A-10 Warthog

The Air Force is looking to replace the A-10 Warthog and is reviewing the future of its close air-support aircraft.  The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II first flew in 1975 and is the only airplane in the Air Force specifically designed for close air support.

The A-10 is armed with a powerful 30 mm, seven-barrel Gatling gun, which can fire depleted uranium bullets at 3,900 rounds per minute and can carry up to 16,000 pounds of bombs and missiles.

The F-35 was supposed to assume the close air support role once the A-10 was retired but U.S. Air Force officials are now showing signs that they are rethinking that strategy.  Another possibility is for the Air Force to replace the A-10 with the Super Tucano, called the A-29 by the Air Force, made by Brazilian aviation firm Embraer.