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A-10 Thunderbolt II Specs
The A-10 Thunderbolt II or "Warthog" is the USAF's first dedicated close air support attack aircraft. This amazing aircraft can even take a direct hit from armor piercing, high explosive, 23 mm rounds. The A-10 will be known as historically as one of the toughest modern military aircraft in the USAF. It can claim this because it has many redundant systems, self-sealing fuel tanks, and tough twin engines. This aircraft also has some unique abilities that make it perfect for the close air support role. It has extended loitering time over the battle field, excellent maneuverability at low altitude, and can operate successfully under 1,000 ft ceilings.
Of course any summary of the A-10 would not be complete with out a mention of its gun. The A-10 uses a 30 mm GAU-8 Gatling gun with 7 barrels. This awesome 16 ft gun can fire 3,900 rounds per minute. It uses a armor piercing, uranium depleted, high explosive round that can penetrate almost any armored vehicle on the planet. If the gun can't do the job, the AGM-65 Maverick missiles, sidewinders, or any of the other various ordinance that the A-10 carries can.
Function: | Close air support | ||||
Contractor: | Fairchild Republic | ||||
Power Plant: | 2 GE TF34-GE-100 engines at 9,065 lbs thrust each | ||||
Length: | 53 ft 4 in | ||||
Height: | 14 ft 8 in | ||||
Max Weight: | 51,000 lbs. | ||||
Wingspan: | 57 ft 6 in | ||||
Speed: | 420 mph | ||||
Range: | 695 nautical mi. unrefueled | ||||
Armament: | one 30 mm GAU-8/a 7 barrel gatling gun & up to 16,000 lbs of various ordnance on 11 hard points | ||||
Crew: | one | ||||
Deployment Date: | 1976 |