What will the replacement of A-10s by F-35s mean for the US Air Force?
A-10s fly in formation after deploying flares over Gila Bend, Arizona. (Photo: US Air Force)
The USAF plans to phase out its 162 in-operation A-10 Thunderbolt II Warthogs by the end of FY2026, replacing them with F-35As which will bring a leap in capabilities in terms of lethality, survivability and speed.
The US Air Force (USAF) intends to withdraw from operation this fiscal year the remaining 162 A-10 Thunderbolt II Warthog in its fleet. As part of the branch’s modernisation and divestment plans, the ground attack fighter will be substituted by the F‑35A Lightning II, five decades after the Warthog first entered service.
The replacement will bring a leap in capabilities for the USAF, with the branch noting that the new platform will “bring stealth, advanced sensors and greater survivability” compared to its predecessor.
The F-35A is a fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft fitted with an active electronically scanned array radar,
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
![FIA 2026: Honeywell Aerospace targets expansion following June spin-off]()
FIA 2026: Honeywell Aerospace targets expansion following June spin-off
Honeywell Aerospace charted its growth strategy as a standalone company, with CEO Jim Currier pointing to record defence budgets and a $19 billion backlog as drivers of expansion.
-
![US Marine Corps aims to make drones as commonplace as rifles on the battlefield]()
US Marine Corps aims to make drones as commonplace as rifles on the battlefield
The USMC is transforming drones into standard equipment through major funding increases, standardised training, new doctrine and rapid battlefield adaptation, with nearly $820 million requested for UAS programmes in FY2027.
-
![FIA 2026: Malloy eyes NATO expansion and Australia for T-150 as it scales up technology]()
FIA 2026: Malloy eyes NATO expansion and Australia for T-150 as it scales up technology
BAE Systems’ Malloy Aeronautics is seeking to expand the international customer base for its T-150 heavy-lift UAV, with NATO users beginning to adopt the platform and Australia identified as a key prospective market.
-
![FIA 2026: Tekever targets British Army’s Project Nyx with hydraulic-powered AR6 drone]()
FIA 2026: Tekever targets British Army’s Project Nyx with hydraulic-powered AR6 drone
As Tekever positions its newly revealed UK-sovereign, autonomous heavy-lift drone family for the British Army's Project Nyx, the company is also eyeing an international future for the capability.
-
![FIA 2026: Boeing pitches Ghost Bat as mature answer to growing CCA demand]()
FIA 2026: Boeing pitches Ghost Bat as mature answer to growing CCA demand
Boeing said demand for collaborative combat aircraft could outstrip what any single supplier can provide, as BAE Systems and Anduril unveiled new platforms at Farnborough International Airshow 2026.
