Unbiased AI-powered news
An amendment to the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act directs the Air Force to maintain A-10 training, testing, and sustainment through the planned retirement date. The measure also calls for a report on recent combat use and modernization options.
The War ZoneAn amendment added to the House Armed Services Committee’s version of the National Defense Authorization bill directs the Air Force to keep supporting A-10 training, testing, experimentation, maintenance, and sustainment efforts through the planned retirement date.
The same amendment requires preservation of lessons learned and operational expertise from A-10 missions to help shape future replacement systems, including retention of a formal training unit.
The amendment points to the A-10’s role in providing close air support during the recovery of two downed F-15E aircrew from Iran during Operation Epic Fury and its work securing the Strait of Hormuz. It also requests a report on the jet’s combat employment, recent operational relevance, lessons for future force design, and modernization options that could improve the return on continued sustainment.
The amendment lists recent modernization efforts including electronic warfare capabilities, decoy or stand-in effects delivery, digital communications, sensor integration, precision weapons integration, survivability improvements, open-systems architecture, and human-machine teaming applications.
It further calls for a competitive experimentation plan for autonomous and non-traditional capabilities relevant to the A-10 mission set, with participation from non-traditional defense firms. The plan must ensure operational experiments maintain meaningful human command and control by a qualified military aviator for mission-critical functions such as target engagement, weapons release, and mission abort decisions.
The amendment authorizes reconstitution of an A-10 demonstration team to support public outreach, recruiting, heritage, airshows, military ceremonies, and commemorative events tied to the 250th anniversary of the United States. It also directs the Secretary of Defense to evaluate potential transfer of retired A-10s to another military department.
Under the current schedule, the 357th Fighter Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base inactivates in Fiscal Year 2026 and the formal training pipeline ends. At Nellis Air Force Base the A-10 Weapons School transitions to other types and the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron stands down in the same year.
For Fiscal Years 2027 and 2028, Moody Air Force Base retains two active-duty A-10 squadrons while Whiteman Air Force Base keeps one Air Force Reserve squadron, bringing the total inventory to 63 aircraft with 42 in the active-duty force. In Fiscal Year 2029 Moody loses one squadron and the inventory drops to 42 aircraft.
Fiscal Year 2030 is planned for full divestment of the remaining fleet.
america.cgtn.comAbelardo de la Espriella defeated Iván Cepeda 49.7 percent to 48.7 percent in Colombia's June 21 runoff. The preliminary tally covered more than 99 percent of ballots and showed a margin under one point.
China placed 10 American companies on an export control list and barred 46 others from government procurement projects. The steps follow a Pentagon decision to add Chinese firms to a list of entities accused of supporting Beijing's military.
news.sky.comPresident Donald Trump stated Sunday that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will resign, citing failures on immigration and energy policy. The comments coincide with reports of internal Labour Party pressure and a potential leadership challenge.