Every time U.S. Air Force attempts to retire legendary A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft, Congress saves them. This process continues since 1984, when A-16 was intended as replacement, and another attempt is being implemented right now.
In American parliament, bipartisan bill was registered under name BRRRRT — the sound produced by 30mm seven-barrel GAU-8 Avenger automatic gun with 3,900 round per minute fire rate, which is A-10's main armament. Its concise content and main aspects were published by Aviationist publication.
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If passed, Pentagon will be obligated to maintain in service minimum 126 A-10 attack aircraft starting October 2026. Bill also provides for prohibiting any measures that could negatively affect attack aircraft readiness, for example ceasing pilot training, reducing repair capabilities and so on, and also mandates restoring necessary capacities by 2033 fiscal year.
Defense Express recalls in February 2026, last planned A-10 capital overhaul was completed, while aircraft maintenance squadron, which was only one conducting such work, went for disbandment. In April 2026, last group of A-10 pilots was graduated.
Also draft law contains requirement for U.S. Air Force to preserve decommissioned attack aircraft in condition enabling their restoration if needed, and also prohibits removing main systems and components from them. In parallel, congressmen want to introduce moratorium on disposing already-decommissioned A-10s.
Such prohibition will continue until A-10 replacement is created. Replacement means aircraft capable of fully performing analogous close air support tasks, supporting combat search-and-rescue and evacuation operations, as well as performing forward air controller and reconnaissance-strike missions.
Expected timeline for such asset's appearance is 2033. Only after corresponding quantity of new combat-ready assets arrives will Pentagon receive right to begin retiring analogous A-10 quantity, as well as closing infrastructure facilities.
At the same time, bill contains no restrictions regarding specific aircraft type to replace A-10. But it mandates U.S. Air Force within 180 days to develop plan for competitive prototype experiments evaluating capabilities of autonomous, semi-autonomous drones, loyal wingmen and so on.
Also bill contains quite unexpected aspect — possibility of transferring surplus A-10 attack aircraft to foreign partners. But despite calls at one time to transfer these aircraft to Ukraine, publication notes this is more likely connected with idea of exporting part of A-10s to Jordan.
And also argued by desire to share burden during joint operations together with partners. Determining whether this makes sense should be done by U.S. Defense Department by January 2027.
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