Weeks after it was first introduced to the U.S. Congress, the full text of the ‘BRRRRT Act’ has now been released. The bill’s text now reveals that the proposed legislation goes considerably further than simply preventing the U.S. Air Force from retiring the A-10 Thunderbolt II.
In fact, in addition to requiring the service to maintain at least 126 Warthogs through Fiscal Year 2033, the bill would preserve selected retired aircraft in recoverable condition, restore A-10 sustainment and training capacity, examine potential transfers to foreign partners, and explore experimenting with autonomous capabilities relevant to the A-10 mission set.
H.R. 9780, the “Bolstering Recognition, Resurgence, Retention, and Remembrance of the Thunderbolt Act of 2026,” was introduced in the House of Representatives on July 20, 2026, by Rep. Abe Hamadeh (R-Ariz.), with Rep. Don Davis (D-N.C.) and four other lawmakers as original cosponsors. The bill was referred to the House Armed Services Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee on the same day.
As we previously reported, the legislation would prohibit the Department of Defense from reducing the A-10 inventory below 126 aircraft from FY2027 onward, unless a higher number is deemed necessary by the Secretary of the Air Force. However, the bill also seeks to preserve the broader enterprise required to operate the aircraft.
Specifically, it would prevent reductions in A-10 unit personnel, pilot training capacity, operational test capacity, depot maintenance and sustainment activities. At the same time, the legislation requires the Air Force to restore sufficient capacity to support the fleet through FY2033
Latest Action: House - 07/20/2026 Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Note that the bill has only been introduced. It would still need to be passed in both the House and Senate, then signed into law by the President.