) blocks retiring all 162 in one go:
Limits FY2026 divestments to ~59 A-10s.
Requires keeping at least 103 total (93 primary mission aircraft) through Sept. 30, 2026.
Mandates a detailed briefing to Congress by March 31, 2026, on the 2027–2029 transition plan (including how units will shift to replacements and maintain CAS).
The Air Force is still moving forward with partial retirements and transitions (e.g., some bases already swapping to F-35/F-16/F-15EX), but full phase-out is delayed while they prove other aircraft can fully cover the A-10's CAS mission. The debate continues—Congress wants to ensure ground troops keep that proven low-altitude firepower option.
In short, the main plane the government (Air Force) is pushing as the A-10's successor is the F-35A, backed by upgraded F-16s and F-15EXs in targeted spots. Retirement has been slowed by Congress, so the A-10 will fly a bit longer while the transition ramps up.
I don't know shit...
But I know enough to know no F jet can replace the performance of a warthog at low altitude...
Some people think Apaches or Blackhawks can replace it. I don't believe that. They have to fly much lower, but the most important reason they can't do that job is they don't have a giant titanium bathtub underneath protecting the crew. They also don't tend to be able to keep going once they are hit a few times. The A-10 can. Just ask "Killer Chick".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtUN2lGtAKw
"From a place you will not see, comes a sound you will not hear."
100%. I can't believe they are even considering retiring it, certainly not with an F-35. Yikes.
That's the "fighter jocks" who want the A-10 gone...so they can have more expensive "toys"... When those A-10s went out you could always tell when they came back that they earned their stripes for the day!!!!!!
Also, the Marines/Army Guys loved the CAS functionality due to clearing the area of the "bad hombres"!!!!!! Saved a lot of lives!!!!
NOTE: RETIRED Air Force
That's messed up. Sounds like the Army should buy them if the Air Force ends its support.
Question: if it's so awesome, why haven't any other countries (not counting Ukraine, because they want everything) asked to buy some? Seems like a perfect fit for Israel or maybe even Taiwan. Grok says it's high maintenance, and that the F planes are more versatile. I think int'l interest would be a good and true indicator of the plane's value, no?
They don't make them anymore. And you can't make them again for small orders.
We never offered it to anyone else - kinda like Tomahawks. Most countries wouldn't need it because they tend to either oppose us, or they mooch off of us for their defense. Take Denmark for example. Do you see them ever getting into a ground war where they would use the planes to protect their ground troops?
We may start transferring some of them if the dumb-asses in CONgress allow the program to close. Jordan wants some. Ukraine wants some (we declined).
Those countries want fighters that look cool. Some might even want bombers. Mostly they want to spend their money on other stuff. Not NATO, not US. Why should they, if we are stupid enough to do it ourselves for free.