Tel Aviv: US A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft are actively supporting Operation Epic Fury against Iran-linked targets. They are not conducting deep strikes inside Iranian territory but operating from regional bases like Jordan’s Muwaffaq al-Salti Air Base.
The old A-10 ” Killing Machine” provides close air support, armed over watch, and loitering capability for hours over contested areas, enabled by in-flight refueling near Iran.
According to CENTCOM, these aircraft target fast-attack boats in the Strait of Hormuz, naval mines, shore-based missile sites, one-way attack drones, and Iranian proxy militias in Iraq.
The weak Iranian air defences allow slower, low-flying A-10s to join the fight safely.
US has in recent years made upgrades in the A-10 which include rockets against drones, enhanced networking, and AI for precision against mobile threats. Despite Air Force retirement plans for 2026, over 160 remain active, proving vital here over F-35s for certain roles.
The enormous 30mm GAU-8/A Avenger Gatling gun, which fires armour-piercing depleted uranium rounds, is the focal point of the A-10 Thunderbolt II (“Warthog”), which is lethal because of its specific design for close air support.
With a titanium cockpit tub, redundant flight systems, and an amazing loiter time to precisely destroy tanks and ground targets, it is armoured like a “flying tank” to withstand intense ground fire.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
