Pentagon Eyes Cold War A-10 Warthog to Blast Cheap Drones Protecting Nuclear Bases

The U.S. military is exploring a surprising new mission for its aging fleet of A-10 "Warthog" attack jets: hunting down cheap, low-flying drones that threaten American nuclear bases and other sensitive sites. Most domestic bases currently lack any dedicated air defense against drones, leaving them vulnerable to swarms of inexpensive unmanned aircraft that can evade traditional missile systems [111656]. The proposed solution involves retrofitting the Cold War-era tank-killer to patrol the skies above top-secret locations, using its massive 30mm cannon and advanced sensors to destroy incoming threats [111656].

The move comes as the Pentagon simultaneously defends its legal authority to conduct military strikes in volatile regions. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has publicly justified a recent naval engagement where forces struck the same boat twice, citing the "fog of war" and stating he fully supported the commander’s decision to "eliminate the threat" [17273]. The Pentagon also confirmed that strikes in Venezuela were approved through a rigorous legal review, with a spokesperson stating the actions taken by Admiral Bradley followed proper legal procedures [17258]. These operations, including "Operation Absolute Resolve," have sparked a political battle in the Senate, where Republicans are moving to block a Democratic effort to repeal the 2001 war powers resolution that authorized them, arguing the repeal would weaken presidential authority during ongoing threats [50051].

While the Pentagon reinforces its legal stance on foreign campaigns, the A-10 proposal highlights a growing shift in military priorities toward domestic defense. The heavily armored jet, famous for its durability and firepower, would be repurposed from its traditional role of supporting ground troops to patrolling the airspace above nuclear sites [111656]. "Existing plans focused on stopping ballistic missiles, which require expensive, high-tech systems," but the rising threat from cheap, low-flying drones requires a more cost-effective solution [111656]. Turkish defense company ASELSAN has also unveiled its GOKSUR Close-In Air Defense System, designed to protect naval vessels against similar "sea-skimming" missiles by creating a dense defensive wall of gunfire [19638].

Meanwhile, tensions over military power extend beyond the battlefield. Germany’s Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius, forcefully rejected suggestions that the NATO alliance is in decline, stating, "I am not prepared to bury the alliance before it has died," reaffirming Germany's commitment to the transatlantic partnership [73966]. At home, the Pentagon is defending new media restrictions designed to "stop activity that could compromise national security," amid a lawsuit from The New York Times challenging the policy [64596]. The U.S. Olympic skeleton athlete and Air Force Staff Sergeant Kelly Curtis also publicly supported her teammates facing criticism for their comments about representing the United States, saying, "I love America" and expressing pride in her fellow competitors [82583].