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The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is an American twin-engine, straight-wing jet aircraft developed by Fairchild-Republic in the early 1970s. The only United States Air Force aircraft designed solely for close air support of ground forces, the A-10 was built to attack tanks, armored vehicles, and other ground targets with limited air defenses.
The A-10 was designed around the GAU-8 Avenger, a 30 mm rotary cannon that is the airplane’s primary armament and the heaviest such automatic cannon mounted on an aircraft. The A-10′s airframe was designed for survivability, with measures such as 1,200 pounds (540 kg) of titanium armor[4] for protection of the cockpit and aircraft systems that enables the aircraft to continue flying after taking significant damage. The A-10A single-seat variant was the only version built, though one A-10A was converted to the A-10B twin-seat version. In 2005, a program was begun to upgrade A-10A aircraft to the A-10C configuration.
The A-10′s official name comes from the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt of World War II, a fighter that was particularly effective at close air support. The A-10 is more commonly known by its nicknames “Warthog” or “Hog”. It also has a secondary mission, where it provides airborne forward air control, directing other aircraft in attacks on ground targets. Aircraft used primarily in this role are designated OA-10. With a variety of upgrades and wing replacements, the A-10′s service life may be extended to 2028.
| A-10 Thunderbolt II | |
|---|---|
 | |
| An A-10 from the 81st Fighter Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany | |
| Role | Fixed-wing close air support, forward air control, and ground-attack aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Fairchild Republic |
| First flight | 10 May 1972 |
| Introduction | March 1977 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary user | United States Air Force |
| Produced | 1972–1984[1] |
| Number built | 716[2] |
| Unit cost | US$11.8 million (average, 1994 dollars)[3] |
Development
Background
Criticism that the U.S. Air Force did not take close air support (CAS) seriously prompted a few service members to seek a specialized attack aircraft.[5][6] In the Vietnam War, large numbers of ground-attack aircraft were shot down by small arms, surface-to-air missiles, and low-level anti-aircraft gunfire, prompting the development of an aircraft better able to survive such weapons. In addition, the UH-1 Iroquois and AH-1 Cobra helicopters of the day, which USAF commanders had said should handle close air support, were ill-suited for use against armor, carrying only anti-personnel machine guns and unguided rockets meant for soft targets. Fast jets such as the F-100 Super Sabre, F-105 Thunderchief and F-4 Phantom II proved for the most part to be ineffective for close air support because their high speed did not allow pilots enough time to get an accurate fix on ground targets and they lacked sufficient loiter time. The effective, but aging, Korean War era, A-1 Skyraider was the USAF’s primary close air support aircraft.[7][8]
A-X program
In 1966, the USAF formed the Attack Experimental (A-X) program office.[9] On 6 March 1967, the Air Force released a request for information to 21 defense contractors for the A-X. The objective was to create a design study for a low-cost attack aircraft.[6] In 1969, the Secretary of the Air Force asked Pierre Sprey to write the detailed specifications for the proposed A-X project. However, his initial involvement was kept secret because of Sprey’s earlier controversial involvement in the F-X project.[6] Sprey’s discussions with A-1 Skyraider pilots operating in Vietnam and analysis of aircraft currently used in the role indicated the ideal aircraft should have long loiter time, low-speed maneuverability, massive cannon firepower, and extreme survivability;[6] an aircraft that had the best elements of the Ilyushin Il-2, Henschel Hs 129, and Skyraider. The specifications also demanded that each aircraft cost less than $3 million.[6] Sprey required that the biography of World War II attack pilot Hans-Ulrich Rudel be read by people on the A-X program.[10]
In May 1970, the USAF issued a modified and much more detailed request for proposals (RFP) for the aircraft. The threat of Soviet armored forces and all-weather attack operations had become more serious. Now included in the requirements was that the aircraft would be designed specifically for the 30 mm cannon. The RFP also specified an aircraft with a maximum speed of 460 mph (400 kn; 740 km/h), takeoff distance of 4,000 feet (1,200 m), external load of 16,000 pounds (7,300 kg), 285-mile (460 km) mission radius, and a unit cost of US$1.4 million.[11] The A-X would be the first Air Force aircraft designed exclusively for close air support.[12] During this time, a separate RFP was released for A-X’s 30 mm cannon with requirements for a high rate of fire (4,000 round/minute) and a high muzzle velocity.[13] Six companies submitted aircraft proposals to the USAF, with Northrop and Fairchild Republic selected to build prototypes: the YA-9A and YA-10A, respectively. General Electric and Philco-Ford were selected to build and test GAU-8 cannon prototypes.[14]
