Thursday, June 23, 2005

A-10 Thunderbolt II Warthog



A-10/OA-10 THUNDERBOLT II Warthog - Mission: The A/OA-10 Thunderbolt II is 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 combat 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), goggle compatible single-seat cockpits forward of their wings and a large bubble canopy which provides pilots all-around vision. The pilots are protected 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. Manual systems back up their redundant hydraulic flight-control systems. This permits pilots to fly and land when hydraulic power is lost.

A-10 Thunderbolt II Warthog
A-10 Thunderbolt II, (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Robert Wieland)Thunder and lighting 1st Lt. Dale Stark fires an AGM-65 Maverick missile from an A-10 Thunderbolt II April 24 over the Pacific Alaska Range Complex during live-fire training. Lieutenant Stark is an A-10 pilot from the 355th Fighter Squadron from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska.
Members from the 355th FS are tasked to provide mission ready A-10s and a search and rescue capability, in Alaska and deployed sites worldwide. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Robert Wieland)

A-10 Thunderbolt II Warthog
FORT POLK, La. -- An A-10 Thunderbolt II drops several flares after destroying a ground target during a live-fire engagement as part of Air Warrior II here. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephen Otero)FORT POLK, La. -- An A-10 Thunderbolt II drops several flares after destroying a ground target during a live-fire engagement as part of Air Warrior II here. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephen Otero)
The newly designed C-model A-10 Thunderbolt II was flown for the first time here Jan. 20. The aircraft, modified with precision engagement technology, can now accept more high-value target missions.

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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 heads-up displays that indicate airspeed, altitude, dive angle, navigation information and weapons aiming references; 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. Installation of the Global Positioning System is currently underway for all aircraft.

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.

Related: Public Domain Clip Art Archive June - July 2005 and Aircraft

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