The A-10 Warthog is 50 years old. Why is it still serving? 

It’s actually touching how much the troops on the ground love the Warthog.

There is a saying i heard from several retired marines, that during the period of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, a A-10 pilot could walk into any Marine bar and never need to pay for a drink because of all the marines whose lives were saved by A-10's

I was an Air Traffic Controller for the Army in 1983, when a flight of 4 A-10s came in for a demonstration flight w/ some AH-1s and you would have thought the A-10s were some secret weapon, the way every person at the airfield came out to the tarmac to gawk at those extremely unique aircraft. The attack demo the next day was pretty impressive w/ all hell breaking loose down range from that awesome sounding canon and you could see the aircraft slow as it fired. I got goose bumps during that demo.

A-10 saved my tail a few times in Ramadi during the invasion of Iraq. I’ll always have a soft spot in my heart for it and the sound of that gun!

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. IMO this is one gorgeous aircraft.

That plane doesn’t have a gun. The gun has a plane

As a m1 tanker in West Germany in the mid 1980s, my brothers and I were always happy to know and see a pair of A10s flying over head....

As a U.S. Army Aviator flying an Aero Scout OH-58 Kiowa in West Germany 🇩🇪 in the early 1980’s, I was able to direct fire and close air support of the U.S.A.F A-10. In concert with ground artillery, and AH-1 Cobra 🐍 helicopters 🚁. I was able, in a training environment, to direct constant fire to a tank column. These aircraft were instrumental in reducing any threat to ground forces and it was a great experience to work with them, including their FAC ( Forward Air Controller).

The A-10 legend came from its use during the war on terror in the Middle East, where MANPADS were few and far between. The SU-25 Frogfoot is the Russian counterpart to the A-10 and has the same built-in survivability. Considering how the SU-25 Frogfoot is getting pounded in Ukrain, I have doubts about how well these would do against a near-peer adversary with plentiful MANPADS.

I have one personal experience of the A10, when early one British summer morning in the early '90's', I was driving up the M1 near Leicester and heading north, when I heard a very strange sound to my ears. That turned out to be two 'A10's at low altitude and I guess using the traffic to practice on (without discharging/releasing any ammunition!), I thanked everyone I could think of that they were 'friendly forces'.

I was assinged to the 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Flying Tigers, England AFB, Alexandria, Louisiana as an AMMO troop (461 Munitions Systems Specialist) for the second time in 1990. We deployed with the A-10A to King Fahd International Airport for the first Gulf War, known as Operation Desert Desert Storm. The A-10 performed spectacularly during the war. Before the war, there was talk about the USAF phasing out the A-10. They decided to keep it in Operation after Desert Storm..The only thing that can replace the A-10 is an A-10. I am glad to see they are still flying.

A-10 saved a lot of lives in Afghanistan. Mine included. Amazing low level ability to make some one have a bad day.

It’s situational awareness In it’s operational days which meant it’s pilot used binoculars to find enemy tanks, low gun accuracy and highest friendly fire rate should be noted

What an inspiring video. I grew up in the centre of the United States Air Force bases in eastern England. We were literally surrounded by runways and planes. There was a lot of speculation that the Gulf war was about to get hot back then. For the residents of sleepy Suffolk villages knew something the media didn’t; it was already hot. An A10 in never before seen desert camouflage paint flew overhead. It had so much live ordinance under the wings you struggled to see any wing.

The A-10 was also used in Search & Rescue missions in both Gulf Wars to provide Suppression of Enemy Forces who were also looking for the air crew. More than one pilot/aircrew member said that they thought they were going to be shot and killed by Iraqi forces, even if they surrendered, with no way out, until they heard a very distinct noise (the A-10's engine).... followed by another distinct noise (the A-10's cannon)

There are quite a few beneficial reasons why the A-10 Warthog is so beloved by the masses. However only one really takes the cake for the primary reason behind it’s popularity… the sweet melody of the Avenger going BRRRRRRTTT when bringing judgment down upon its enemies

When I was a Infantry Jäger in the German Bundeswehr in 84/85, we trained with US-American A-10s. They would attack us again and again, almost inaudible until right over you. I love this aircraft, because in a war against Russia they would have been our own CAS.

