Air Force’s ‘Warthog’ Targeted For Retirement
Air Force's 'Warthog' Targeted For Retirement by Larry Abramson, National Public Radio.
… the Air Force is facing some lean years ahead, and efforts to balance the budget now threaten to ground the 343 A-10s – and that has led to a backlash. Defenders of the plane say it can't be retired until the military has a replacement that is just as good at protecting ground troops…
The A-10 has a lot of support because it turned out to be well-adapted to new scenarios after the threat of Soviet tanks faded. For example, the A-10 can operate in austere environments – like the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan – because of its unique engine design…
… the Air Force is giving up on the plane before it has a replacement ready to help protect ground troops…
