A-10 Thunderbolt II
The A-10 Thunderbolt II, also known as the “Warthog”, with its distinctive huge GAU-8 Avenger 30 mm caliber Gatling gun, was the first U.S. Air Force aircraft developed exclusively to provide close air support to ground forces. Designed to attack tanks and other armored vehicles the A-10 is exceptionally durable and can survive direct hits from armor-piercing and high-explosive projectiles. It first saw combat in the Gulf war in 1991 and remains in service today.
FACTS & STATS:
| First Flown | 1972 |
| Range | 800 miles (1,288 km) |
| Length | 53 ft 4 in (16.26 m) |
| Engine | Two General Electric TF34-GE-100 turbofans, 9,000 lbs (4,082 kg) thrust each |
| Wingspan | 57 ft 6 in (17.53 m) |
| Max Speed | 517 mph (832 kmh) |
| Ceiling | 45,000 ft (13,716 m) |
| Weight |
Empty 25,600 lbs (11,612 kgs); |
|
Number Built
|
715 |
| Armament |
One GAU-8/A 30 mm Gatling gun with 1,174 rounds and 16,000 lbs (7,258 kg) of mixed ordnance |
Image Description: A-10C aircraft from the Maryland Air National Guard stationed at Warfield Air National Guard base in Baltimore, Maryland flying in formation during a training exercise.
Image Description: A close up of the A-10 Warthog's 30mm Gatling Gun.
Image Description: An A-10 rolls to mark a target with simulated M-156 white phosphorus rockets as part of an aerial demonstration.