A US Air Force spokeswoman just confirmed a huge win for Congress and the infantry who have come to know and love the A-10 Warthog,
telling Defense News that the beloved flying gun would not be retired.
telling Defense News that the beloved flying gun would not be retired.
Once facing retirement in favor of the world's most expensive weapons system, the F-35, the A-10 was placed on the chopping block time and time again, while Congress members like Rep. Matha McSally, a former A-10 pilot, and Sen. John McCain, a former Navy pilot, stood up for the Cold War-era tank killer.
At one point, airmen even came together to produce an excellent video on the A-10 community and its impact on morale and capability in the military.
At one point, the A-10 was slated to have a "fly-off" with the F-35 to see which platform could provide better close air support. Though the Air Force did not announce the winner of the contest, the latest move seems to indicate a satisfactory performance for the Warthog.
Along with the Warthog, the U-2 spy plane and the RQ-4 Global Hawk will remain funded, according to the fiscal year 2018 budget.
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