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US Navy & Air Force Conduct Live-Fire Exercise in Arabian Gulf: Killer Tomato
The joint gunnery drill between the USS Santa Barbara and A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft highlights the evolving landscape of naval warfare.
Published on Feb. 8, 2026
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The recent joint gunnery drill between the U.S. Navy's USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) and A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft, dubbed Exercise Killer Tomato, is a glimpse into the evolving landscape of naval warfare. This collaboration highlights a growing trend of leveraging the unique strengths of different platforms to counter emerging threats, particularly in complex environments like the Persian Gulf.
Why it matters
The integration showcased in Exercise Killer Tomato demonstrates a move towards a more distributed and networked approach to naval warfare, where the focus is on combining the strengths of various assets - ships, aircraft, and potentially unmanned systems - to create a more resilient and adaptable force. This is particularly crucial in the Persian Gulf, which presents a complex security environment with threats ranging from state-sponsored actors to non-state groups employing asymmetric tactics.
The details
The A-10's capabilities are increasingly valuable in maritime scenarios, with its ability to loiter for extended periods, communicate directly, and visually identify targets making it ideal for coordinating with naval forces. The A-10's role is about persistent observation and precise engagement, which is critical as naval warfare shifts towards addressing smaller, more agile adversaries like naval drones. The USS Santa Barbara, an Independence-variant littoral combat ship (LCS), benefits significantly from the air support provided by the A-10, as LCS platforms can be vulnerable to attacks from drones and fast-attack craft.
- The recent joint gunnery drill between the U.S. Navy's USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) and A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft, dubbed Exercise Killer Tomato, took place in February 2026.
The players
USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32)
An Independence-variant littoral combat ship (LCS) designed for operations in near-shore environments.
A-10 Thunderbolt II
A close air support aircraft known for its ability to loiter, communicate directly, and visually identify targets, making it valuable in maritime scenarios.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)
The U.S. military's regional command responsible for the Middle East, including the Persian Gulf.
What’s next
The U.S. military is expected to continue exploring the integration of different platforms, including aircraft and unmanned systems, to enhance the capabilities of naval forces in complex environments like the Persian Gulf.
The takeaway
Exercise Killer Tomato demonstrates the growing trend of combining the strengths of various military assets to create a more resilient and adaptable force, which is crucial for addressing the evolving threats in the Persian Gulf and other strategic regions.