The YA-10A was built in Hagerstown, Maryland and first flew on 10 May 1972. After trials and a fly-off against the YA-9A, the Air Force announced its selection of Fairchild-Republic’s YA-10A on 18 January 1973 for production.[15] General Electric was selected to build the GAU-8 cannon in June 1973.[16] The YA-10 had an additional fly-off in 1974 against the Ling-Temco-Vought A-7D Corsair II, the principal Air Force attack aircraft at the time, in order to prove the need to purchase a new attack aircraft. The first production A-10 flew in October 1975, and deliveries to the Air Force commenced in March 1976. In total, 715 airplanes were produced, the last delivered in 1984.[17]
One experimental two-seat A-10 Night Adverse Weather (N/AW) version was built by converting an A-10A.[18] The N/AW was developed by Fairchild from the first Demonstration Testing and Evaluation (DT&E) A-10 for consideration by the USAF. It included a second seat for a weapons system officer responsible for electronic countermeasures (ECM), navigation and target acquisition. The N/AW version did not interest the USAF or export customers. The two-seat trainer version was ordered by the Air Force in 1981, but funding was canceled by U.S. Congress and the jet was not produced.[19] The only two-seat A-10 built now resides at Edwards Air Force Base’s Flight Test Center Museum.[20]
Upgrades
The A-10 has received many upgrades over the years. Aircraft received the Pave Penny laser receiver pod beginning in 1978. It senses reflected laser radiation from a laser designator on a target for faster and more accurate target identification.[21][22] The A-10 began receiving an inertial navigation system in 1980.[23] Later, the Low-Altitude Safety and Targeting Enhancement (LASTE) upgrade provided computerized weapon-aiming equipment, an autopilot, and a ground-collision warning system. The A-10 is now compatible with night vision goggles for low-light operation. In 1999, aircraft began to receive Global Positioning System navigation systems and a new multi-function display.[24] Its LASTE system is being upgraded with the Integrated Flight & Fire Control Computers (IFFCC).[25]
An A-10A of pre-glass cockpit design
In 2005, the entire A-10 fleet began receiving the Precision Engagement upgrades that include an improved fire control system (FCS), electronic countermeasures (ECM), and the ability to aim smart bombs. The aircraft that receive this upgrade are redesignated A-10C. The C model upgrades were to be completed in 2011.[26] The Government Accounting Office in 2007 estimated the cost of upgrading, refurbishing, and service life extension plans for the A-10 force to total $2.25 billion through 2013.[12][27] The Air Force Material Command’s Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill AFB, Utah completed work on its 100th A-10 precision engagement upgrade in January 2008.[28]
The A-10 is receiving a service life extension program (SLEP) upgrade with many receiving new wings.[29] The service life of the re-winged aircraft is extended to 2040. A contract to build as many as 242 new A-10 wing sets was awarded to Boeing in June 2007.[30] Two A-10s flew in November 2011 with the new wing installed. On 4 September 2013, the Air Force awarded Boeing a follow-on contract of $212 million for 56 replacement wings for the A-10, bring the total on order to 173. The wings will improve mission readiness, decrease maintenance costs, and keep the type operational into 2035.[31] As part of plans to retire the A-10, the Air Force is considering stopping work on the wing replacement program, which would save an additional $500 million along with the total saving of retiring the fleet.[32]
In 2012, Air Combat Command requested the testing of a 600-gallon external fuel tank which would extend the A-10′s loitering time by 45–60 minutes; flight testing of such a tank was conducted in 1997, but did not involve combat evaluation. Over 30 flight tests were conducted by the 40th Flight Test Squadron to gather data on the aircraft’s handling characteristics and performance across different load configurations. The tank slightly reduced stability in the yaw axis, however there is no decrease in aircraft tracking performance.[33]
In July 2010, the USAF issued Raytheon a contract to integrate a Helmet Mounted Integrated Targeting (HMIT) system onto A-10Cs.[27] The Gentex Corporation Scorpion Helmet Mounted Cueing System (HMCS) was also evaluated.[34] In February 2014, SoAF Deborah Lee James ordered that development of Suite 8 software upgrade continue, in response to Congressional pressure. Software upgrades were originally to be ceased due to plans to retire the A-10. Suite 8 software includes IFF Mod 5, which allows friendly units to identify the A-10 as a friendly aircraft.[35]
Other uses
A-10 at RAF Fairford, 2005
On 25 March 2010, an A-10 conducted the first flight of an aircraft with all engines powered by a biofuel blend. The flight, performed at Eglin Air Force Base, used a 1:1 blend of JP-8 and Camelina-based fuel.[36] On 28 June 2012, the A-10 became the first aircraft to fly using a new fuel blend derived from alcohol; known as ATJ (Alcohol-to-Jet), the fuel is cellulousic-based that can be derived using wood, paper, grass, or any cell-based material, and are fermented into alcohols before being hydro-processed into aviation fuel. ATJ is the third alternative fuel to be evaluated by the Air Force as a replacement for petroleum-derived JP-8 fuel. Previous types were a synthetic paraffinic kerosene derived from coal and natural gas and a bio-mass fuel derived from plant-oils and animal fats known as Hydroprocessed Renewable Jet.[37]
