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Fairchild A-10A Thunderbolt II |
Fairchild A-10A Thunderbolt II |
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In 1967, the USAF originated
its A-X program for a new CAS (close air
support) warplane with anti-armor capability.
The A-X was expected to be lethal against main
battle tanks and to stay as
long as possible in the battlefield zone.
Prototype awards were issued for the Northrop
A-9A, and the Fairchild A-10A, the latter
becoming the USAF's A-X choice on January 18,
1973.
The Fairchild A-10A
Thunderbolt II is
uniquely dedicated to a single mission -killing
tanks, the A-10A is built around a single 30 mm
cannon which can disable a main battle tank from
a distance of 6.580 m. The A-10A a compromise
between weapons-carrying capability and
affordable cost, is well-armored for protection
of pilot and systems. The pilot is shielded by a
bulletproof wind screen and encircled by a
titanium armor "bath tub" which weights 544 kg
and varies in thickness up to 3,8 cm. The A-10A
can survive if some parts were shot away by
enemy fire.
The first
pre-production A-10A (73-1664) was converted to
YA-10B configuration as the proposed two-seat
trainer version. Following an evaluation by the
manufacturer and the USAF, the project was
abandoned and the YA-10B is placed on display at
Edwards AFB, CA.
Many A-10A's
were redesigned for Forward Air Control (FAC)
duties OA-10A, the prefix O means observer. |
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Specifications:
A-10A Thunderbolt |
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Developing Nation: |
United States. |
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Task: |
Kill enemy tanks
/ Forward Air Control. |
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First Flight: |
Prototype:
May 10, 1972.
YA-10A cn/71-1369.
Production:
A-10A October 21,
1975.
YA-10B May 4,
1979. |
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First Delivery: |
February 1976.
Last delivery:
March 1984. |
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Crew: |
1. |
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Ejection seat: |
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Wing Span: |
17,53 m. |
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Length: |
16,26 m. |
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Height: |
5,74 m. |
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Engine (s): |
General Electric
TF34-GE-100 (2x). |
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Weight: |
9.771 kg. |
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Fuel/Payload: |
Max. internal
fuel: 4.853 kg.
External fuel: up
to three 2.271 liters drop-tanks.
Max. Payload:
7.250 kg. |
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Max.Take off weight: |
22.680 kg. |
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Max. Speed: |
834 km/h. |
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Max. Range: |
3.949 km. |
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Weapons: |
- One single
General Electric GAU-8/A 30mm - Avenger cannon
(1350 rounds).
- AGM-65 Maverick.
- AIM-9M
Sidewinder.
- Conventional
low drag and retarded bombs.
- Cluster bombs.
- The OA/A-10A's
also carry the AN/ALQ-119 ECM pod (US based) or
the AN/ALQ-131 ECM pod (overseas based). |
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The A-10A is only in
service with
the USAF.
Production:
YA-10A 2
713 A-10A
713
(1
A-10A converted
to YA-10B) |
A-10A in
action
Operation
Desert Shield/Storm 1990 - 1991
The USAF
deployed 144 A-10's to the war zone. During the January-
February 1991 fighting, when air superiority was quickly
gained, A-10's were used in various roles. A daytime tank
killer, Scud hunter, suppressed Iraqi air defenses, attacked
early warning radars and even shot down two Iraqi
helicopters with its cannon.
The A10's
were also in action in Deliberate Force August - September
1994 and Allied Force March - June 1999 in former
Yugoslavia. |
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Posters
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