Mission

The A-10 and OA-10 Thunderbolt IIs are the first Air Force aircraft specially designed for close air support of ground
forces. They are simple, effective and survivable twin-engine jet aircraft that can be used against all ground targets,
including tanks and other armored vehicles.

Features

The A-10/OA-10 have excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude, and are highly accurate weapons-delivery
platforms. They can loiter near battle areas for extended periods of time and operate under 1,000-foot ceilings (303.3
meters) with 1.5-mile (2.4 kilometers) visibility. Their wide coatmb radius and short takeoff and landing capability permit
operations in and out of locations near front lines. Using night vision goggles, A-10/ OA-10 pilots can conduct their missions
during darkness.

Thunderbolt IIs have Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS), compatible single-seat cockpits forward of their wings and a
large bubble canopy which provides pilots all-around vision. The pilots are encircled by titanium armor that also protects
parts of the flight-control system. The redundant primary structural sections allow the aircraft to enjoy better survivability
during close air support than did previous aircraft. The aircraft can survive direct hits from armor-piercing and
high-explosive projectiles up to 23mm. Their self-sealing fuel cells are protected by internal and external foam. Their
redundant hydraulic flight-control systems are backed up by manual systems. This permits pilots to fly and land when
hydraulic power is lost.

The Thunderbolt II can be serviced and operated from bases with limited facilities near battle areas. Many of the aircraft's
parts are interchangeable left and right, including the engines, main landing gear and vertical stabilizers.

Avionics equipment includes communications, inertial navigation systems, fire control and weapons delivery systems, target
penetration aids and night vision goggles. Their weapons delivery systems include head-up displays that indicate airspeed,
altitude and dive angle on the windscreen, a low altitude safety and targeting enhancement system (LASTE) which provides
constantly computing impact point freefall ordnance delivery; and Pave Penny laser-tracking pods under the fuselage. The
aircraft also have armament control panels, and infrared and electronic countermeasures to handle surface-to-air-missile
threats.

The Thunderbolt II's 30mm GAU-8/A Gatling gun can fire 3,900 rounds a minute and can defeat an array of ground targets to
include tanks. Some of their other equipment includes an inertial navigation system, electronic countermeasures, target
penetration aids, self-protection systems, and AGM-65 Maverick and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.

Background

The first production A-10A was delivered to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., in October 1975. It was designed
specially for the close air support mission and had the ability to combine large military loads, long loiter and wide combat
radius, which proved to be vital assets to America and its allies during Operation Desert Storm. In the Gulf War, A-10s,
with a mission capable rate of 95.7 percent, flew 8,100 sorties and launched 90 percent of the AGM-65 Maverick missiles.

General Characteristics

Primary Function: A-10 -- close air support, OA-10 - airborne forward air control

Contractor: Fairchild Republic Co.

Power Plant: Two General Electric TF34-GE-100 turbofans

Thrust: 9,065 pounds each engine

Length: 53 feet, 4 inches (16.16 meters)

Height: 14 feet, 8 inches (4.42 meters)

Wingspan: 57 feet, 6 inches (17.42 meters)

Speed: 420 miles per hour (Mach 0.56)

Ceiling: 45,000 feet (13,636 meters)

Maximum Takeoff Weight: 51,000 pounds (22,950 kilograms)

Range: 800 miles (695 nautical miles)

Armament: One 30 mm GAU-8/A seven-barrel Gatling gun; up to 16,000 pounds (7,200 kilograms) of mixed ordnance on
eight under-wing and three under-fuselage pylon stations, including 500 pounds (225 kilograms) of retarded bombs, 2,000
pounds (900 kilograms) of general-purpose bombs, incendiary and Rockeye II cluster bombs, combined effects munitions,
Maverick missiles and laser-guided/electro-optically guided bombs; infrared countermeasure flares; electronic
countermeasure chaff; jammer pods; 2.75-inch (6.99 centimeters) rockets; illumination flares and AIM-9 Sidewinder
missiles.

Crew: One

Date Deployed: March 1976

Unit Cost: $8.8 million

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