In 2011, the National Science Foundation was granted $11 million to modify an A-10 for weather research for CIRPAS at the US Naval Postgraduate School,[38][39] replacing a retired North American T-28 Trojan.[40] The A-10′s armor is expected to allow it to survive the extreme meteorological conditions, such as 200 mph hailstorms, found in inclement high-altitude weather events.[39]
Design
Overview
A-10 inboard profile drawing
The A-10 has superior maneuverability at low speeds and altitude because of its large wing area, high wing aspect ratio, and large ailerons. The high aspect ratio wing also allows short takeoffs and landings, permitting operations from primitive forward airfields near front lines. The aircraft can loiter for extended periods and operate under 1,000 ft (300 m) ceilings with 1.5 mi (2.4 km) visibility. It typically flies at a relatively slow speed of 300 knots (350 mph; 560 km/h), which makes it a much better platform for the ground-attack role than fast fighter-bombers, which often have difficulty targeting small and slow-moving targets.[7]
The leading edge of the wing has honeycomb panel construction to provide strength with minimal weight compromise; similar panels cover the flap shrouds, elevators, rudders and other sections of the fins.[41] The skin panels are integral with the stringers and are fabricated using computer-controlled machining, reducing production time and cost. Combat experience has shown that this type of panel is more resistant to damage. The skin is not load-bearing, so damaged skin sections can be easily replaced in the field, with makeshift materials if necessary.[42] The ailerons are at the far ends of the wings for greater rolling moment and have two distinguishing features: The ailerons are larger than is typical, almost 50% of the wingspan, providing improved control even at slow speeds; the aileron is also split, making it a deceleron.[43][44]
The A-10 is designed to be refueled, rearmed, and serviced with minimal equipment.[45] Also, most repairs can be done in the field.[46] An unusual feature is that many of the aircraft’s parts are interchangeable between the left and right sides, including the engines, main landing gear, and vertical stabilizers. The sturdy landing gear, low-pressure tires and large, straight wings allow operation from short rough strips even with a heavy ordnance load, allowing the aircraft to operate from damaged airbases, flying from taxiways or even straight roadway sections.[47]
Front view of an A-10 showing the 30 mm cannon and offset front landing gear
The front landing gear is offset to the aircraft’s right to allow placement of the 30 mm cannon with its firing barrel along the centerline of the aircraft.[48] During ground taxi, the offset front landing gear causes the A-10 to have dissimilar turning radii. Turning to the right on the ground takes less distance than turning left.[Note 1] The wheels of the main landing gear partially protrude from their nacelles when retracted, making gear-up belly landings easier to control and less damaging to the underside. All landing gears are hinged toward the rear of the aircraft; if hydraulic power is lost, a combination of gravity and wind resistance can open and lock the gear in place.[44]
Durability
The A-10 is exceptionally tough, being able to survive direct hits from armor-piercing and high-explosive projectiles up to 23 mm. The aircraft has double-redundant hydraulic flight systems, and a mechanical system acts as a further back up if hydraulics are lost. Flight without hydraulic power uses the manual reversion flight control system; pitch and yaw control engages automatically, roll control is pilot-selected. In manual reversion mode, the A-10 is sufficiently controllable under favorable conditions to return to base, though control forces are greater than normal. The aircraft is designed to fly with one engine, one tail, one elevator, and half of one wing missing.[49]
The cockpit and parts of the flight-control system are protected by 1,200 lb (540 kg) of titanium armor, referred to as a “bathtub”.[50][51] The armor has been tested to withstand strikes from 23 mm cannon fire and some strikes from 57 mm rounds.[46][50] It is made up of titanium plates with thicknesses from 0.5 to 1.5 inches (13 to 38 mm) determined by a study of likely trajectories and deflection angles. The armor makes up almost 6% of the aircraft’s empty weight. Any interior surface of the tub directly exposed to the pilot is covered by a multi-layer nylon spall shield to protect against shell fragmentation.[52][53] The front windscreen and canopy are resistant to small arms fire.[54]
This A-10 suffered extensive damage during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003
The A-10′s durability was shown on 7 April 2003 when Captain Kim Campbell, while flying an A-10 over Baghdad during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, suffered extensive flak damage. Iraqi fire damaged one of the A-10′s engines and crippled its hydraulic system, which required the aircraft’s stabilizer and flight controls to be operated via the ‘manual reversion mode’. Despite this damage, Campbell flew the aircraft for nearly an hour and landed safely.[55][56]
