A new bipartisan bill in the U.S. House is seeking to prevent the retirement of the A-10 Warthog, requiring the U.S. Air Force to keep at least 126 aircraft operational through 2033.
The bill, known as the BRRRRT Act, would also require some retired A-10s to be preserved in recoverable condition and potentially return aircraft from storage to meet the required fleet size.
It would further require the Air Force to restore its A-10 depot maintenance line and pilot training pipeline, both of which were recently closed.
Under the proposal, the A-10 could only be fully retired after a purpose-built replacement aircraft is certified. Using existing fighters such as the F-35 or F-16 for the mission would not meet that requirement.
The legislation also calls for the return of an A-10 demonstration team. The bill is currently before the House Armed Services Committee, but its chances of becoming law remain uncertain.