Four Factors That Make the A-10 Thunderbolt II Hard to Replace

the A-10 Thunderbolt II - a highlySuccessful Close Air Support Aircraft

• Efficiency

• Armament

• Protection

• Camouflage

Straight-wingHighly maneuverableClose air supportPowered by 2 turbofans

Heavily armored, flying low and slow over the battlefield, loitering for long periods of time searching for target opportunities, or answering calls for air support from ground troops.

1. Efficiency

Because the Warthog can operate from a short runway, and the ease of its maintenance, it can remain near the front lines. This enables the A-10 to be a superior close air support platform.

1. Efficiency• Crew of 1 - Pilot

• Can operate from short, rough runways, and straight roads

• Interchangeable parts from left to right sides like engines, landing gear, and stabilizers

• Rearmed, refueled, and serviced with minimal equipment

Aircraft skin Isnot load bearing

Damaged body panels can be patched and replaced in the field.

2. Armament

• 6 Infrared Guided AGM-65 Mavericks - air to surface missiles

• 2 AIM-9 Sidewinders - air to air missiles

• 1 GAU-8/A Avenger 30 mm Gatling Cannon

• Fires from tube at 9 o’clock position which is in line with the center of the aircraft

• 4200 rounds per minute of depleted uranium armor-piercing shells

30 mm cannon

3. Protection

The Warthog’s construction makes it exceptionally tough. To protect the pilot as well as part of the redundant hydraulic flight controls system, most of the plane is surrounded by a tub made of titanium armor.

3. protection • Redundant hydraulic flight control system

• .5 - 1.5 inch thick titanium armor tub surrounds pilot and flight control system

• Pilot’s canopy and front windscreen is resistant to small arms fire

• Durable - survive direct hits of armor piercing and high explosive projectiles

• Can still fly with one engine, missing a stabalizer, and part of a wing

4. Camouflage

Most A-10 Thunderbolts have the Compass Ghost paint pattern. This is a two-tone gray paint scheme - a light gray bottom to blend better with the sky, and a darker gray top to hide it from above.

False canopy

Often, the A-10 will have a false canopy painted in dark gray on the bottom of the fuselage to confuse the enemy of the aircraft’s altitude and direction.

not retiring anytime soon

Though scheduled for retirement multiple times, every time it is given the opportunity to perform its mission, the A-10 proves its worth.

The A-10 is cheaper to maintain than other alternative platforms and will answer the call for close air support for many years to come.

upgrades toavionics, wings, and

other vital parts

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