The A-10 is a close support aircraft, specializing in anti-tank warfare. Sporting a very unconventional airframe, it was designed with survivability and operational effectiveness in mind. The large low-set wings allow excellent low-speed maneuverability over the battlefield, while titanium armor shields the cockpit and ammunition case from ground fire.
Built into the nose is a devastating 30mm 7-barrel rotary cannon capable of firing depleted uranium shells at 2,100 or 4,200 rpm. The Thunderbolt II can compliment this with a large load of AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missiles and/or laser-guided bombs.
A total of 721 aircraft entered service with the USAF since its inception.
Prime Contractor: Fairchild
Nation of Origin: USA
Function: Attack
Crew: 1
In-service year: 1975
Engine: Two General Electric TF34-GE-100 non-afterburning turbofans, 9,065 lb thrust each
Dimensions
Wing span: 17.53 m / 57 ft 6 in
Length: 16.26 m / 53 ft 4 in
Height: 4.47 m / 14 ft 8 in
Weight: 24,959 lb empty / 50,000 lb max. take off
Ceiling: 41,175 ft
Speed: 706 km/h / 439 mph at sea level
Range: 992 km / 620 miles
Armament: One GAU-8/A 30mm cannon with 1,174 rounds, plus up to 16,000 lb including laser-guided bombs, freefall bombs, AGM-65 Maverick ASMs, ECM pods, AIM-9 Sidewinder AAMs, and fuel tanks on 11 external points
Please click here to go back to the HOME page.
