THE A-10 THUNDERBOLT II Attack Aircraft AKA The Warthog

The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is a single-seat, twin-turbofan, straight-wing, subsonic attack aircraft developed by Fairchild Republic for the United States Air Force (USAF). In service since 1976, it is named for the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, a World War II-era fighter-bomber effective at attacking ground targets, but commonly referred to as the "Warthog" or "Hog". The A-10 was designed to provide close air support (CAS) to friendly ground troops by attacking armored vehicles, tanks, and other enemy ground forces; it is the only production-built aircraft designed solely for CAS to have served with the U.S. Air Force. Its secondary mission is to direct other aircraft in attacks on ground targets, a role called forward air controller-airborne; aircraft used primarily in this role are designated OA-10.
The A-10 was intended to improve on the performance and firepower of the Douglas A-1 Skyraider. Its airframe was designed for durability, with measures such as 1,200 pounds (540 kg) of titanium armor to protect the cockpit and aircraft systems, enabling it to absorb damage and continue flying. Its ability to take off and land from relatively short runways permits operation from airstrips close to the front lines, and its simple design enables maintenance with minimal facilities.
The A-10 served in the First Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm), the American-led intervention against Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, where the aircraft distinguished itself. The A-10 also participated in other conflicts such as in Grenada, the Balkans, Afghanistan, Iraq, and against the Islamic State in the Middle East.
The A-10A single-seat variant was the only version produced, though one pre-production airframe was modified into the YA-10B twin-seat prototype to test an all-weather night-capable version. In 2005, a program was started to upgrade the remaining A-10A aircraft to the A-10C configuration, with modern avionics for use with precision weaponry. The U.S. Air Force had stated the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II would replace the A-10 as it entered service, but this remains highly contentious within the USAF and in political circles. With a variety of upgrades and wing replacements, the A-10's service life can be extended to 2040; the service has no planned retirement date as of June 2017.
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 sq ft (47.0 m2)
Airfoil: NACA 6716 root, NACA 6713 tip
Empty weight: 24,959 lb (11,321 kg)
Gross 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 (22,700 kg)
Fuel capacity: 11,000 lb (4,990 kg) internal
Powerplant: 2 × General Electric TF34-GE-100A turbofans, 9,065 lbf (40.32 kN) thrust each
Performance
Maximum speed: 381 kn (439 mph, 706 km/h) at sea level, clean
Cruise speed: 300 kn (340 mph, 560 km/h)
Stall speed: 120 kn (138 mph, 220 km/h) at 30,000 lb (14,000 kg)
Never exceed speed: 450 kn (518 mph, 833 km/h) at 5,000 ft (1,500 m) with 18 Mark 82 bombs
Combat range: 220 nmi (250 mi, 400 km) CAS mission, 1.88 hour loiter at 5,000 ft (1,500 m), 10 min combat
Ferry range: 2,240 nmi (2,580 mi, 4,150 km) with 50 knots (58 mph; 26 m/s) 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/sq ft (482 kg/m2)
Thrust/weight: 0.36
Armament
Guns: 1× 30 mm (1.18 in) GAU-8/A Avenger rotary cannon with 1,174 rounds
Hardpoints: 11 (8× under-wing and 3× under-fuselage pylon stations) with a capacity of 16,000 lb (7,260 kg), with provisions to carry combinations of:
Rockets:
4× LAU-61/LAU-68 rocket pods (each with 19×/7× Hydra 70 mm/APKWS rockets, respectively)
6× LAU-131 rocket pods (each with 7× Hydra 70 rockets)
Missiles:
2× AIM-9 Sidewinder 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, CBU-20 Rockeye II, BL755 and CBU-52/58/71/87/89/97 cluster bombs or
Paveway series of Laser-guided bombs or
Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) (A-10C) or
Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser
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 or
2× 600 US gal (2,300 L) Sargent Fletcher drop tanks for increased range/loiter time.
Avionics
AN/AAS-35(V) Pave Penny laser tracker pod (mounted beneath right side of cockpit) for use with Paveway LGBs (currently the Pave Penny is no longer in use
Head-up display (HUD)
Anti-armor mission: 252 nmi (290 mi; 467 km) with sea-level penetration and exit, 30 min combat.
#a10 #warthog #a10warthog

[@Dronescapes]

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[@sleddog1935]

True / False. The gun was built first and plane was built around it. It is more efficient to replace complete gun rather than reload.

[@Sydney559]

The A-10 is not ugly. Its hot !!! Would have love to be American just to get to fly one!!!! Thats the best air to ground airplane ever produced.

[@Norm698]

@Sydney I totally agree with you as I indicated pretty much the same thing in my post. Love the Call sign 😊

[@Sydney559]

@@Norm698 Sydney was the name of my labrador- golden retriever. Was the Best dog ever. I know he is waiting for me as all dogs go to heaven.

