Pentagon Eyes Aging A-10 Warthog to Blast Drone Swarms Over US Bases

Pentagon Eyes Aging A-10 Warthog to Blast Drone Swarms Over US Bases The U.S. military is exploring a new mission for its aging A-10 "Warthog" attack jets: defending American military bases from cheap but deadly drone swarms. Most U.S. bases currently lack dedicated air defenses, as existing plans were focused on stopping high-tech ballistic missiles, leaving them vulnerable to low-flying drones that can evade traditional missile systems [111656]. Under the proposed plan, the heavily armored A-10, famous for its powerful 30mm cannon, would patrol the skies above sensitive sites like nuclear bases, using its cannons, missiles, and advanced sensors to hunt and destroy enemy drones [111656]. This move, repurposing a Cold War-era aircraft, offers what officials see as a cost-effective solution to a growing threat [111656]. The Pentagon is simultaneously defending its legal authority for military operations abroad. The Department of Defense has publicly supported a senior commander's decision to authorize recent strikes in Venezuela, stating the actions followed proper legal procedures and were approved by military and civilian lawyers throughout the chain of command [17258]. In a related incident, U.S. Secretary of Defense John Hegseth defended a decision to strike the same boat twice, attributing the engagement to the "fog of war" and supporting the commander's choice to "eliminate the threat" [17273]. These defenses come as Senate Republicans move to shield former President Donald Trump's military authority, blocking a Democratic effort to repeal the 2001 war powers resolution used for a recent Venezuela operation [50051]. Meanwhile, in Somalia, security forces successfully stopped an Al-Shabaab militant group from infiltrating a key forested region near Afgooye, with the Somali National Army and intelligence agencies repelling the attempted entry in a contested area [37883]. Old Jet, New Mission: A-10 Warthog Eyed for US Base Defense Against Drones Pentagon Defends Commander's Decision in Venezuela Strikes Pentagon Defends Second Strike in "Fog of War" Incident Senate Republicans Move to Shield Trump's War Powers Al-Shabaab Infiltration Attempt Thwarted in Somali Forest