The Gun That Won't Go Away: How the A-10 Unexpectedly Became the Workhorse of the War Against Iran
When the U.S. launched Operation Epic Fury, it seemed as though it would be a new generation of warfare—F-35s, precision strikes, and networked technologies.
But after a few weeks, it became clear that one of the main protagonists of this campaign was an airplane that should have already been retired.
A-10 Warthog
And he’s acting… pretty strangely.
Strange attacks that haven’t happened before
One of the most unusual episodes involved the A-10’s very long cannon runs in Iraq.
Videos and reports show that the aircraft are not performing short “hit-and-run” sorties, but rather prolonged passes during which the GAU-8 cannon is actively engaged.
To put it simply: the classic A-10 attack pattern consists of a rapid approach, a short burst of fire, and a retreat.
But now things look different.
The plane literally “hovers” over the target longer than usual.
And that’s no coincidence.
Why Do We Need the A-10 Again?
The paradox is that the missions of this war are ideally suited to the A-10.
It was created as:
- close-support aircraft
- “hunter” of ground targets
- a platform for prolonged presence over the battlefield
And that’s important.
Because in *Epic Rage*, the U.S. isn’t fighting an army in the traditional sense, but rather:
- mobile teams
- drones
- light equipment
- positions in difficult terrain
But goals like these don’t require speed.
And time to work on the goal.
Dozens of “wart-eaters” are on their way
And this is where things really get interesting.
Amid the ongoing operations, there are signs that dozens of A-10s may be deployed to the region.
This is no longer “occasional use.”
This is an extension.
At the same time, the possibility of a ground operation is being discussed.
The connection here is obvious:
- First, the air force “clears out”
- Then forces appear on the ground
- The A-10 is becoming a key support asset
The plane they were planning to retire
The irony of the situation is that they’ve been trying to retire the A-10 for several years now.
Main complaints:
- vulnerability to modern air defense systems
- low speed
- “outdated concept”
And indeed, it appears vulnerable when facing a full-fledged army with a layered air defense system.
But in the current war, this is no longer critical.
Because the enemy is different.
Why has the cannon become important again?
The A-10’s main weapon isn’t missiles.
This is a 30-mm GAU-8 cannon.
And it is precisely this that is now coming to the forefront.
Why?
Because:
- an easy target → it’s not worth wasting expensive missiles on
- mass targets → high rate of fire is needed
- moving targets → constant pressure is required
A gun solves all of that at once.
In fact, this is a return to the old way of thinking:
Sometimes it’s easier to “lay down a barrage of bullets” than to launch a high-precision missile.
The War That Changed Priorities
When you put it all together, an interesting picture emerges.
On the one hand:
- F-35
- high-precision strikes
- expensive systems
On the other hand:
- Ten-A
- rifle
- prolonged presence over the target
And it is precisely the second option that is increasingly in demand.
The Final
The story of the A-10 in *Epic Fury* isn’t just about one plane.
This is about the return of the old logic of war.
When:
It’s not technology that solves everything,
but rather the right fit between the task and the tool.
The A-10 was supposed to leave.
But instead, it found itself at the center of the conflict once again.
And, by all accounts, he has no plans to leave just yet.
по материалам : https://www.twz.com/air/a-10-warthogs-are-doing-bizarrely-long-strafing-runs-in-iraq
https://www.twz.com/news-features/dozens-of-a-10-warthogs-appear-poised-to-join-epic-fury