The A-10 was envisioned to fly from forward air bases and semi-prepared runways with high risk of foreign object damage to the engines. The unusual location of the General Electric TF34-GE-100 turbofan engines decreases ingestion risk, and allows the engines to run while the aircraft is serviced and rearmed by ground crews, reducing turn-around time. The wings are also mounted closer to the ground, simplifying servicing and rearming operations. The heavy engines require strong supports, four bolts connect the engine pylons to the airframe.[57] The engines’ high 6:1 bypass ratio have a relatively small infrared signature, and their position directs exhaust over the tailplanes further shielding it from detection by heat-seeking surface to air missiles. The engines are angled upward by nine degrees to cancel out the nose-down pitching moment they would otherwise generate due to being mounted above the aircraft’s aerodynamic center, avoiding the need to trim the control surfaces against the force.[57]
To reduce the likelihood of damage to the A-10′s fuel system, all four fuel tanks are located near the aircraft’s center and are separated from the fuselage; projectiles would need to penetrate the aircraft’s skin before reaching a tank’s outer skin.[52][53] Compromised fuel transfer lines self-seal; if damage exceeds a tank’s self-sealing capabilities, check valves prevent fuel flowing into a compromised tank. Most fuel system components are inside the tanks so that fuel will not be lost due to component failure. The refueling system is also purged after use.[58] Reticulated polyurethane foam lines both the inner and outer sides of the fuel tanks, retaining debris and restricting fuel spillage in the event of damage. The engines are shielded from the rest of the airframe by firewalls and fire extinguishing equipment. In the event of all four main tanks being lost, two self-sealing sump tanks contain fuel for 230 miles (370 km) of flight.[52][53]
Weapons
A side-view drawing of the A-10′s GAU-8/A Avenger gun and its approximate location in the fuselage
Although the A-10 can carry considerable disposable stores, its primary built-in weapon is the 30 mm GAU-8/A Avenger Gatling-type cannon. One of the most powerful aircraft cannons ever flown, it fires large depleted uranium armor-piercing shells. In the original design, the pilot could switch between two rates of fire: 2,100 or 4,200 rounds per minute;[59] this was changed to a fixed rate of 3,900 rounds per minute.[60] The cannon takes about half a second to come up to speed, so 50 rounds are fired during the first second, 65 or 70 rounds per second thereafter. The gun is accurate enough to place 80% of its shots within a 40-foot (12.4 m) diameter circle from 4,000 feet (1,220 m) while in flight.[61] The GAU-8 is optimized for a slant range of 4,000 feet (1,220 m) with the A-10 in a 30 degree dive.[62]
Another view of the A-10′s GAU-8 installation
The fuselage of the aircraft is built around the cannon. The GAU-8/A is mounted slightly to the port side; the barrel in the firing location is on the starboard side at the 9 o’clock position so it is aligned with the aircraft’s centerline. The gun’s 5-foot, 11.5-inch (1.816 m) ammunition drum can hold up to 1,350 rounds of 30 mm ammunition,[48] but generally holds 1,174 rounds.[62] To prevent enemy fire from causing the GAU-8/A rounds to fire prematurely, armor plates of differing thicknesses between the aircraft skin and the drum are designed to detonate incoming shells.[48][53] A final armor layer around the drum protects it from fragmentation damage. The gun is loaded by Syn-Tech’s linked tube carrier GFU-7/E 30 mm ammunition loading assembly cart.
The AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missile is a commonly-used munition, targeted via electro-optical (TV-guided) or infrared. The Maverick allows target engagement at much greater ranges than the cannon, and thus less risk from anti-aircraft systems. During Desert Storm, in the absence of dedicated forward-looking infrared (FLIR) cameras for night vision, the Maverick’s infrared camera was used for night missions as a “poor man’s FLIR”.[63] Other weapons include cluster bombs and Hydra rocket pods.[64] Although the A-10 is equipped to carry laser-guided bombs, their use is relatively uncommon.[65] A-10s usually fly with an ALQ-131 ECM pod under one wing and two AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles under the other wing for self-defense.[66]
Modernization
The A-10 Precision Engagement Modification Program will update 356 A-10/OA-10s to the A-10C variant with a new flight computer, new glass cockpit displays and controls, two new 5.5-inch (140 mm) color displays with moving map function and an integrated digital stores management system.[12][27]
Other funded improvements to the A-10 fleet include a new data link, the ability to employ smart weapons such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition (“JDAM”) and Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser, and the ability to carry an integrated targeting pod such as the Northrop Grumman LITENING targeting pod or the Lockheed Martin Sniper XR Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP). Also included is the Remotely Operated Video Enhanced Receiver (ROVER) to provide sensor data to personnel on the ground.[26]
Colors and markings
A-10 Thunderbolt II, fully armed
Since the A-10 flies low to the ground and at subsonic speed, aircraft camouflage is important to make the aircraft more difficult to see. Many different types of paint schemes have been tried. These have included a “peanut scheme” of sand, yellow and field drab; black and white colors for winter operations and a tan, green and brown mixed pattern.[67] Many A-10s also featured a false canopy painted in dark gray on the underside of the aircraft, just behind the gun. This form of automimicry is an attempt to confuse the enemy as to aircraft attitude and maneuver direction.[68][69] Many A-10s feature nose art, such as shark mouth or warthog head features.
