Cold War tankbuster still bringing the pain

Originally developed in the 1970s to counter Soviet tanks and ground troops, the A-10 Thunderbolt II – better known as the “Warthog” – is among the oldest aircraft in service with the U.S. Air Force
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FAIRCHILD REPUBLIC A-10 THUNDERBOLT II (Warthog)

Durability: Titanium armour protects pilot and key systems – plane cantake significant damage and still fly

Wings: Wide, low-set configurationfor superior manoeuvrability at low speed and altitude

Armament: 30mm cannon with up to 1,350 rounds. Variety of other weapons carried on 11 hardpoints

Engines: Located behind wingsto give partial shielding from groundfire. Aircraft can fly on one engine
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SPECIFICATIONS

Type: Single- seat ground- attack aircraft

Cost per plane $18.8m

Wingspan 17.42m

Length 16.16m

Payload 7,257kg

Height 4.42m

Performance

Maximum speed 833km/h

Stall speed 220km/h

Maximum combat range 1,287km

Ferry range 4,150km

Service ceiling 13,636m

Firepower: A-10’s seven-barrel 30mm GAU-8 Avenger rotary cannon can fire up to 70 rounds per second and disable enemy tanks at range of over 6,500m
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Source: United States Air Force

Picture: ArmyPhotos.net

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