[@Norm698]

@@Sydney559 Yes they definitely do. Take care and I hope you won't meet Sydney too soon. Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year

[@normmarino7914]

I LOVE THE HOG, I WATCH THESE VIDEOS OVER AN OVER GREAT MACHINE AND NEVER BE RETIRED. GO HOG.❤❤❤❤❤😊

[@johnshields6852]

My uncle piloted the F4 phantom in Vietnam when I was around 10 years old, I was in awe, these warthogs are a crucial asset for troops on the ground and many other wartime scenarios, it's a must have for us. God bless America🇺🇸

[@Dronescapes]

Bless them

[@Norm698]

I've always loved the overall appearance of the A10 and without a doubt, in my opinion, it's the meanest looking ground support Aircraft, that's ever been flown.

[@BobConness]

Yes, it's referred to as " ugly", maybe because it does not have a pointy nose. I love how it was described as a Big gun that has a plane attached to it

[@Norm698]

@@BobConness absolutely, the Grandson of the JU 87. Or maybe the Great Grandson 👍

[@user-dg8xg7gq3o]

E uma aeronave magnífica, o Brasil precisa de algumas.

[@davidelliott5843]

Ju 87 was a dive bomber. On the Russian front they carried a cannon pod under each wing. Initially 20mm. Later 37mm. This significantly affected the already slow performance 150mph maximum.

[@2-Hands]

Question, "What do you call an A-10 flying on the right Wing of an AC-130 Spectre Gunship "??? "Tag-Team from HELL"...

[@russjereza4746]

Good luck flying these in a near-peer confrontation. The USAF cannot force package everything. That's why you guys aimed for a new stealth MRF, to give your pilots a better ❤chance at surviving and getting the job done in a contested environment

[@Starfishcentral]

When I was a kid the A-10's used to fly over my gran's house in Lincolnshire to the bombing range. They have such a unique engine sound and I knew what type of aircraft they was before even seeing them! Very fond memories of such an awesome and iconic aircraft. 😁👍

[@yourdrummer2034]

That made my memories flood back! Mine was a singular air show performance of 4 - A-10's flying an impressive routine, of which I've yet to see another team of A-10's fly. And their engine's do have an unmistakable sound that brings me back to that routine from many years ago!

[@spenceryoung5147]

Troops on the ground LOVE that “slow, ugly aircraft !” Seeing a Warthog for forward troops in trouble, is like seeing your big brother when the class bully tried to pick on you!

[@robertmosher7418]

I talked to a retired crew chief who had worked on the F4 and F15 crews and finished his career on the A-10 crew who told me they are the easiest to work on and cheapest to maintain.

[@justinokoniewski2672]

My favorite aircraft from the first time I've seen one at the air show!! I've always thought it was the war hog!

[@yankee_tango]

AS a veteran knowing these aircraft have my back when the s**t goes down is an amazing thing. I cannot tell you just how many times they saved my ass, but the sound of that gun announcing their arrival is the most welcome sound you will ever hear. I was told by an old salt Gunny that is you hear the sound of that rotary cannon you are not the target, it does make sense because by the time the sound reaches you, you are meeting God.

[@tenaci-et-rip-eam]

That's not an ugly airplane that's the sexiest freaking killer in the skies today

[@rosendogarcia1146]

A-10 awesome performance it was intended for, ground cover for our troops/tank and other armaments. Fly on.👍

[@michaelf6232]

I got to see a demonstration at an airshow once It's a gorgeous Beast.

[@acidity7663]

They say it’s ugly but i think that plane is beautiful

[@johnhopkins6260]

Not only beloved by air and ground crew, enthusiastically celebrated by grunts in the field... particularly when announced by TACPs/JTACs

[@lolza-qh2xw]

I never understood calling it ugly. I think it's one of the most unique and awesome looking planes to ever exist.

[@donaldvincent]

Fantastic video. Thx 4 posting.

[@Desertrat87]

What he said about the Military sometimes choosing an aircraft not because it's the best choice in terms of design, but because they have more faith the company building it to be able to bring the program to successful conclusion and supply the numbers needed is definitely not new. That has come up many times throughout history. For example, the B-25 was initially shunned by the USAAF in favor of the B-26 design, but then it turned out the company producing the B-26 could not produce them fast enough to supply wartime needs, and so a contract was also issued to build B-25s to fill the numbers.

[@user-hs4bu1qe5o]

These things are the shit. 50 years later n still going!!

[@Marvinwalker-ud3yo]

My all time favorites are: P40, F86, F16 and the A10(Warthog ll ). Love the looks of these aircrafts.

[@ethansanders8309]

My fave fighters are the corsairs and warthogs

[@davidgraham4807]

You can run, you’ll just die tired and out of breath. Then you can have your 72.

[@Catechuman23]

That bird is not ugly one bit!

[@davidelliott5843]

The commentary says A-10 has the biggest gun ever fitted into an aircraft. Maybe they are ignoring the 57mm six pounder with Mohlins auto loader fitted into DH Mosquito during WW2. The Tsetse.

[@ScatpackChallengerdriver]

What about the AC 130 with its M137 105 mm cannon . If I recall correctly, we ( USA ) had a plane with a 75 mm cannon on board during WW2 .

