10 hours ago - Technology

Air Force teaches an old Hog new tricks

Colin Demarest

Gray A-10 aircraft in flight over a desert with distant mountains. A long nose refueling probe reaches toward a drogue. — An A-10 Thunderbolt II refuels, using a probe-and-drogue system, on April 2. Photo: Charles Givens/DVIDS

The U.S. Air Force is developing and deploying refueling adapters for the A-10, giving the beloved-but-aging attack aircraft additional means of staying aloft.

Why it matters: The A-10, often referred to as the Warthog, has played a key role in Operation Epic Fury.

The warplanes have strafed boats in the Strait of Hormuz and aided the rescue of an F-15E Strike Eagle pilot and weapon-system office deep inside Iran.

Driving the news: Images and videos of the adapter in action emerged online this month and were quickly seized on.

The demand for the adapter came from a combatant command, according to the Air Force. The service did not disclose exactly which one.

How it works: The new device — manufactured by an undisclosed contractor — fits into the standard air-refueling receptacle on the A-10 nose. That converts it from boom to probe-and-drogue, making it compatible with C-130-based tankers.

The device can be installed or removed in a matter of hours by flight line personnel, according to the Air Force.

Friction point: Until now, the A-10 was dependent on the KC-135 for refueling.

Go deeper: Northrop and Embraer join forces for KC-390 refueling boom

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Air Force teaches an old Hog new tricks

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