Boeing delivers first A-10 wing set to Air Force

The first of new Boeing-designed wing sets that will extend the service life of several A-10 Warthog aircraft was delivered earlier this month to Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, UT, according to a company press release.

Boeing was awarded the indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract in August 2019 to manufacture up to 112 wing sets for the aircraft, which was capped at $999 million. The Air Force has so far ordered 50 wing sets, according to a Boeing spokeswoman, though future sustainment needs could prompt the service to order more.

Assembly for the next wing set is underway, the spokeswoman added, with all elements of the set expected to be delivered before July 1. Delivery for the third wing kit is planned for September.

The Air Force is continuing sustainment of the A-10 as the service seeks permission from Congress to gradually divest it, with the goal of phasing out the entire fleet within a decade. After blocking divestment of the aircraft last year, key lawmakers have since told Inside Defense that they would support A-10 retirements for fiscal year 2023.

The Air Force is aiming to retire 21 A-10s in FY-23, according to legislative proposals recently released by the Defense Department. The aircraft first entered service in 1976.