Photo gallery of a Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II,
The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is a single seat, twin-engine, straight wing jet aircraft developed by Fairchild-Republic for the United States Air Force. Its official name comes from the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, a fighter particularly effective at close air support. The A-10 is more commonly known by its nicknames “Warthog” or “Hog”. The A-10 was designed for close-in support of ground troops, close air support, providing quick-action support for troops against helicopters, vehicles, and ground troops. It entered service in 1976 and is the only production-built aircraft that has served in the USAF that was designed solely for CAS. Its secondary mission is to provide forward air controller – airborne (FAC-A) support, by directing other aircraft in attacks on ground targets. Aircraft used primarily in this role are designated OA-10.
The A-10A Thunderbolt II was designed with a single, brutal purpose: to destroy Soviet tank columns pouring through the Fulda Gap. Named after the WWII P-47 Thunderbolt, the A-10 is the ultimate evolution of the “attack” aircraft. It is slow, ugly, and incredibly tough, designed to fly low, loiter over the battlefield, and absorb massive amounts of damage while delivering precise, overwhelming fire. It is famously described as a “gun with wings,” as the entire airframe was essentially designed to accommodate the massive 30mm GAU-8 Avenger rotary cannon.
The Titanium Bathtub: The pilot sits in a 1,200-lb titanium armored enclosure capable of withstanding direct hits from 23mm armor-piercing shells. Even the cockpit canopy is reinforced against small arms fire.
The GAU-8 Avenger: The cannon is the size of a small car. It is mounted slightly off-center so that the firing barrel is always on the aircraft’s centerline, preventing the recoil (which produces more thrust than one of the engines) from pushing the plane off target.
Engine Placement: The TF34 engines are mounted high and far back. This protects them from ground fire, allows for easy maintenance with simple ladders, and masks their heat signature from ground-based IR-seeking missiles using the tail as a shield.
Triple Redundancy: The A-10 features dual-redundant hydraulic flight systems and a “manual reversion” mechanical backup. If all hydraulics are lost, the pilot can still fly the plane using old-fashioned cables and pulleys.
Combat History: BRRRRRT Across the Decades
Operation Desert Storm: The A-10 became a legend in 1991, destroying over 900 Iraqi tanks, 2,000 other vehicles, and 1,200 artillery pieces. It proved so durable that planes returned to base with large sections of their wings or tails missing.
The “Warthog” Moniker: While the Air Force officially named it “Thunderbolt II,” pilots and crews dubbed it the “Warthog” due to its aggressive, ungainly appearance. The name stuck so well it is now the de facto title for the jet.
Close Air Support (CAS): Unlike fast movers like the F-16, the A-10’s low stall speed and excellent maneuverability allow it to fly “down in the weeds,” identifying friendly and enemy troops visually to prevent friendly fire incidents.
The C-Model Upgrade: In the early 2000s, the A-model was upgraded to the A-10C, adding glass cockpits, digital data links, and the ability to carry precision-guided munitions like the JDAM and Sniper pods, extending its life into the 2030s.
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