The Encyclopedia of World Military Aircraft. 391-392, Fairchild Republic A-10A Uhunderbolt II.ĭonald, David and Lake, Jon, ed. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. The Modern US War Machine: An Encyclopedia of American Military Equipment and Strategy. The Encyclopedia of Modern Military Weapons: The Comprehensive Guide to Over 1,000 Weapon Systems from 1945 to the Present Day. Libya - Operation Odyssey Dawn (USAF, 2011)īishop, Chris, ed. Iraq - Operation Iraqi Freedom (USAF, 2003-present) Kosovo - Operation Allied Force (USAF, 1999)Īfghanistan - Operation Enduring Freedom (USAF, 2001-present) Iraq - Operation Desert Storm (USAF, 1991)īosnia - Operation Deliberate Force (USAF, 1995) Provide compatibility with precision guided weapons such as JDAM and WCMD Precision Engagement upgrade for A-10A aircraft equipped with with new software and cockpit displays to Two-seat Night Adverse Weather demonstrator developed by Fairchild from an A-10 prototype for considerationīy the USAF, included a second seat for a weapons officer responsible for ECM, navigation, and targetĪcquisition did not enter production but many of its features were later incorporated into the A-10 fleet Modified from existing A-10A models 30 were to be converted but the variant was cancelled Proposed two-seat combat-capable trainer with an enlarged nose and taller tail fins that would have been Sight, and the capability to use the 30-mm cannon against air unitsĪ-10A airframes converted to the observation and forward air control (FAC) role Production attack plane 721 built, about 90 upgraded with a radar altimeter, GPWS, autopilot, a new bomb Prototype that competed with the Northrop YA-9 for the Air Force A-X attack plane contract and won on 18 ![]() (A-10) ECM pods, navigation pods, jammer pods, chaff dispenser pods, up to 2 SUU-23/25/30/65 dispenser Mk 20 Rockeye, BLU-52, BLU-107 Durandal, up to 16 CBU-52/71 cluster, up to 8 CBU-87 cluster, BL755 One 30-mm GAU-8/A seven-barrel cannon (1,350 rds) As the A-10 fleet has been reduced, many of the retired planes have been offered for sale toģ2,730 lb (14,845 kg) Įxternal: up to 12,060 lb (5,470 kg) in three 600 gal (2,270 L) tanks To the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserves or retired from service. Over 700 examples of the A-10 were originally built for the US Air Force. This upgrade includes updating the software and cockpit displays of older A-10Īircraft so they can carry the latest generation of guided weapons. Many of the surviving aircraft are being upgraded to the A-10C standard under the PrecisionĮngagement program. Shot down Iraqi helicopters over Kuwait during the conflict.ĭespite this success, the A-10 and OA-10 fleet was again in jeopardy of being retired during the lateġ990s until its subsequent service in Afghanistan and Iraq again gave the attack plane a new lease on ![]() However, theĪ-10 soon proved its worth during Operation Desert Storm in 1991 when the Warthog was credited withĭestroying over 1,000 Iraqi tanks, 1,200 artillery pieces, and 2,000 other vehicles. Gradually retired and replaced by the F-16 during the 1990s. ![]() Plans had called for the A-10 fleet to be The basic A-10, and both aircraft received few updates after production ceased in the 1980s until aboutĮven early in its career, Air Force planners had questioned the usefulness of the A-10 in combat andĭoubted its ability to survive against modern air defenses. Is to locate targets and direct other aircraft in attacking them. With rocket pods to mark targets and Sidewinder missiles for self-defense, the primary mission of the OA-10 Several A-10 aircraft have also been adapted as OA-10 forward air control (FAC) platforms. The A-10 also provides further protection against groundfire by encasing theĬockpit and the ammunition drum for the cannon within a titanium "tub." TheĪ-10 is extremely rugged and able to continue flying even with an engine, a tail fin, or even part of a The A-10 is also designed for survivability given its role flying low and slow over the battlefield. Though able to operate guided missiles and bombs using a laser-designator pod under the nose, theĪvionics have remained simple for greater dependability and maintainability. The Warthog,Īs the A-10 is frequently called, is also fitted with a high aspect ratio wing well suited to low speedįlight that provides hardpoints for a variety of bombs and missiles used for the close air support The 30-mm cannon fires "milk-bottle-size rounds" at rates of 2,100 or 4,200 shots per minute. Carrying one of the most powerful guns ever placed on an aircraft, The A-10 resulted from a US Air Force requirement for a rugged attack plane to provide close-in support of
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