Iran's Tasnim news agency reported today that its military news office stated a US A-10 attack aircraft was shot down by an Iranian air defense system in southern waters and crashed into the Persian Gulf.
The New York Times previously quoted two unnamed US officials who said an A-10 attack aircraft crashed in the Persian Gulf and its pilot was rescued. These officials did not provide specific details about the A-10 incident, such as the circumstances or exact location, only revealing it occurred concurrently with an F-15E heavy fighter jet being shot down over Iranian airspace.
A US official confirmed to CNN that the A-10 was hit by Iran. The official stated, "The pilot attempted to maneuver the aircraft out of enemy airspace before ejecting."
An A-10 attack aircraft refuels during Operation Horrific Fury on 9/3. *Video: USAF*
The White House and the Pentagon have not yet commented on this information.
Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Cain announced in mid-3 that the A-10 attack aircraft squadron had "begun combat operations and is hunting for fast attack boats in the Strait of Hormuz."
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth declared on 26/3 that Iran's coastal defense capabilities "have been severely limited," to the extent that A-10 attack aircraft and AH-64 Apache helicopters could "fly freely throughout Iranian airspace," including the Strait of Hormuz.
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The location of the Strait of Hormuz. *Graphic: AP*
The A-10 is an attack aircraft developed by Fairchild Republic in the early 1960s to replace the A-1 Skyraider series. It was mass-produced starting in 1972 and entered service with the US Air Force in 1977.
This aircraft was specially built for close air support missions for infantry, prioritizing attacks on enemy tanks, armored vehicles, and ground forces, earning it the nickname "tank killer." A-10s can also act as forward air control stations, coordinating other fighter aircraft to attack ground targets.
The A-10's strengths include its durability and high survivability. Pilots are protected by a titanium "bathtub-shaped" cockpit that can withstand 23 mm cannon fire. The aircraft's engines are mounted high on the horizontal and vertical stabilizers, preventing them from ingesting debris from unimproved runways and partially limiting their heat signatures against infrared seekers of shoulder-fired missiles.
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An A-10 attack aircraft participates in an operation targeting Iran on 9/3. *Photo: USAF*
However, the A-10 also has weaknesses, such as slow speed, poor maneuverability, and a lack of advanced jamming and targeting systems. This means it can only maximize its advantages when the US Air Force has achieved complete air superiority, eliminating threats from enemy fighter jets and air defense missile systems.
Nguyen Tien (According to AP, AFP, Tasnim, CNN)
