U.S. House Panel Extends A-10 Warthog Service Life Through 2030
The U.S. House Armed Services Committee approved an amendment to the FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act, requiring the Air Force to maintain the A-10 Warthog’s training, depot maintenance, and spare parts through its planned 2030 retirement. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Abe Hamadeh, also directs the Air Force to develop autonomous and AI-enabled aircraft for close air support, while preserving the A-10’s combat expertise and oral histories. The bill does not block retirement but ensures readiness.
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House Panel Backs A-10 Warthog Through 2030, Eyes Autonomous Successors
The U.S. House Armed Services Committee approved provisions in the FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act to keep the A-10 Warthog combat-ready through its planned 2030 retirement. The measures, offered by Rep. Abe Hamadeh, require the Air Force to maintain training, depot maintenance, spare parts, and contractor support for the fleet. The bill blocks moving the A-10's formal training unit without a cost-benefit analysis and 90-day wait. A separate provision creates a program to capture A-10 oral histories and technical records. The package also directs the Air Force to develop a plan for autonomous, semi-autonomous, and AI-enabled aircraft capabilities tied to the A-10 mission, with humans remaining in the loop. Another amendment requires evaluating transferring retired A-10s to other services. The bill does not block the jet's retirement but preserves mission expertise and addresses readiness gaps.
Air Force TimesHouse Panel Backs A-10 Warthog Through 2030, Eyes Autonomous Successors
The House Armed Services Committee approved provisions in the FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act to keep the A-10 Warthog combat-ready through its planned 2030 retirement. The measures, offered by Rep. Abe Hamadeh, direct the Air Force to maintain training, depot maintenance, and spare parts for the fleet, and block moving the A-10's formal training unit without a cost-benefit analysis. A separate provision creates a program to capture A-10 oral histories and technical records. The package also directs the Air Force to develop a plan for autonomous, semi-autonomous, and AI-enabled aircraft to eventually take over the close air support mission, with humans remaining in the loop. Another amendment requires a report on the Warthog's combat record from Desert Storm through recent operations. The bill does not block the jet's retirement but preserves mission expertise. It now heads to the House floor.
Military TimesHouse Panel Backs A-10 Warthog Through 2030, Eyes Autonomous Successors
The U.S. House Armed Services Committee approved provisions in the FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act to keep the A-10 Warthog combat-ready through its planned 2030 retirement. Measures include maintaining training, depot maintenance, and spare parts, blocking the transfer of the formal training unit without a cost-benefit analysis, and preserving oral histories. A separate provision directs the Air Force to develop a plan for autonomous and AI-enabled aircraft to eventually take over the close air support mission, with humans remaining in the loop. The bill also requires a report on the A-10's combat record and evaluates transferring retired A-10s to other services. The Air Force has no direct replacement program, and the bill does not block the 2030 retirement.
Air Force TimesHouse Panel Backs A-10 Warthog Through 2030, Eyes Autonomous Successors
The U.S. House Armed Services Committee approved provisions in the FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act to keep the A-10 Warthog combat-ready through its planned 2030 retirement. The measures, introduced by Rep. Abe Hamadeh, require the Air Force to maintain training, depot maintenance, and spare parts for the fleet, and block moving the A-10 training unit without a cost-benefit analysis. A separate provision directs the Air Force to develop a plan for experimenting with autonomous, AI-enabled aircraft to eventually take over the A-10's close air support mission, with a requirement for meaningful human command and control. The bill also mandates a report on the A-10's combat record and a Pentagon evaluation of transferring retired A-10s to other services. The Air Force has no direct replacement program for the Warthog, and the bill does not block its retirement.
Air Force TimesCongress Extends A-10 Warthog Service Life Through New Legislative Amendment
The House Armed Services Committee has added an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that effectively extends the A-10 Warthog's service life beyond 2030. The amendment, sponsored by Representative Abe Hamadeh of Arizona, requires the Air Force to maintain A-10 training, testing, maintenance, and sustainment efforts until the planned retirement date. It also mandates preserving operational expertise and lessons learned from recent combat missions, including the aircraft's role in Operation Epic Fury and Strait of Hormuz operations. The Air Force had previously concluded A-10 depot-level maintenance in February 2026 and plans to shutter the A-10 Weapons School this year. The amendment specifically calls for maintaining the 357th Fighter Squadron's formal training unit, despite it graduating its last student pilots in April. Additionally, the legislation requests a report on the A-10's combat employment, modernization options including electronic warfare, decoy delivery, digital communications, sensor integration, precision weapons, survivability improvements, and human-machine teaming.
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