US House Committee Approves A-10 Extension to 2030, Plans AI Successor

The U.S. Air Force's plan to retire the nearly half-century-old A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft has been halted once again by Congress. The House of Representatives' Military Committee recently passed an amendment to the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, demanding that the Air Force maintain the A-10's combat readiness until 2030.

This legislative move also marks the first time a plan has been laid out for autonomous and AI-assisted systems to take over the aircraft's close air support missions. The amendment, passed with a 44-12 vote, requires the Air Force to sustain the necessary training, maintenance, and logistical support for the A-10 fleet until 2030. It also prohibits any adjustments to the A-10 pilot training program at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona until a cost-effectiveness analysis is presented.

The bill further directs the Air Force to test and evaluate autonomous, semi-autonomous, AI-assisted, and collaborative combat aircraft capabilities, encouraging participation from startups and non-traditional defense companies. While some A-10 airframes may serve as test platforms, the amendment emphasizes maintaining the "human-in-the-loop" principle, ensuring pilots retain control over critical decisions like weapon deployment and target engagement.

The U.S. Air Force has yet to identify a direct replacement for the A-10, though it is pursuing the "Collaborative Combat Aircraft" program as unmanned wingmen for manned aircraft like the F-35. The amendment also calls for an evaluation of transferring retired A-10s to the Army or Marine Corps and a comprehensive report on the A-10's combat performance since the Gulf War. Although the bill does not prevent the A-10's retirement in 2030, it compels the Air Force to present a clear succession plan to address the combat capability gap left by this legendary attack aircraft.

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The amendment also mandates the Air Force to plan for AI-driven systems to take over close air support missions, while ensuring human control over critical decisions.