The Government Accountability Office has questioned the U.S. Air Force‘s $4.2 billion estimate of cost savings associated with potential A-10 Warthog retirement or alternative programs.GSA said Thursday the A-10 saving estimation that the military service provided in its fiscal 2015 budget request was incomplete.
The agency also believes retiring the fleet would create a capability gap in the military branch’s close air support missions.
“Divestiture of the A-10 could also contribute to gaps due to the training focus of its aircrews, its wide range of weapons and its operational capabilities, including its ability to operate in austere environments and under the weather,” GAO added.
The military service is examining whether F-16 or F-15E fighters can replace A-10s in other airborne missions and looking to transfer Warthog personnel and increase CAS simulation activities in order to minimize the potential loss of the program.
