The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II ('Warthog'), with its iconic nose-mounted 30mm Gatling Gun, still flies for the modern United States Air Force (USAF) despite its origins as a tank-killing platform of the 1970s. The single-seat, twin-engine product was developed from the outset as a dedicated anti-armor solution capable of carrying an impressive war load into combat making it able to tackle most any armored and unarmored threat on the ground. Armored and well-armed, the platform - which debuted in October of 1977 - has succeeded in its given role for decades and some 287 units still serve with the USAF. Upgrades have kept the system viable for the near-future.
1 CREW
Speed
438 MPH
Ceiling
44,948 FEET
Range
2,579 MILES
Mission Roles
GROUND ATTACK
STRIKE
RECON
Gallery
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Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS imagery database; Public Release.
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Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS imagery database; Public Release.
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Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS imagery database; Public Release.
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Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS imagery database; Public Release.
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Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS imagery database; Public Release.
Operational Range 2,579 miles | 4,150 km | 2,241 nm
Rate-of-Climb 6,000 ft/min | 1,829 m/min
(Showcased performance statistics pertain to the A-10A production model)
Length 53.31 feet (16.25 meters)
Width 57.58 feet (17.55 meters)
Height 14.67 feet (4.47 meters)
(Showcased measurements pertain to the A-10A production model)
Empty 24,956 lb (11,320 kg)
M.T.O.W. 30,391 lb (13,785 kg)
(Showcased weights pertain to the A-10A production model)
STANDARD (Fixed, Forward-Firing):
1 x 30mm GAU-8/A 'Avenger' Gatling-style gun in nose.
OPTIONAL (Mission-Specific):
Up to 11 hardpoints for the carrying of 7-/19-shot rocket pods, Air-to-Surface Missiles (AAMs), Air-to-Air Missiles (AAMs) (Sidewinder), conventional drop bombs (dumb bombs, cluster, munitions dispenser), laser-guided / precision-guided bombs (including JDAM for A-10C), and up to 2 x 600 gallon jettisonable fuel tanks.
A-10C: Special mission pods also supported including LITENING and Sniper XR. Supported Types:
Close-in Gun(s)
Air-to-Air Missiles
Air-to-Surface Missiles
Precision-Guided Bombs
Conventional Drop Bombs
Rockets / Rocket Pods
Additional Fuel
A-10 'Thunderbolt II' - Official USAF designation.
'Warthog' - Unofficial name.
YA-10A - Developmental/Pre-Production model; 12 units completed.
A-10A - Initial production model.
OA-10A - Dedicated Forward Air Control (FAC) variant based in A-models.
YA-10B (N/AW) - Proposed, twin-seat 'Night, Adverse Weather' variant; single prototype from A-10A production stock completed.
A-10C - Modernized A-10A models.
A-10PCAS - Proposed unmanned variant by Aurora Flight Sciences and Raytheon for 'Persistent Close-Air Support' (PCAS) program directed by DARPA; abandoned.
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Close-in Gun(s)
Air-to-Air Missiles
Air-to-Surface Missiles
Precision-Guided Bombs
Conventional Drop Bombs
Rockets / Rocket Pods
Additional Fuel
