You know that:
- The Thunderbolt was developed in the late 1970s based on a US Army requirement for the delivery of heavily armed aircraft capable of low-altitude battlefield operations, tank destruction, bunker busting, and high survivability ground fire.
- The official designation is the Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II, but in the Air Force the nickname "Warhog" is most often used for the aircraft's appearance.
- The first deployment occurred during Operation Desert Storm, when the aircraft flew 8,100 missions, destroying 987 tanks, 926 artillery batteries, 501 armoured vehicles and 72 bunkers.
- The undercarriage legs retract fully into the fuselage but remain partially extended to allow the aircraft to land on its belly even when damaged by ground fire.
- The pilot is seated in a titanium tub weighing 770 kg, which protects against 37 mm anti-aircraft cannon shells.
- The aircraft is fitted with a rotary cannon with a rate of fire of 6000 rounds per minute.
- Thanks to its extremely high accuracy, 80% of the missiles hit a 5.2 m diameter circle at a distance of 1800 m.
- Firing the A-10 is not cheap, with a 2-second burst costing about 1 700 €.
- After modernization, Thunderbolts will fly until 2035.
- The upgraded aircraft are equipped with perhaps the best night vision system in the world, combining visual perception with surround sound.
- A total of 716 have been produced in various versions.
Technical parameters:
- dimensions: span 17.42 m, length 16.16 m, height 4.42 m
- take-off weight 13 782 kg (23 000 kg max.)
- powerplant 2x GE TF34-GE100A jet engine with 40.32 kN thrust
- maximum speed 676 km/h
- range 1 287 km km
- maximum flight level 13 636 m
- climb rate 30 m/s
- armament GAU-8/A Avenger 30 mm rotary cannon with 1,350 rounds and 11 underwing and fuselage mountings for Sidewinder, Mark 82, BLU-1, or Hydra missiles
- crew 1 person
American pilot of the 23rd USAF Wing about the A-10:
"It is the best ground support aircraft in the world. As durable as a metal pit bull and as versatile as a knife that fits in any kitchen."
Assembly instructions