The two most common markings applied to the A-10 have been the European I woodland camouflage scheme and a two-tone gray scheme. The European woodland scheme was designed to minimize visibility from above, as the threat from hostile fighter aircraft was felt to outweigh that from ground-fire. It uses dark green, medium green and dark gray in order to blend in with the typical European forest terrain and was used from the 1980s to the early 1990s. Following the end of the Cold War, and based on experience during the 1991 Gulf War, the air-to-air threat was no longer seen to be as important as that from ground fire, and a new color scheme known as “Compass Ghost” was chosen to minimize visibility from below. This two-tone gray scheme has darker gray color on top, with the lighter gray on the underside of the aircraft, and started to be applied from the early 1990s.[70]
Operational history
Introduction
Arkansas Air National Guard A-10C firing an AGM-65 air-to-surface missile on a firing range at Davis-Monthan AFB
The first unit to receive the A-10 Thunderbolt II was the 355th Tactical Training Wing, based at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, in March 1976. The first unit to achieve full combat-readiness was the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing at Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina, in 1978. Deployments of A-10As followed at bases both at home and abroad, including England AFB, Louisiana; Eielson AFB, Alaska; Osan Air Base, South Korea; and RAF Bentwaters/RAF Woodbridge, England. The 81st TFW of RAF Bentwaters/RAF Woodbridge operated rotating detachments of A-10s at four bases in Germany known as Forward Operating Locations (FOLs): Leipheim, Sembach Air Base, Nörvenich, and Ahlhorn.[71]
A-10s were initially an unwelcome addition to many in the Air Force. Most pilots switching to the A-10 did not want to because fighter pilots traditionally favored speed and appearance.[72] In 1987, many A-10s were shifted to the forward air control (FAC) role and redesignated OA-10.[73] In the FAC role the OA-10 is typically equipped with up to six pods of 2.75 inch (70 mm) Hydra rockets, usually with smoke or white phosphorus warheads used for target marking. OA-10s are physically unchanged and remain fully combat capable despite the redesignation.[74]
Gulf War and Balkans
A-10A during Desert Storm, 1992
The A-10 was used in combat for the first time during the Gulf War in 1991, destroying more than 900 Iraqi tanks, 2,000 other military vehicles and 1,200 artillery pieces, making it by far the most effective aircraft of the war.[5] A-10s also shot down two Iraqi helicopters with the GAU-8 cannon. The first of these was shot down by Captain Robert Swain over Kuwait on 6 February 1991, marking the A-10′s first air-to-air victory.[75] Four A-10s were shot down during the war, all by surface-to-air missiles. Another three battle-damaged A-10s and OA-10As returned to base but were written off, some sustaining additional damage in crashed landings.[76][77] The A-10 had a mission capable rate of 95.7%, flew 8,100 sorties, and launched 90% of the AGM-65 Maverick missiles fired in the conflict.[78] Shortly after the Gulf War, the Air Force gave up on the idea of replacing the A-10 with a close air support version of the F-16.[79]
An A-10A during Operation Allied Force
U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft fired approximately 10,000 30 mm rounds in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1994–95. Following the seizure of some heavy weapons by Bosnian Serbs from a warehouse in Ilidža, a series of sorties were launched to locate and destroy the captured equipment. On 5 August 1994, two A-10s located and strafed an anti-tank vehicle. Afterward, the Serbs agreed to return remaining heavy weapons.[80] In August 1995, NATO launched an offensive called Operation Deliberate Force. A-10s flew close air support missions, attacking Bosnian Serb artillery and positions. In late September, A-10s began flying patrols again.[81]
A-10s returned to the Balkan region as part of Operation Allied Force in Kosovo beginning in March 1999.[81] In March 1999, A-10s escorted and supported search and rescue helicopters in finding a downed F-117 pilot.[82] The A-10s were deployed to support search and rescue missions, but the Warthogs began to receive more ground attack missions as the days passed. The A-10′s first successful attack in Operation Allied Force happened on 6 April 1999; A-10s remained in action until combat ended in late June 1999.[83]
Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya wars
A-10 over Afghanistan, 2011
During the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan, A-10s did not take part in the initial stages. For the campaign against Taliban and Al Qaeda, A-10 squadrons were deployed to Pakistan and Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, beginning in March 2002. These A-10s participated in Operation Anaconda. Afterwards, A-10s remained in-country, fighting Taliban and Al Qaeda remnants.[84]
Operation Iraqi Freedom began on 20 March 2003. Sixty OA-10/A-10 aircraft took part in early combat there.[85] United States Air Forces Central issued Operation Iraqi Freedom: By the Numbers, a declassified report about the aerial campaign in the conflict on 30 April 2003. During that initial invasion of Iraq, A-10s had a mission capable rate of 85% in the war and fired 311,597 rounds of 30 mm ammunition. A single A-10 was shot down near Baghdad International Airport by Iraqi fire late in the campaign. The A-10 also flew 32 missions in which the aircraft dropped propaganda leaflets over Iraq.[86]
A-10s at Tallil Air Base, Iraq of the Air Force Reserve Command’s 442nd Fighter Wing, in 2009
The A-10C first deployed to Iraq in the third quarter of 2007 with the 104th Fighter Squadron of the Maryland Air National Guard. The jets include the Precision Engagement Upgrade.[87] The A-10C’s digital avionics and communications systems have greatly reduced the time to acquire a close air support target and attack it.[88]
A-10s flew 32 percent of combat sorties in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The sorties ranged from 27,800 to 34,500 annually between 2009 and 2012. In the first half of 2013, they flew 11,189 sorties in Afghanistan.[89]
In March 2011, six A-10s were deployed as part of Operation Odyssey Dawn, the coalition intervention in Libya. They participated in attacks on Libyan ground forces there.[90][91]
On 24 July 2013, a pair of A-10s protected an ambushed convoy, supporting the evacuation efforts of wounded soldiers under hostile fire. Ground forces communicated an estimated location of enemy forces to the pilots, after which the lead aircraft, relying on visual references, fired two rockets to mark the area to guide cannon fire from the second A-10. The attackers moved closer to the soldiers, which prevented helicopter evacuation, leading to the convoy commander authorizing the A-10s to provide dangerously close fire. The aircraft conducted strafing runs, flying 75 ft above the enemy’s position and 50 meters parallel to friendly ground forces, completing 15 gun passes firing nearly 2,300 rounds and dropping three 500 lb bombs. This engagement was typical of close-air support missions the A-10 was designed for.[92]
