At a time when the future of the A-10 is in doubt the Air Force has decided to upgrade 19 Warthogs to give them improved combat search and rescue capabilities. According to a statement by the Air Force these upgrades were urgent.
Watch A-10 Thunderbolt Gun Runs
The LARS V-12 is designed to allow A-10 pilots to communicate more effectively with individuals on the ground such as downed pilots, pararescuemen and joint terminal attack controllers.
“This urgent operational need arose in August (2016),” said Timothy Gray, 309th AMARG acting director. “Air Combat Command and the A-10 Program Office asked me if AMARG could complete 16 aircraft by 16 December. I said ‘Absolutely!’ It was awesome to see Team AMARG take on this massive logistical challenge, build a production machine, find facilities, manpower, equipment, tools, and make material kits (to) execute the requirement.”
“A-10 pilots take the Combat Search and Rescue role very seriously,” said Lt. Col. Ryan Hayde, 354th Fighter Squadron commander and A-10 pilot. “While this is just one tool, it can assist us in bringing them back to U.S. soil safely.” – Davis-Monthan Air Force Base
![A-10_Thunderbolt_II_Gun_Run](https://i0.wp.com/fightersweep.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/A-10_Thunderbolt_II_Gun_Run.jpeg?resize=630%2C410&ssl=1)
Photo of A-10 on a gun run by US Air Force
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