A-10 Thunderbolt II: Difference between revisions
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== Fairchild-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II == | == Fairchild-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II == | ||
''The Fairchild-Republic A-10 is the U.S. Air Force's primary low-altitude close air support aircraft. Gaining fame in all of the Gulf Wars, the Balkans, and Afghanistan, it is one of the most feared aircraft by enemy forces, and most loved by American "boot-on-the-ground." | ''The Fairchild-Republic A-10 is the U.S. Air Force's primary low-altitude close air support aircraft. Gaining fame in all of the Gulf Wars, the Balkans, and Afghanistan, it is one of the most feared aircraft by enemy forces, and most loved by American "boot-on-the-ground."'' | ||
The A-10 was designed as a sub-sonic, short take-off, highly maneuverable aircraft that could loiter above the battlefield for extended periods of time. Redundant control surfaces and hydraulic systems combined with titanium armor protecting the pilot, control systems and ammunition allows the aircraft to endure incredible amounts of damage and still fly. | ''The A-10 was designed as a sub-sonic, short take-off, highly maneuverable aircraft that could loiter above the battlefield for extended periods of time. Redundant control surfaces and hydraulic systems combined with titanium armor protecting the pilot, control systems and ammunition allows the aircraft to endure incredible amounts of damage and still fly.'' | ||
The A-10 is the only aircraft whose airframe was totally designed around a gun. The 30mm General Electric GAU-BA Avenger cannon is what makes the Warthog famous and extremely lethal. Each round has a core made from depleted uranium - one of the densest metals on earth - that is capable of penetrating nearly 3 inches (76mm) of battle armor. If this was not enough, the gun can fire up to 4,200 of these monstrous rounds a minute, or 70 per second! | ''The A-10 is the only aircraft whose airframe was totally designed around a gun. The 30mm General Electric GAU-BA Avenger cannon is what makes the Warthog famous and extremely lethal. Each round has a core made from depleted uranium - one of the densest metals on earth - that is capable of penetrating nearly 3 inches (76mm) of battle armor. If this was not enough, the gun can fire up to 4,200 of these monstrous rounds a minute, or 70 per second!'' | ||
The A-10 is able to carry a huge load of more than 16,000 lbs. (7,257 kg) of ordinance from eleven hard points under its wings and fuselage. Teamed with its 30mm GAU-B/A rotary cannon makes this aircraft an extremely lethal weapon. | ''The A-10 is able to carry a huge load of more than 16,000 lbs. (7,257 kg) of ordinance from eleven hard points under its wings and fuselage. Teamed with its 30mm GAU-B/A rotary cannon makes this aircraft an extremely lethal weapon.'' | ||
Although officially named the "Thunderbolt II," the A-10's toughness, survivability, and lethality has led pilots and ground crows to nickname it the | ''Although officially named the "Thunderbolt II," the A-10's toughness, survivability, and lethality has led pilots and ground crows to nickname it the '' | ||
<big><big>"'''Warthog'''" or just plain "'''Hog'''."</big></big>'' | ''<big><big>"'''Warthog'''" or just plain "'''Hog'''."</big></big>'' | ||
[[Category:Stafford Museum]] | [[Category:Stafford Museum]] | ||
Revision as of 16:19, 2 January 2025
Fairchild-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II
The Fairchild-Republic A-10 is the U.S. Air Force's primary low-altitude close air support aircraft. Gaining fame in all of the Gulf Wars, the Balkans, and Afghanistan, it is one of the most feared aircraft by enemy forces, and most loved by American "boot-on-the-ground."
The A-10 was designed as a sub-sonic, short take-off, highly maneuverable aircraft that could loiter above the battlefield for extended periods of time. Redundant control surfaces and hydraulic systems combined with titanium armor protecting the pilot, control systems and ammunition allows the aircraft to endure incredible amounts of damage and still fly.
The A-10 is the only aircraft whose airframe was totally designed around a gun. The 30mm General Electric GAU-BA Avenger cannon is what makes the Warthog famous and extremely lethal. Each round has a core made from depleted uranium - one of the densest metals on earth - that is capable of penetrating nearly 3 inches (76mm) of battle armor. If this was not enough, the gun can fire up to 4,200 of these monstrous rounds a minute, or 70 per second!
The A-10 is able to carry a huge load of more than 16,000 lbs. (7,257 kg) of ordinance from eleven hard points under its wings and fuselage. Teamed with its 30mm GAU-B/A rotary cannon makes this aircraft an extremely lethal weapon.
Although officially named the "Thunderbolt II," the A-10's toughness, survivability, and lethality has led pilots and ground crows to nickname it the
"Warthog" or just plain "Hog."