In early 80s I was on the steep side of a Welsh mountain on a forestry track, in my Range Rover. I heard a strange noise and turned to look down the valley too see two of these fantastic aircraft very close and pointing straight at me. It was obvious they where using me as a practise target. At the last second they both flipped sideways and dissappeared down the side of the hill. Awesome.

Love Emily's enthusiasm while presenting these videos.

Spitfires are iconic, Tomcats are cool, stealths are sleek. But none look as downright badass as a Warthog. The best looking plane ever made.

My dad flew this gun with wings for 30 of those 50 years, Desert Storm being amongst them. So they definitely have a special place for me. Getting to sit up with my dad, who I didn’t get to see very much, in its very tiny cockpit in the early ‘90s while he taxied at an air show with thousands watching us is one of my favorite childhood memories. As to the question posed in this video, I believe one of the biggest reasons is that no other plane or platform for that matter, exerts the sheer joy or the raw fear that the Hog does. The morale of both friend and foe is a critical component of war and the A-10 is a master of both ends of that spectrum; It’s presents on the battlefield is simply unrivaled and it makes boots on the ground either jump for joy or shit a brick. That is why. Fun side note on the business end of my dads gau-8 Avenger is the Peace sign in the center of the barrel and around it reads _”Peace through Superior Firepower”_ you cannot get a higher level of badassery than that. Love this ol’ hog. May she forever be upgraded and never put out to pasture.

They used to train around a village I lived in in U.K. I grew up on RAF bases and can tell you that they flew below regulation height (even around the church steeple) and used to herd cows across the fields, so they were not much loved around there.

"popular" implies that it is used often, which it is not. "famous" would be a better way to describe it

"Why this 50 year old aircraft is still so popular" - because it's never been tested in an environment where its inherent weaknesses can be exploited.

BTW, the A-10s with the Shark Teeth painted on belonged the 25th Fighter Group based at Moody AFB in Georgia. This Fighter Group is the inheritor and custodian of the nickname and traditions of the old American Volunteer Group, the original Flying Tigers.

Kim Campbell's jet showed every sign of an encounter with a ZPU-4. Even unguided stuff can get you if there's enough of it. Well handled and a well deserved DFC!

While I watched about 7 videos about A10 and I know it isn't as good as hype makes it to be. There's no denying that morale effect it's *BRRRRRRRRRRRTTT* has on both sides is intense.

So unbeatable it scored the lowest ground kills in the Gulf War with the highest loss rate, and so reliable and affordable it's just been replaced by a crop duster.

Have you seen the videos from the RU-vidr LazerPig all about the A10? Once I watched those, it seems like all these other A10 videos don't say much, apart from the history of it.

Born and raised in Felixstowe, Suffolk, England, (Not far from USAF Bentwaters) I regularly saw A10's flying around the coast while I was on the beach fishing. I love 'em!

Had an internship at the museum that now sits where the p47 and a10 where built.

I really like: -The name of this museum, -the A10, -the quality of these video's. Thank you!

The A-10 is still popular because, well, look at it. It's totally badass. Outdated, but so is the Spitfire and we still love them too.

March 1977 This A-10 is an early production aircraft built in 1977. It served with the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, until 1982 and then with the 45th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Grissom AFB, Indiana until 1992. It spent its last two years as a battle damage repair training aircraft

Glad to hear the proper definition of the term 'close air support' at 2:18, but then it also goes against the title of the video because the F-16 provided far better CAS in both Gulf Wars than the A-10 did - destroying more vehicles and with a much higher survivability rate. People often misunderstand that CAS means 'being close to the floor' or 'being close to the danger' which, of course, is totally incorrect. For this reason, the only real benefit of the A-10 is the price of it (in terms of cost to fly) and its survivability against small arms - the second of which is only relevant to insurgent combat like Afghanistan.

I'm sure there is a way to find all the pilots that predominately flew THAT A-10, and get thier expressions of knowing you have it, and hear thier stories.

