A-10 Thunderbolt II
by Staff EditorThe A-10 Thunderbolt II, more commonly referred to as the Warthog, was the first U.S. Air Force aircraft specially designed for close air support of ground forces. The Warthog is a simple, effective and survivable twin-engine jet aircraft that can be used against all ground targets. It has excellent maneuverability at low speeds making it particularly effective against tanks and other armored vehicles, with its 30mm cannon capable of firing 3,900 rounds per minute. The cockpit of the A-10 has titanium armor protecting both the pilots and parts of the flight control system.
A-10 Specifications
| Manufacturer: | Fairchild Republic Co. |
| First Flight: | 5/1972 |
| Wingspan: | 57.5 ft. (17.4 m) |
| Height: | 14.8 ft. (4.4 m) |
| Length: | 53.3 ft. (16.2 m) |
| Payload: | 16,000 lbs. (7,200 kg) of ordnance plus a seven-barrel 30mm GAU-8/A Gatling gun |
| Thrust: | 9.065 lbs. (40 kN) x two engines |
| Top Speed at Altitude: | Mach 0.56 |
| Ceiling: | 45,000 ft. (13,636 m) |
| Range: | 695 nm (1,287 km) |
| Crew: | One |
