U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) says it is now deploying Warthogs to the battleground.
The deployment of the A-10 Thunderbolt II (affectionately known as the "Warthog") marks a tactical shift in the campaign, moving from high-altitude strategic bombing to "tank-killing" and direct ground support.
The A-10 was specifically designed during the Cold War to shred Soviet tank divisions. In the current context of the U.S.-Iran conflict (March 2026), it is being used to dismantle the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) armored columns and mobile ballistic missile launchers.
* The "Flying Tank": The pilot sits in a 1,200-pound "titanium bathtub" designed to withstand direct hits from 23mm anti-aircraft fire, allowing the plane to fly low and slow over the battlefield.
* The GAU-8 Avenger Cannon: This is the aircraft’s signature weapon. It is a 30mm Gatling gun that fires at a rate of roughly 3,900 rounds per minute. The shells are roughly the size of milk bottles and are capable of piercing the heavy armor of Iran's T-72 and Karrar tanks.
* Payload: It carries over 7 tons of ordnance, including AGM-65 Maverick missiles and laser-guided bombs, making it a nightmare for moving ground targets.
