The Air Force is moving toward the F-35 Lightning II and newer unmanned systems instead of the A-10
The A-10 Thunderbolt II — the heavily armored attack aircraft known for its distinctive nose gun — is being phased out in favor of the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet and a mix of unmanned aircraft and support systems. The Air Force has no single replacement because close air support (the job the A-10 does) is shifting toward a network of different platforms rather than one aircraft doing everything.
The transition is happening slowly. The Air Force still operates A-10s and plans to keep some in service through the 2030s, but new funding and pilot training are moving toward the F-35 and other systems. The shift reflects a change in how the military thinks about supporting ground troops — less reliance on a single tough aircraft and more on speed, sensors, and coordination between manned and unmanned systems.
Key Takeaways
- The F-35 Lightning II is the primary manned replacement, though it is faster and carries fewer guns than the A-10, relying instead on precision missiles and real-time data sharing.
- The Air Force is investing in unmanned systems like the MQ-9 Reaper and future autonomous aircraft to handle some missions the A-10 traditionally flew.
- The A-10 is not disappearing overnight — the Air Force still flies them and plans to operate some through the 2030s, but new pilot training and funding are focused elsewhere.
- Close air support is becoming a team effort involving fighters, drones, helicopters, and ground-based systems working together rather than one aircraft doing the job alone.
Why the A-10 is being replaced
The A-10 was designed in the 1970s for a specific threat: Soviet tanks rolling across Europe. It is slow, heavily armored, and built around a 30mm cannon that can shred armor. That design made sense for that era, but modern conflicts look different. Enemies now operate from cities, use air defenses that can hit slow-moving aircraft, and require precision strikes rather than volume of fire.
The F-35 is faster, harder to detect, and can carry precision-guided weapons. It can also share real-time targeting data with other aircraft, ground units, and command centers — something the A-10 cannot do as effectively. The trade-off is that the F-35 carries fewer guns and less armor, but the Air Force argues that speed and precision matter more in modern warfare than durability and raw firepower.
Cost also plays a role. Operating and maintaining the A-10 fleet costs money that the Air Force wants to redirect toward newer systems. The A-10 requires specialized parts, training, and maintenance that become harder to sustain as the fleet ages.
The F-35 as the primary manned replacement
The F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation fighter jet built by Lockheed Martin. It comes in three versions: the F-35A for the Air Force, the F-35B for the Marines (with vertical takeoff), and the F-35C for the Navy (carrier-based). The Air Force is using the F-35A to take over many of the close air support missions the A-10 flew.
The F-35 is faster than the A-10 — it can cruise at supersonic speeds — and it is harder for enemies to detect because of its shape and radar-absorbing materials. It carries a 25mm cannon and can mount missiles, bombs, and other weapons on external pylons. More importantly, it has advanced sensors and can send targeting information to other aircraft and ground units in real time, turning it into a node in a larger network rather than a standalone platform.
The downside for close air support is that the F-35 is not as tough as the A-10. It cannot absorb as much damage, and it carries less ammunition. Pilots and commanders have debated whether the F-35 is the right tool for protecting ground troops in heavy combat, but the Air Force has committed to the transition and is training pilots accordingly.
Unmanned aircraft filling the gap
The Air Force is also investing in unmanned systems to handle some close air support missions. The MQ-9 Reaper, a large drone built by General Atomics, can loiter over an area for hours, carry missiles and bombs, and relay video to ground commanders. It is slower than the A-10 but can stay on station longer and does not risk a pilot.
Future unmanned systems are in development. The Air Force is working on autonomous aircraft that can operate with less human control and coordinate with manned fighters. These systems are not yet operational in large numbers, but they represent where the Air Force is investing for the long term.
Unmanned systems have limits. They depend on satellite or radio links that can be jammed or disrupted. They cannot make split-second decisions the way a pilot can. But they can be cheaper to operate and do not put a pilot at risk, which appeals to military planners.
Helicopters and other support aircraft
The Air Force also relies on attack helicopters like the AH-64 Apache, which the Army operates, to provide close air support. Helicopters are slower and more vulnerable than jets, but they can hover, operate from forward bases, and work closely with ground units. The Army has no plans to retire the Apache, and it remains a key part of the close air support picture.
The Air Force also uses the AC-130 gunship — a heavily armed transport plane that can circle over a target and deliver sustained fire. AC-130s are specialized and expensive, so they are used for specific missions rather than routine close air support.
The timeline for the A-10 transition
The Air Force announced plans to retire the A-10 in 2014, but the timeline has slipped repeatedly due to budget constraints and political pressure from Congress. As of now, the Air Force still operates A-10s and plans to keep some squadrons active through the 2030s.
The transition is happening gradually. The Air Force is not building new A-10s, and pilot training is shifting toward the F-35. Older A-10s are being retired or transferred to the Air National Guard, which operates them with less intensity. Eventually, as F-35 production ramps up and pilots gain experience, the A-10 fleet will shrink further.
The exact retirement date depends on budget decisions, political support, and how well the F-35 performs in the close air support role. Some A-10s may remain in service longer than the Air Force currently plans if the F-35 faces unexpected challenges or if Congress continues to fund the A-10 program.
How close air support is changing
The shift away from the A-10 reflects a broader change in military strategy. Instead of one aircraft doing everything, the Air Force is moving toward a system where multiple platforms — fighters, drones, helicopters, and ground-based air defense — work together and share information in real time.
This approach is called network-centric warfare. A ground commander can see data from multiple sensors, talk to pilots in the air, and coordinate strikes across different platforms. The F-35 is designed to be part of this network, collecting and sharing information as much as delivering weapons.
The trade-off is complexity. A network-centric approach requires more training, better communication systems, and coordination between different branches of the military. It also depends on technology working correctly — if satellites go down or radio links are jammed, the system becomes less effective. The A-10, by contrast, is simple: a pilot sees a target and shoots it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the A-10 actually being retired?
The A-10 is being phased out, but the process is slow. The Air Force still flies them and plans to keep some in service through the 2030s. New funding and pilot training are moving toward the F-35 and other systems, but the A-10 fleet is not disappearing tomorrow.
Can the F-35 do everything the A-10 does?
The F-35 is faster and more connected, but it carries less ammunition and is less armored. The Air Force believes the F-35's speed, sensors, and precision weapons make up for these differences, but some military experts argue the A-10 is still better for certain close air support missions.
Why not just keep the A-10 if it works?
The A-10 is aging, expensive to maintain, and designed for a Cold War threat that no longer exists. The Air Force wants to invest in newer systems that can handle modern conflicts. Budget constraints also mean the Air Force cannot afford to keep every platform indefinitely.
What happens to A-10 pilots when the aircraft is retired?
A-10 pilots are being retrained to fly the F-35 or other aircraft. The Air Force has a pilot training pipeline that moves experienced pilots from one platform to another. Some pilots may also transition to unmanned systems or other roles.
Will drones completely replace manned aircraft for close air support?
Not in the near term. Drones have limits — they depend on communication links and cannot make decisions as quickly as a pilot. The Air Force plans to use a mix of manned fighters, drones, and helicopters working together rather than replacing pilots entirely.