Also for "friendly fire"

Saw this plane in person at Duxford. My favourite military plane. Have a toy model of it since I was 8 years old.

As with the Harrier, supersonic speed isn't always the best option. A great plane, and an icon too.

When I was a tech at Kaiser Electronics in 1979 and 1980 testing new and repaired Projection Units (= HUD), the explanation for the nickname "Warthog" was that it referred to the rivets holding its "skin" to the frame, which were not flush with the surface of the skin. Republic Aviation, producer of the P-47 Thunderbolt, was acquired by Fairchild in 1965, hence "Thunderbolt II".

No. 1 for Close Air Support No. 1 for friendly fire incidents.

I respect the A-10, however it is horrifically overrated. Lazerpig does a brilliant explanation on why it is.

Some say the aircraft *_"lacks aesthetic appeal"?!_* *THE A-10 IS BEAUTIFUL!!!!*

The old pig(RAAF) F-111 took out more tanks 👍

This was a great video, nice mix of history, nerdy bits, action and people, and the presenter is a pleasure to listen to

Fulda Gap is the reason for the A-10. It's endured because the Infantry LOVES it overhead, and it scares the HELL out of the enemy. SSG. U.S. Army (Medically Retired) Infantry / Sniper / SOF Intel (SOT-A), multiple tours

I have no idea why this plane is still in service. Official reports pointed out that the cannon's performance is atrocious, with any impact of a bullet within 12 meters of the target being designated as an "accurate" shot without it actually having to hit the target, its complete inability to participate in symmetrical warfare, poor ability to participate in asymmetrical warfare, its inability to take out any tanks with its cannon (it was proven that it could only take out permanently 1 in 10 2nd generation tanks it shot at if it would be able to do it fully undisturbed, which is an incredibly unrealistic scenario because no army in the world has 2nd gen tanks anymore) lack of any fof systems in the first decades of its service causing hundreds of friendly fire casualties (the a10 on its own has caused more friendly fire casualties than all friendly fire casualties of all other aircraft in usaf history combined, truly horrific), and structural weakness caused by shooting the cannon. An absolute atrocious garbage bin of an aircraft only worthy of a black page in the book of air force history, not a legendary status. If you like the a10 because big gun go brrr, you are a brainless reformer and you should be ashamed of your train of thought.

As a veteran NCD-er I beg you to let this 60 year old plane that has been the poster boy of the reformer movement to stop being over hyped

If it was up to the USAF, it'd have been retired to the bone yard. No glory for the pilots like a fighter jet.

Absolutely stunning aircraft

The F-111 destroyed more armoured vehicles during Desert Storm. Given that the A-10 is known as the "Tank Buster" it is clear that the A-10 has been beat in CAS. Also ive seen mentions of the Su 25 the soviet equivilent to a slow CAS plane getting easily killed in Ukraine due to the mass pressence of AA and Manpads. Given the nature of the A-10 and its slow speeds and needing to do shallow dives to effectivly use its main cannon it seams that a fast low flying jet like the F-111 would be more suited, it was designed to penitrate Soviet AA to deliver nuclear strikes. From what i have heard pilots of the F-111 only did one pass on their targets and had mottos/sayings for this, i dont quite recall what they were but it was something similar to "turn and burn"

i think this is actually a spectacularly beautiful aircraft.

Very well presented. My assumption re: the 'Warthog' name is that with the gun, the snout of this plane really digs into the dirt - literally and figuratively - of the task.

A-10s are over 50 years old. B-52s are over 70. They just don't make them like they used too.

Amazing aircraft. I first saw one in the mid 80's at an RAF event. Two aircraft were hedge hoping towards us. Awesome.

Durability/survivability combined with effective function will never go out of style.

The A-10 Served where there was minimal threat to them, despite the small (ish) infrared signature, it has a big radar signature, it's relatively big and slow. these factors mean it would be absolute toast in a full-scale war with any prepared nation. furthermore, modern electronic systems in the A-10 have removed a portion of it's redundancy. The only good reason why A-10s should be used is against ground targets once air superiority has been gained and the anti-aircraft threat has been neutralised by newer, better aircraft such as F-35s.