Proposed retirement
 | This section may be too long and excessively detailed. Please consider summarizing the material while citing sources as needed. |
In 2007, the A-10 was expected to be in USAF service until 2028 and possibly later,[93] when it may be replaced by the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.[29] Critics have said that replacing the A-10 with the F-35 would be a “giant leap backwards” given the A-10′s performance and the F-35′s rising costs.[94] In 2012, the Air Force considered the F-35B STOVL variant as a replacement CAS aircraft, but concluded that the aircraft could not generate sufficient sorties.[95] In 2012, the USAF proposed disbanding five A-10 squadrons in its budget request to cut its fleet of 348 A-10s by 102 to lessen cuts to multi-mission aircraft. While the F-35 is expected to be less effective as the A-10 at air support, the service wants to maximize the versatility of its limited number of aircraft.[96]
In August 2013, Congress and the Air Force examined various proposals, including the F-35 and the MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle filling the A-10′s role. Proponents state that the A-10′s armor and cannon are superior to aircraft such as the F-35, that guided munitions could be jammed; and that ground commanders frequently request A-10 support.[89] In the Air Force’s FY 2015 budget, the service is considering retiring the A-10 and other single-mission aircraft, prioritizing multi-mission aircraft; cutting a whole fleet and its infrastructure is seen as the only method for major savings. Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve members argued that allocating all A-10s to their control would achieve savings; half of the fleet is operated by the Air National Guard. The U.S. Army also expressed interest in obtaining A-10s.[97][98]
The U.S. Air Force has stated that the A-10′s retirement would save $3.7 billion from 2015 to 2019. Guided munitions allow more aircraft to perform the close air support mission and has reduced the requirement for a specialized CAS aircraft; since 2001, multirole aircraft and bombers have performed 80 percent of CAS missions. The A-10 is also more vulnerable to sophisticated anti-aircraft defenses like man-portable air-defense systems. Platforms such as the F-35A can employ guided munitions to support ground forces and use sophisticated sensors and countermeasures to be less vulnerable to ground fire. The Army has stated that the A-10 is invaluable for its versatile weapons loads and psychological impact, and has reduced logistics needs on ground support systems like artillery.[99]
On 13 November 2013, the Straus Military Reform Project and the Project on Government Oversight hosted an event that included a discussion of close air support. Pierre Sprey, who helped design the A-10 and F-16, listed A-10 deficiencies including thrust, maneuverability, and size. He envisions a future CAS aircraft being smaller and turning tighter to reduce time between attack runs. Other improvements could include lighter armor and more powerful engines; the cannon could have a faster initial firing rate and use new types of ammunition.[100]
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 prohibited the Air Force from spending money during FY 2014 on retiring the A-10; it did not change scheduled reductions of two aircraft per month, reducing the operational total to 283.[101] On 27 January 2014, General Mike Hostage, head of Air Combat Command, stated that while other aircraft in the A-10′s role may not be as good, they were more viable in environments where the A-10 was potentially useless; and that retaining the A-10 would mean cuts being imposed on other areas.[102] Equivalent cost saving measures include cutting the entire B-1 Lancer bomber fleet or 350 F-16s; the F-16 fleet would either be reduced by a third or perform most CAS missions until the F-35 becomes fully operational.[103] On 24 February 2014, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel introduced a budget plan, retiring the A-10 to fund the F-35A.[104][105] The A-10 is to be retired over five years, beginning with the active force.[106] A version of the Air Force FY 2015 budget avoids the A-10′s retirement if sequestration cuts are repealed.[107]
Variants
A newly updated A-10C arrives at Davis-Monthan AFB, 29 November 2006.
- YA-10A
- Pre-production variant. 12 were built.[108]
- A-10A
- Single-seat close air support, ground-attack version.
- OA-10A
- A-10As used for airborne forward air control.
- YA-10B Night/Adverse Weather
- Two-seat experimental prototype, for work at night and in bad weather. The one YA-10B prototype was converted from an A-10A.[109]
- A-10C
- A-10As updated under the incremental Precision Engagement (PE) program.[26]
- A-10PCAS
- Proposed unmanned version developed by Raytheon and Aurora Flight Sciences as part of DARPA’s Persistent Close Air Support program.[110] The PCAS program eventually dropped the idea of using an optionally manned A-10.[111]
- Civilian A-10
- Proposed by the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology to replace its North American T-28 Trojan thunderstorm penetration aircraft. The A-10 would have its military engines, avionics, and oxygen system replaced by civilian versions. The engines and airframe would receive protection from hail, and the GAU-8 Avenger would be replaced with ballast or scientific instruments.[112]
Operators
An A-10 Thunderbolt II banks left after refueling
The A-10 has been flown exclusively by the United States Air Force and its Air Reserve components, the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) and the Air National Guard (ANG). The USAF operated 345 A-10 and OA-10 aircraft (191 in active duty, 106 in ANG, and 48 in AFRC, all variants) as of September 2011.[113]
- United States Air Force
- 23d Wing: Moody Air Force Base, Georgia
- 74th Fighter Squadron
- 75th Fighter Squadron
- 51st Fighter Wing: Osan Air Base, South Korea
- 25th Fighter Squadron
- 53d Wing: Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
- 422d Test and Evaluation Squadron (Geographically Separated Unit at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada)
- 57th Wing: Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada
- 66th Weapons Squadron
- 355th Wing: Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona
- 354th Fighter Squadron
- 357th Fighter Squadron
- 358th Fighter Squadron
Four A-10s of the 111th Fighter Wing, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, fly in formation during a refueling mission.
