History:
The A-10 Thunderbolt II is an aircraft which was specially designed for close air support of ground forces. This simple, effective and survivable twin-engine jet aircraft can be used against all ground targets, including tanks and other armored vehicles. The primary mission of the A-10 is to provide day and night close air combat support for friendly land forces and to act as forward air controller (FAC) to coordinate and direct friendly air forces in support of land forces. The A-10 has a secondary mission of supporting search and rescue and Special Forces operations. The first production A-10A was delivered to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., in October 1975. In the Gulf War, A-10s flew 8,100 sorties and launched 90 percent of the AGM-65 Maverick missiles. The Thunderbolt II has Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS), a single-seat cockpit forward of their wings and a large bubble canopy which gives pilots a perfect all-around vision. The pilots are protected by titanium armor that also protects parts of the flight-control system. The aircraft can survive direct hits from armor-piercing and high-explosive projectiles up to 23mm. The self-sealing fuel cells are protected by internal and external foam. The redundant hydraulic flight-control systems are backed up by manual systems, which permits pilots to fly and land even when hydraulic power is lost. The A-10 has excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude, and is a highly accurate weapons-delivery platform. It can loiter near battle areas for extended periods of time and operate under 300 meter ceilings and has a wide combat radius and short takeoff and landing capability. A 30 millimeter GAU-8/A Gatling Gun is located in the forward nose section of the fuselage. The gun can fire 3,900 rounds a minute and can defeat an array of ground targets, including tanks (30 rounds take less than half of a second!). The Thunderbolt can also be armed with AGM-65 Maverick and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.
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| Function: | Close Air Support |
| Dimensions (wingspan/length/height): | 17.53 m / 16.25 m / 4.47 m |
| Weight: | 10,997 kg empty (21,500 kg max. takeoff weight) |
| Engines: | 2 x General Electric TF34-GE-100 turbofans |
| Max. speed: | 682 km/h |
| Range: | 1280 km |
| Ceiling: | 10575 Meter |
| Armament: | 1 x 30 mm GAU-8/A seven-barrel Gatling gun; and combination of: MK-82 (500 pound bomb), MK-84 (2000 pound bomb), MK77 incendiary, MK20 Rockeye II, CBU-52, CBU-58, CBU-71, CBU-87, CBU-89, CBU-97, BL755, AGM-65 Maverick missiles, GBU-10 laser-guided bomb, GBU-12 laser-guided bomb, AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles |
| Crew: | 1 |
| Manufacturer: | Fairchild Republic Co.; USA |
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