Fairchild
A-10A Thunderbolt (15 pics.)
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
A-10A 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 6580 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.
|
Specifications: A-10A Thunderbolt |
|
Developing Nation: |
United States |
|
Task: |
Kill enemy tanks /
Forward Air Control |
|
First Flight: |
Prototype:
May 10, 1972
YA-10A cn/71-1369
Production:
A-10A October 21, 1975
YA-10B May 4, 1979 |
|
First Delivery: |
February 1976
Last delivery: March
1984 |
|
Crew: |
1 |
|
Ejection seat: |
|
|
Wing Span: |
17,53 m |
|
Length: |
16,26 m |
|
Height: |
5,74 m |
|
Engine (s): |
General Electric
TF34-GE-100 (2x) |
|
Weight: |
9771 kg |
|
Fuel/Payload: |
Max. internal fuel:
4853 kg.
External fuel: up to
three 2271 liters drop-tanks
Max. Payload: 7250 kg. |
|
Max.Take off weight: |
22680 kg |
|
Max. Speed: |
834 km/h |
|
Max. Range: |
3949 km |
|
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) |
|
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.
Research:
Rob Vogelaar.
Last page update:
07-Nov-2007
© zap16.com