Emily you are a treasure keeping history alive thank you God Bless

I honestly never met a single groundpounder who LOVED the A-10. Respected, yes, but this aircraft is responsible for a significant percentage of Blue-on-Blue kills. It was not designed for ground attack or close support; it was designed to tear apart lines of tanks coming through the Fulda gap in the inevitable Russian attack. It very simply has NO advanced sensors or optics; meaning the pilot is flying in mainly working on the word of the men on the ground, who might be under a bit of stress. Many A-10 pilots actually carry a pair of binoculars in the cockpit, the only way to actually look at the situation from any altitude. Number two is that cannon. It's accuracy is measured in 12-meter increments; meaning that anything that deviates that much in any direction is "on target." That's the length of a bus. Despite being literally the spine of the aircraft, the insane power of this gun makes it a spray and pray weapon; not a precise scalpel. It's missile systems typically are a far better choice. But big gun go BRRRTTTTTT and Pierre Sprey designed it personally (He Did NOT.) So it continues to have friends in the military.

The A-10 is useful against a low-tech enemy that is far away from civilians and friendlies (the shots often land dozens of meters from the target). However, it obviously can't stand up to a fighter jet or 21st century SAMs.

In the early days it was described as "the only aircraft that gets bird-strikes from behind" and I distinctly remember a cartoon (I think it was by the late, great Chris Wren) of an A-10 having all it's wing pylons loaded with everything, including the kitchen sink, and having a bird strike a fin from behind. I have the cartoon, published in Air International, but I will have to dive into my archives. If anyone else remembers / has the cartoon, please post.

Shame it's not actually all that good huh?

It's still serving after 50 years because it's a terrifying beast.

The BRRRRT is a morale boost that's why

A-10 warthog really is legendary fighter plane. It well known as flying tank in the air.

I used to watch the A-10 flyers practicing over the Battle Creek, Michigan airfield. Swear to God, they could maneuver like a falling oak leaf. Zip, flutter, dart.

The REAL problem is that unlike in the past, we now have things like Javelins (anti-tank, anti-bunker etc.) and Switchblades (a small drone that can then kamikaze-attack a target) for ground troops to take out the kind of targets that needed close air support in the 1970s-1990s. For bigger jobs, ground troops can laser-designate or give exact coordinates for precision weapons dropped from relative safety by a "bomb truck" at 5000 ft. The A-10 has I think superior range and loiter time, but these can be offset by air-to-air refueling. The A-10 gun and safety features are probably not that important any more. So the F-16 and F-35 have a plus in that you can fly a squadron in, dog fight to establish air supremacy, THEN bomb truck. And one plane can probably cover a bit bigger area of combat due to higher top speed. The A-10's advantage at this point seems mainly that it can bomb-truck somewhat more cheaply per hour, but that has to be weighed against the need to have an entire second wing of aircraft, with spares, and keep a huge number of crew trained in maintaining and flying it. Given the expense of manpower and logistics, it may really be cheapest, and very comperable, to use F-16s and sometimes F-35s for the bomb truck role.

On January '80 I was assigned as a crew chief to the 23 TFW Flying Tigers, 75TFS (Black). Our sister TFS's were the 74th (Blue) and the 76th (Red). We were converting from A-7's to A-10's. Wing Commander: Colonel Michael Dugan. Ray Boy, Rock and Catahoula Kerr, You guys still out there?🤙🤙🤙

an unbeatable friendly fire machine it truly is

*laughs in highest friendly fire casualty rates of any US aircraft

For a aircraft that has seen many combat missions, we only get glowing puff pieces with pilots, aircraft designers and supported troops on the ground. I for one, would like for once to hear the enemies opinion of this classic aircraft, like, what is it like to get on the receiving end of the GAU-8? Did the GAU-8 change their lives in any way? Would they recommend the GAU-8 their friends🤔? Are there any suggested improvements, service delivery outcomes/improvements?

To quote a five star general in the USAAF who I just happen to know - “They’re like sitting ducks up there!” This was in response to my son’s comment about how cool the hogs are.