- Air National Guard
- 122d Fighter Wing (formerly 358th Fighter Group): Fort Wayne, Indiana
- 163d Fighter Squadron
- 124th Fighter Wing: Boise Air Terminal, Idaho
- 190th Fighter Squadron
- 127th Wing at Selfridge ANGB, Michigan
- 107th Fighter Squadron
- 175th Wing: Warfield ANGB, Martin State Airport, Maryland
- 104th Fighter Squadron
- 188th Fighter Wing: Fort Smith, Arkansas (Transiting to General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper by summer 2014)
- 184th Fighter Squadron
- Air Force Reserve Command
- 442d Fighter Wing: Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri
- 442d Operations Group
- 303d Fighter Squadron
- 476th Fighter Group (Geographically Separated Unit (GSU) of 442 FW at Moody AFB, Georgia)
- 76th Fighter Squadron (Moody AFB, Georgia)
- 442d Operations Group
- 944th Fighter Wing: Luke AFB, Arizona
- 924th Fighter Group (GSU of 944 FW at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona)
- 45th Fighter Squadron (GSU of 944 FW at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona)
- 924th Fighter Group (GSU of 944 FW at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona)
USAF A-10A showing kill markings from Desert Storm, 1991
Former operators
- United States Air Force
- 10th Tactical Fighter Wing: RAF Alconbury, United Kingdom operated A-10s during 1988–1992
- 509th Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 511th Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 52d Fighter Wing: Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany
- 81st Fighter Squadron (inactivated 18 June 2013)[114]
- 81st Tactical Fighter Wing: RAF Bentwaters/RAF Woodbridge, United Kingdom operated A-10s from June 1979 to April 1993
- 78th Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 91st Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 92d Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 509th Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 511th Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 354th Tactical Fighter Wing: Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina operated A-10s during 1977–1993
- 353d Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 355th Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 356th Tactical Fighter Squadron
343rd Tactical Fighter Wing/Composite Wing, 18th Tactical fighter Squadron, Eielson AFB, Alaska, 1982-1991
- Air Force Reserve Command
- 917th Fighter Group: (GSU of 442 FW at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana) (inactivated September 2013)
- 47th Fighter Squadron
- 926th Fighter Wing: NAS JRB New Orleans, Louisiana
- 706th Fighter Squadron (926 FW and 706 FS inactivated in 2007 due to BRAC 2005)
- Air National Guard
- 103d Fighter Wing: Bradley ANGB, Connecticut (BRAC 2005 removed A-10 aircraft, redesignated as 103d Airlift Wing and given C-21 in 2007)
- 118th Fighter Squadron (redesignated 118th Airlift Squadron per BRAC 2005)
- 104th Fighter Wing: Barnes ANGB, Massachusetts (BRAC 2005 saw unit transition from A-10 to F-15C in 2007)
- 131st Fighter Squadron
- 110th Airlift Wing – Battle Creek, Michigan – Operated A-10A and A-10Cs 1991–2008 BRAC 2005 changed unit to C-21s 2008–2012
- 172d Fighter Squadron
- 111th Fighter Wing: NAS JRB Willow Grove/Willow Grove ARS, Pennsylvania (unit lost last aircraft June 2010 as per 2005 BRAC)
- 103d Fighter Squadron
- 115th Fighter Wing: Truax Field, Wisconsin (Operated A-10s from 1981-1993, transitioned to F-16C/D block 30 in 1993)
- 176th Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 174th Fighter Wing: Hancock Field, New York (Transitioned to F-16As in 1988)
- 138th Fighter Squadron
Aircraft on display
- YA-10A
- 71-1370 – Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Hampton, Virginia[115]
- YA-10B
- 73-1664 – Air Force Flight Test Center Museum, Edwards AFB, California[116]
- A-10A
- 73-1666 – Hill Aerospace Museum, Hill AFB, Utah[117]
- 73-1667 – England AFB, Louisiana[118]
- 75-0263 – Empire State Aerosciences Museum, Glenville, New York[119]
- 75-0270 – McChord Air Museum, McChord AFB, Washington[120]
- 75-0293 – Wings of Eagles Discovery Center, Elmira, New York[121]
- 75-0288 – Air Force Armament Museum, Eglin AFB, Florida[122]
- 75-0298 – Pima Air & Space Museum (adjacent to Davis-Monthan AFB), Tucson, Arizona[123]
- 75-0305 – Museum of Aviation, Robins AFB, Warner Robins, Georgia[124]
- 75-0308 – Pope AFB, North Carolina[125]
- 76-0516 – Harold F. Pitcairn “Wings of Freedom” Aviation Museum, Horsham, Pennsylvania.[126]
- 76-0530 – Whiteman AFB, Missouri[127]
- 76-0535 – Cradle of Aviation, Garden City, New York[128]
