USAF A-10 Warthogs supplying non-stop close air support for renewed fighting in Afghanistan this summer still have to undergo their 400-flight hour maintenance routine. A-10 maintainers at Bagram Air Base work 24/7 on two Warthogs at once to maintain the increased operational pace. They are performing more maintenance because of the higher flying hours and loading more weapons. Weapons loaders claim it’s a rare day when a Warthog doesn’t return empty. (Read more here.)
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
