The US Air Force (USAF) has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to re-wing 122 of its Fairchild-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II close air support (CAS) aircraft.

RFP, released on May 25Th , for the A-10 Thunderbolt Advanced Wing Continuation Kitting (ATTACK) programme calls for the re-winging of 112 aircraft over five annual ordering periods.

This ATTACK effort adds to the 173 aircraft that were upgraded under the previous Wing Replacement Program (WRP) that ran from 2007 through to 2018, with Boeing as prime contractor. The addition of 112 upgraded aircraft under the latest ATTACK programme will give the USAF the 285 platforms it intends to fly out into the 2030s.

The issuance of the ATTACK RFP is the surest indication of the USAF’s intention to reverse its decision to retire the A-10 so as to free up resources for the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).