- 76-0540 – Aerospace Museum of California, Sacramento, California[129]
- 76-0547 – Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas
- 77-0205 – USAF Academy Collection, Colorado Springs, Colorado[130]
- 77-0228 – Grissom Air Museum, Grissom ARB, Peru, Indiana[131]
- 77-0244 – Wisconsin Air National Guard Museum, Volk Field ANGB, Wisconsin[132]
- 77-0252 (nose section only) – Cradle of Aviation, Garden City, New York[133]
- 78-0681 – National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio[134]
- 78-0687 – Fort Campbell, Kentucky[135]
- 79-0079 – Warbird Park, former Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina[136]
- 79-0100 – Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield, Massachusetts[137]
- 79-0173 – New England Air Museum, Windsor Locks, Connecticut[138]
- 80-0708 – Selfridge Military Air Museum, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Harrison Township, Michigan[139]
- 80-0219 – RAF Alconbury, Huntingdon, England
Specifications (A-10A)
 A-10′s 30 mm GAU-8 Avenger cannon The Pave Penny pod An A-10 firing its 30 mm GAU-8 Gatling gun during testing |
Data from The Great Book of Modern Warplanes,[140] Fairchild-Republic A/OA-10,[141] USAF[78]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 53 ft 4 in (16.26 m)
- Wingspan: 57 ft 6 in (17.53 m)
- Height: 14 ft 8 in (4.47 m)
- Wing area: 506 ft² (47.0 m²)
- Airfoil: NACA 6716 root, NACA 6713 tip
- Empty weight: 24,959 lb (11,321 kg)
- Loaded weight: 30,384 lb (13,782 kg)
CAS mission: 47,094 lb (21,361 kg)
Anti-armor mission: 42,071 lb (19,083 kg) - Max. takeoff weight: 50,000 lb (23,000 kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × General Electric TF34-GE-100A turbofans, 9,065 lbf (40.32 kN) each
Performance
- Never exceed speed: 450 knots (518 mph,[141] 833 km/h) at 5,000 ft (1,500 m) with 18 Mk 82 bombs[142]
- Maximum speed: 381 knots (439 mph, 706 km/h) at sea level, clean[141]
- Cruise speed: 300 knots (340 mph, 560 km/h)
- Stall speed: 120 knots (138 mph, 220 km/h) [143]
- Combat radius:
- CAS mission: 250 nmi (288 mi, 460 km) at 1.88 hour loiter at 5,000 ft (1,500 m), 10 min combat
- Anti-armor mission: 252 nmi (290 mi, 467 km), 40 nmi (45 mi, 75 km)) sea-level penetration and exit, 30 min combat
- Ferry range: 2,240 nmi (2,580 mi, 4,150 km) with 50 knot (55 mph, 90 km/h) headwinds, 20 minutes reserve
- Service ceiling: 45,000 ft (13,700 m)
- Rate of climb: 6,000 ft/min (30 m/s)
- Wing loading: 99 lb/ft² (482 kg/m²)
- Thrust/weight: 0.36
Armament
- Guns: 1× 30 mm (1.18 in) GAU-8/A Avenger Gatling cannon with 1,174 rounds (Capacity 1,350)
- Hardpoints: 11 (8× under-wing and 3× under-fuselage pylon stations) with a capacity of 16,000 lb (7,260 kg) and provisions to carry combinations of:
- Rockets:
- 4× LAU-61/LAU-68 rocket pods (each with 19× / 7× Hydra 70 mm rockets, respectively)
- 4× LAU-5003 rocket pods (each with 19× CRV7 70 mm rockets)
- 6× LAU-10 rocket pods (each with 4× 127 mm (5.0 in) Zuni rockets)
- Missiles:
- 2× AIM-9 Sidewinders air-to-air missiles for self-defense
- 6× AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missiles
- Bombs:
- Mark 80 series of unguided iron bombs or
- Mk 77 incendiary bombs or
- BLU-1, BLU-27/B Rockeye II, Mk20, BL-755[144] and CBU-52/58/71/87/89/97 cluster bombs or
- Paveway series of Laser-guided bombs or
- Joint Direct Attack Munition (A-10C)[145]or
- Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser (A-10C)
- Other:
- SUU-42A/A Flares/Infrared decoys and chaff dispenser pod or
- AN/ALQ-131 or AN/ALQ-184 ECM pods or
- Lockheed Martin Sniper XR or LITENING targeting pods (A-10C) or
- 2× 600 US gallon Sargent Fletcher drop tanks for increased range/loitering time.
- Rockets:
Avionics
- AN/AAS-35(V) Pave Penny laser tracker pod[146] (mounted beneath right side of cockpit) for use with Paveway LGBs
- Head-up display (HUD) for improved technical flying and air-to-ground support.[147]
Notable appearances in media
Nicknames
The A-10 Thunderbolt II received its popular nickname “Warthog” from the pilots and crews of the USAF attack squadrons who flew and maintained it. The A-10 is the last of Republic’s jet attack aircraft to serve with the USAF. The Republic F-84 Thunderjet was nicknamed the “Hog”, F-84F Thunderstreak nicknamed “Superhog”, and the Republic F-105 Thunderchief tagged “Ultra Hog”.[148] The saying Go Ugly Early has been associated with the aircraft in reference to calling in the A-10 early to support troops in ground combat.[149]
Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II
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