# The A-10 Thunderbolt/Warthog: Air Force: "We don't want it" Army: We'll take it **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 24, 2014, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483 "2014-03-24T23:01:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 21
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2024, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483/401 "2024-10-22T23:33:48Z")
With various adjustments (mainly to the gun and targeting systems), can the A-10 be used in an anti-drone role, hunting “kamikaze drones” like the [Shahed-136/Geran-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HESA_Shahed_136)? Would it be better at it than a fighter jet or helicopter gunship? Need answer fast. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2024, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483/402 "2024-10-23T00:14:32Z")
I’d suggest a helo gunship is the best choice. The _Shahad_ & similar are much slower than fast jets, a bunch slower than A-10s, and even slower than attack helos. But the helo doesn’t lose manueverability or range / endurance when flying about the same speed as the _Shahad_. Unlike the others. To effectively engage drones yo’d either need a datalink system or an onboard radar to find them, then you still need an onboard radar to effectively drive the gunsight. Prior to the advent of radar computing gunsights it was a lot of luck and guesswork to hit one maneuvering airplane with gunfire from another. Lots and lots of ineffectual “spray and pray” went on. The A-10 doesn’t really have the nose space or configuration for a forward-facing radar. The good news is at least right now the assumed target of _Shahad_s don’t really havve much in the way of defensive awareness or countermeasure maneuvering. Shooting and hitting a non-maneuvering straight and level target is a bunch simpler. Still and all, the GAU-8 and its expensive ammo is waaay overkill for a small soft target like a _Shahad_. Better to use cheaper 20mm or better yet 0.50cal or 12.7mm fire. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2024, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483/403 "2024-10-23T02:28:33Z")
I don’t think air-to-air is the best drone defense since it is very easy to swarm drones and overwhelm any manned aircraft defense. It seems the future of protection from drones is microwaves. Of course, one can assume drones can be hardened against such defenses but that makes them not cheap and thus fewer can be made. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/R97f6Qy-e-0/maxresdefault.jpg "Leonidas: The End of the Drone Warfare Revolution?") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R97f6Qy-e-0) ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2024, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483/404 "2024-10-23T02:32:09Z")
Directed energy weapons have been The Next Big Thing for 50 years now. They may in fact be about to come into their own. I remain cautiously skeptical near-term but optimistic long-term. They could be gamechangers. or they could be boondoggles. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2024, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483/405 "2024-10-23T03:13:46Z")
I wonder if something like a heavily armed V-280 Valor would be the best future replacement for the Warthog. It might not pack as much firepower, would have lesser range and would be more vulnerable to damage, but it would have the huge advantage of being able to airlift/medevac troops, take off and land VTOL, and also more accuracy since the pilot would not be limited to doing relatively fast passes over the ground but can instead loiter, hover, and do things slow. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2024, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483/406 "2024-10-23T04:02:38Z")
If the video is to be believed the US has several of these operating in war-zones now for testing. So, at the least, 50 years is now. They exist. They’ve made it through enough testing to get to the final line of testing in actual combat. Whether they will pass muster there I cannot say but, at the least, they seem real enough. If not this model then maybe something else. That does not mean the Warthog should or should not be retired since I doubt the Warthog would ever be considered a defense against little drones. Maybe big ones but probably not even those. Not sure an F35 would be either. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2025, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483/407 "2025-03-12T17:00:52Z")
The next best thing to having the plane itself? > **[A-10 Thunderbolt II Replica Flight Stick](https://www.aviationgifts.com/a-10-thunderbolt-ii-replica-flight-stick.html)** > > Replicated from the real-life A-10 Thunderbolt II flight stick, this 1:1 scale item features movable switches, working buttons, and functional trigger just like what the legendary pilots operated.  ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2026, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483/408 "2026-03-20T10:16:43Z")
Seems they found some use for the A-10: > **[A-10 Warthogs target Iranian fast-attack craft in Strait of Hormuz](https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2026/03/19/a-10-warthogs-target-iranian-fast-attack-craft-in-strait-of-hormuz/)** > > The A-10’s deployment in Operation Epic Fury comes as Congress has moved to protect it from Air Force divestment efforts. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2026, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483/409 "2026-03-20T11:11:29Z")
If I happened to be on a speedboat, and saw that unmistakable aircraft approaching, I’d be overboard and swimming for shore while trying not to splash too much well before the “BRRRRT” begins. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2026, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483/410 "2026-03-21T04:37:23Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Seems they found some use for the A-10… I’m guessing you meant to say “yet another handy” and not “some.” ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483/411 "2026-08-28T04:10:17Z")
Not exactly light entertainment, but still… > **[Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II:](https://militaryissue.com/fairchild-republic-a-10-thunderbolt-ii/)** > > During the Cold War, the Russians assembled an imposing fleet of modern and powerful tanks. As a response, the USAF needed a close air-support aircraft that was powerful enough to destroy these menacing tanks and tough enough to remain airborne... ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483/412 "2026-08-28T09:22:50Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > It’s illegal to shoot smugglers or pirates. They need arresting, not sinking. The A-10 can’t arrest anybody. > > Once we get that little obstacle out of the way it’d still be a crappy tool for the mission. Not enough range, no sensors to find targets, etc. Quote from October 2024. Quite prescient. ☹ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483.md?page=20)