http://www.chron.com/news/nation-wo...lans-to-keep-the-A-10-in-the-sky-10420629.php
The U.S. Air Force was supposed to start phasing out the A-10 Thunderbolt II in 2017, but it appears those plans have changed.
Air Force Material Command Chief Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski toldAviation Week that the plane will continue to be built for the foreseeable future.
"They have re-geared up, we've turned on the depot line, we're building it back up in capacity and supply chain," Pawlikowski said in an Aviation Week interview. "Our command, anyway, is approaching this as another airplane that we are sustaining indefinitely."
The A-10 was supposed to be retired for more F-35s. Aviation Week reports the A-10 has a "critical role in the campaign against Islamic State terrorists in Iraq and Syria," making it a popular model to continue producing.
TheGovernment Accountability Officein August said the Air Force hasn't proved that there's another plane available that's more cost effective than the A-10.
Until the Air Force is ordered to move on, it looks like the A-10 will continue to be used for American fights.
"My approach from a sustainment perspective is to approach this as if we're just going to continue to keep these airplanes operating," Pawlikowski told Aviation Week.
The U.S. Air Force was supposed to start phasing out the A-10 Thunderbolt II in 2017, but it appears those plans have changed.
Air Force Material Command Chief Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski toldAviation Week that the plane will continue to be built for the foreseeable future.
"They have re-geared up, we've turned on the depot line, we're building it back up in capacity and supply chain," Pawlikowski said in an Aviation Week interview. "Our command, anyway, is approaching this as another airplane that we are sustaining indefinitely."
The A-10 was supposed to be retired for more F-35s. Aviation Week reports the A-10 has a "critical role in the campaign against Islamic State terrorists in Iraq and Syria," making it a popular model to continue producing.
TheGovernment Accountability Officein August said the Air Force hasn't proved that there's another plane available that's more cost effective than the A-10.
Until the Air Force is ordered to move on, it looks like the A-10 will continue to be used for American fights.
"My approach from a sustainment perspective is to approach this as if we're just going to continue to keep these airplanes operating," Pawlikowski told Aviation Week.
