Air Combat Command plans to declare initial operational capability for the modernized A-10 today during a ceremony at Langley AFB, Va. The “new” Warthog—the A-10C—has received “the most significant modifications” in the 30-year history of the A-10 close air support aircraft, according to an ACC announcement. The mods include full sensor integration to provide the Hogs the ability to identify and strike targets from a higher altitude and greater distance with no loss in accuracy and upgraded communications.
The Air Force wants to pump more than $12 billion over the next five years into its new affordable long-range missiles program and recently asked industry to push the flights of some of those munitions beyond 1,200 miles.