US Lawmakers Introduce "BRRRRT Act" to Keep A-10 Warthog Aircraft Flying Past 2033

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has introduced legislation aimed at halting the planned retirement of the iconic A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft, affectionately known as the "Warthog." The "BRRRRT Act," named after the distinctive sound of the A-10's GAU-8 Avenger cannon, seeks to keep at least 126 of the aircraft operational through fiscal year 2033.

The bill, co-led by Republican Representative Abe Hamadeh and Democratic Representative Don Davis, addresses concerns that the U.S. Air Force's current plans to phase out the A-10 may leave a gap in close air support capabilities. The Air Force has been progressively reducing the A-10 fleet and dismantling associated maintenance and training infrastructure.

If passed, the "BRRRRT Act" would compel the Air Force to develop a plan within 90 days to reinstate full maintenance, logistics support, flight testing, and pilot training for the A-10. This includes potentially reactivating retired A-10s stored at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona if the active fleet falls below the mandated 126 aircraft.

The legislation also imposes restrictions on future A-10 retirements, requiring the Air Force to demonstrate that new systems possess equivalent close air support capabilities before further reductions can be made. The bill also calls for research into autonomous drones and "loyal wingman" systems as potential future replacements, acknowledging the A-10's enduring effectiveness in its specialized role.

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The BRRRRT Act requires the Air Force to maintain at least 126 A-10s and submit a plan within 90 days of the bill's enactment to restore maintenance, logistics support, flight testing, and pilot training capabilities for the A-10.