The A-10 has a better track record in battle—in terms of saving US warfighters in tough ground combat conditions—since 1991 than any of America’s advanced warplanes have shown.
With the news that the United States Air Force plans to fully retire its remaining fleet of A-10 Thunderbolt II close air support (CAS) aircraft—affectionately nicknamed the “Warthog”—it is important to understand what US forces are going to lose. That’s because the A-10 is without a doubt the most beloved plane of America’s ground forces.
One aspect that makes the A-10 so incredible is its potent GAU-8/A Avenger Gatling gun. When the A-10s are all retired, no plane in America’s arsenal will have the kind of staying power in a CAS mission, with the kind of firepower, that the A-10 possesses.
The A-10 Is Literally a Flying Cannon
A seven-barrel, hydraulically driven Gatling gun, the GAU-8/A Avenger was developed by General Electric specifically for the A-10 Thunderbolt II. Introduced in the 1970s, the gun was engineered to destroy armored vehicles, tanks, and fortified positions, particularly in response to the Cold War threat posed by Soviet tank divisions. The Avenger’s specifications are staggering: it measures 19 feet long, weighs around 4,029 pounds when fully loaded (including ammunition), and accounts for nearly 16 percent of the A-10’s total weight.
The gun’s massive size and power required the A-10 airframe to be built around it. In a very literal sense, the A-10 is a flying cannon!
Utilizing multiple rotating barrels to achieve an exceptionally high rate of fire while mitigating barrel overheating, the GAU-8 eviscerates enemies on the ground below. Capable of firing up to 3,900 rounds per minute—or roughly 65 rounds per second—the gun typically delivers bursts of two to three seconds to conserve ammunition and maintain accuracy.
The Avenger’s primary ammunition is the 30mm PGU-14/B armor-piercing incendiary (API) round, which features a depleted uranium core for enhanced penetration against armored targets. These rounds can pierce the armor of main battle tanks (MBTs), making the GAU-8 a uniquely effective anti-tank weapon. Complementing the API rounds are High-Explosive Incendiary (HEI) rounds, giving the A-10 an incredible mission flexibility set.
The Avenger Cannon Was Built to Annihilate Enemy Tanks
The gun’s design incorporates several innovative features to manage its immense recoil, which generates approximately 10,000 pounds of force—equivalent to the thrust of one of the A-10’s jet engines. To prevent the recoil from stalling the aircraft or disrupting its flight path, the GAU-8 is mounted precisely along the A-10’s centerline, with the firing barrel aligned exactly with the aircraft’s longitudinal axis. Additionally, the A-10’s robust airframe and reinforced structure absorb and distribute the recoil forces, ensuring stability during firing.
A-10s have been popularized both in pop culture—in iconic films like the original Transformers film—as well as in the minds of America’s warfighters and enemies alike. For the former, of course, the A-10 is seen as a savior: loitering above a tense battlefield and dealing death from above. For the latter, naturally, the distinctive “BRRRT” sound produced by the A-10’s rapid-fire bursts is utterly terrifying.
In combat, the Warthog’s low-altitude flight profile allows pilots to aim the GAU-8 with remarkable accuracy, often engaging targets at ranges of 1,000 to 4,000 feet. The gun’s effectiveness was proven during the Gulf War in 1991, where A-10s equipped with the GAU-8 shredded an estimated 900 Iraqi tanks, 2,000 other military vehicles, and 1,200 artillery pieces. The Avenger’s ability to deliver concentrated, high-volume firepower in a short timeframe made it a critical asset in breaking armored formations and supporting coalition ground forces.
Accordingly, the Air Force’s decision to mothball its remaining A-10 fleet is one of the most short-sighted decisions imaginable. The Air Force wants to blow its elephantine budget on President Donald Trump’s fanciful F-47 sixth-generation warplane. But the A-10 has a better track record in battle—in terms of saving US warfighters in tough ground combat conditions—since 1991 than any of America’s advanced warplanes have shown.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert, a Senior National Security Editor at The National Interest as well as a contributor at Popular Mechanics, who consults regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including the Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, the Asia Times, and countless others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