Because it does the job and is the infantary's best friend when they get in a jam 👌 Its just a beast 🔥🔥

12:07 - The need for the A-10 does not remain. That it's role be filled does.

Fun Fact about A-10 “BRRRRRRTTTTT” Thanks for Watching

A-10: "Let me sing you the song of my people: BRRRRRRRRRRRRT"

The A-10's cannon isn't terribly effective against modern tanks which leaves it as a rather slow aircraft which can damage softer targets and can attack tanks in ways other more survivable aircraft could also do. Back in the Gulf War the biggest tank killer was the F-111 plinking tanks with PGMs. The A-10's problem is that it doesn't have a niche. In contested environments, it's too vulnerable. In non-contested environments, drones are cheaper and, if you want something manned, a SuperTucano would be cheaper to operate.

One of the most over-hyped pieces of military equipment in history

08:40 The Warthog can do a lot but it *cannot fire 4200 rounds per second.* Edit: perhaps this needs to reviewed.

It been around for so long cause nobody has made anything better.

The presenter did an excellent job. There was no vocal fry, and she enunciated all of her words clearly. The Americans could learn a thing or two, or three from her.

Excellent video.

It's a shame this video didn't explore how controversial the A-10 is.

A quick look online show little to almost no cannon tank kills with the a10 like over 10 to 1 amd other planes show a much better tank kill rate then the a10 in the same fights. I think it's more a figure of power.

It may not be a beautiful aircraft but it’s one of the coolest looking aircraft ever made.

All the footage of the gun shooting shows almost no bullets hit their target. It surely is a great moral boost but for actually destroying anything, missiles are orders of magnitude better than that gun. Not to mention all the friendly fire this plane has done and british forces banning it's use near their forces because of that.

I still remember the news footage of an A-10 shooting-up a Serbian radio station during the 1999 Kosovo conflict. That GAU-8 30mm cannon was awesome.

One of my favorites of all-time especially considering its purpose and role as infantry support - it is essentially a post-WW2, 20th century stuka

Pure masterpiece of Alexander Kartveli and whole US aviation

Wonderful aircraft.. :) Was a joy to see in Duxford.. Alongside its older sister.. ^^

Wyman Gordon was the one-time parent company for Scaled Composites where I worked at that time. Their capabilities in Titanium forging and investment casting were second to none - they were especially proud of their produciton of the A-10's "Titanium Bathtub."

Thank you for illustrating its performance during the Gulf War in 1991. On the one hand, the A10 is a phenomenal close support air craft. On the other hand, it surprisingly under performed in comparison to the F111 in air-on-tank attacks. However, many Iraqi tanks that were destroyed by the F111 were done before the their units and formations were anywhere close to the battlefield. Whereas the A10 was able to effectively destroy targets and tanks during ground battles in a close air support role. In the thirty years since the Gulf War, it is still a valid question if the A10 is necessary. Does the US Army possess enough weapons and systems to destroy enemy targets on the battlefield without the A10? Is the A10 really needed to attack targets in a none close air support role? I wish the documentary could have added a little bit more about why the USAF thinks so.

I built a model; A10 as a kid, then whilst sat in my great Grans house with views across the air field, , a A10 screeched over head taking off from RAF Manston in Kent. must have been 1982/3 ish

When analysing the entire lifespan of the A-10, it has the most loss rates, and most hit aircraft in the entire USAF inventory. Meme all you want, but the data does not lie.

The A-10 is still serving for one reason oly - its STIL THE BEST and most effective ground attack aircraft in the sky today!! QED!! LOVE the A-10 😉👍

It’s basically a cannon with wings

The only military aircraft I've ever seen flying over me not during an air show, it's quite disconcerting seeing a couple A-10 fly over a store parking lot in the middle of the day 😶

The A-10 and F-4 are my go-to aircraft.

I was training on Eglin AFB in Fl when I joined a group that was going out to see the A-10s. Hearing that brrrtt was caf, seeing it was even better!

Sitting in my Scimitar IFV, I sure do hope we cross the desert safely