Pentagon extends A-10 Warthog service life to 2030
The Pentagon announced it will keep the A-10 Warthog close air support aircraft in service through 2030, extending its lifespan to over five decades. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said the decision “preserves combat power” while the defense industry ramps up production of new combat aircraft. The A-10 has served since 1976.
The Pentagon announced on Monday that it will extend the operational service life of the A-10 Warthog, a dedicated close air support aircraft, through the year 2030. The decision ensures the iconic warplane remains in the US arsenal for well over half a century. The A-10 has been in continuous service since 1976 and has seen combat in nearly every major American conflict over the past five decades. It was originally scheduled for retirement in 2029, but Monday’s announcement adds at least one more year to its service life.
Recent combat use
Warthogs were most recently deployed during efforts to retrieve two airmen after their F-15 fighter jet went down over Iran. One A-10 crashed into the Gulf off the Iranian coast on April 3 during that mission. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink wrote on X: “In consultation with @SecWar, we will extend the A-10 ‘Warthog’ platform to 2030. This preserves combat power as the Defense Industrial Base works to increase combat aircraft production.” He thanked President Trump for “unwavering support of our warfighters.”
Fleet size and cost
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth separately posted “Long live the Warthog” on X. According to the Air Force’s website, approximately 281 Warthogs remain in the US inventory, with each aircraft costing about $9.8 million to produce.
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