The US has deployed A-10 attack aircraft and Apache helicopters to the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. military has officially increased its patrol and combat operations in the Strait of Hormuz by deploying A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft and AH-64 Apache attack helicopters. This move comes amid escalating tensions in the strategic waterway, which carries approximately 20% of the world's daily oil supply.

Assessing the field situation and defense capabilities.

Speaking after a cabinet meeting at the White House on March 25, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said that A-10 and AH-64 aircraft had conducted free flights in the region's airspace. According to Hegseth, the deployment of these low-altitude, slow-speed air support aircraft demonstrated a significant weakening of the enemy's air defenses, as well as a breakdown in their command and control systems.

This information comes after reports indicated that more than 150 Iranian Navy warships have been sunk since the conflict broke out. Previously, General Dan Razin Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed that A-10 and AH-64 aircraft are actively targeting fast attack craft, including remotely controlled bomb-carrying vessels threatening the safety of oil tankers in the strait.

Combat capabilities of the A-10 attack aircraft and Apache helicopter.

The A-10 Thunderbolt II is a subsonic attack aircraft specifically designed for close air support missions. Its most notable weapon is the GAU-8/A Avenger 30mm seven-barreled Gatling gun, with a firing rate of up to 3,900 rounds per minute and an effective range of 1,200 meters. This gun is considered an effective tool for tracking high-speed moving targets on water.

In parallel, the AH-64 Apache helicopter also plays a crucial role, equipped with a 30mm M230 machine gun and multi-purpose weapon pylons. Notably, some Apache units deployed in the Middle East have been upgraded to integrate the Spike NLOS missile. This is an optically guided missile with a range of up to 50km for the latest generation, providing helicopter forces with the ability to accurately strike targets from long distances.

Tensions along the vital shipping lanes.

Despite the US military's use of advanced equipment to increase pressure, the Strait of Hormuz continues to experience complex developments. The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had previously issued warnings of attacks on any vessels passing through the area. In fact, numerous ships have been hit by gunfire in the strait and surrounding waters since the start of the US-Israeli war with Iran, effectively closing the waterway.