[@patk8417]

Like Elmer said, be afwaid, be vewy, vewy, afwaid... Also, you can run, but you can't hide, so start runnin'!

[@scottmcintosh2988]

They had to slow down the cannon because it snuffed out the jet motors !

[@vinny420smokerofdank3]

The early development seen the integration of computers to pulse stalk the engines to not intake exhaust and heat during firing, the veritable equated Einstein brain joxkyong that went into the platforms impressive to say the least.

[@billanderson2217]

First 3 words in a Progressive's recipe: "Steal two eggs."

[@user-mj1ul1fw9k]

It ain't broke, don't fix it!!!

[@cliffcampbell8827]

There are those who say the A-10 is past it's prime, an out dated attack aircraft whose job can be easily replaced by much more technologically superior weapons and delivery platforms...if that is true and the Air Force gets rid of the A-10, I'll take as many as they want to replace.

[@russjereza4746]

Not out dated, as it's not impossible to bring it up to date with newer avionics, wing spars, wings, and better engines (a long running caveat Hog Drivers reputedly have) With the above, it can get the ability to be a low-level ground attack aircraft, able to receive data from other sensors than their own. In my opinion, a low level A-10 optimized for low-level maritime strike would be a great addition to the Philippine Navy Aviation Wing.

[@armandoblackhill1355]

Long live the warthog.

[@user-jz4vh4cq3w]

I like the 1st one 10 best.

[@ethansanders8309]

UGLY?! i live near selfridge AFB in Michigan ...ive seen dozens of em fly over my house ( or maybe a few many different times ) ...i think its much better looking than alot of other jets ...

[@bigbadjohnpesek9894]

One of the most badass weapons we have.

[@chrischiampo7647]

Aka The Tankbuster 😊❤️😀😇

[@bl8danjil]

In before the boogeyman MANPADs comments.

[@aaronlopez492]

Thank you, you've done a wonderful service.👍

[@jackfunk5765]

Ask ground troops what they think this plane looks like.

[@FaithDane]

we need a Thunderbolt III!!!

[@user-sy5yw2dj3k]

Hear hear!

[@georgemajors1]

P47 “simply stands alone” - great plane, but, hello, P51. Contrary to claim, P51 was also slightly faster.

[@ibmgrunt]

If the AirForce hates this platform so badly, why not give the A10 to the Army and Marines??

[@davidgraham4807]

The army is forbidden to operate fixed wing combat aircraft.

[@johnnycash578]

so much thought goes into this so freaking crazy the shit they think of I mean I cant keep track of my keys and a grocery list lol

[@kennievy6864]

Long live USA. USA POWER

[@Bribosome]

When they were talking about the P47 Thunderbolt did anyone else notice the guy sitting on the left wing while the plane was flying?

[@flyonbyya]

What year was the video produced ?

[@newdefsys]

Bosnia was mentioned so I would say mid-to-late 90s

[@gort8203]

More importantly, who produced it. Most likely the manufacturer, trying to sell us on retaining it.

[@newdefsys]

@@gort8203 Wouldn't the manufacturer want to sell their new product, not retain the old one. You dont exactly see car makers advertising that you keep your old car.

[@gort8203]

@@newdefsys 1. What current product? Potentially competing products were made by others. 2. Maintenance and support of existing aircraft is a continuous revenue stream. Haven't you ever heard that car dealerships make more money servicing cars than they do selling them?

[@newdefsys]

@@gort8203 Car dealerships might make more money, but not the car manufacturers. Besides, Republic had been absorbed by Fairchild long before this video was made and Fairchild had long been out of the defense business as well. Its more likely that this is a training video, produced by the Maryland Air Guard, to be shown to new guard members during their orientation class.

[@narusawa74]

Its ruggwd and lasting. Can use so many ordinances in 1 heavy payload and have a very deadly but not precise front gun. Honty its a good workhorse and is best when in a small group. But they need Fighter escort to keep the bogeys off the Hog's arse. Its a great addition to a complex air force system but not the best overall magical poney. Fat Amy has some crazy efficiency in the same role, but can get in and out fast, can be efficient in a A2A combat and is very stealthy at low altitude. But nothing matches the massive payload of the A-10 .

[@alexmobil7463]

If Ukraine had 2 Squadrons of them they would have libarate their country in 4 weeks! This isnt an ugly Hog this is a Wonderful airplane and hope the USAirforce will keep it in its inventory for a longer period that is planed!

[@user-lf9dq7nl1i]

It is a 7-barrel gatling gun. This video shows a 6-barrel ....at time marker 26:15. OOPS!!!

[@ISAIAH.74]

[@patrolmanracv]

gone in 60 seconds these days .unstopable .hypersonic missile from 1000 kms away ..

[@user-op1qd6pp4i]

Eas

[@andybreglia9431]

Paused after survival gear segment. You left off a most important survival tool; M1911 semiautomatic pistol in .45 ACP, a proven pistol cartridge. Developed as a result of failure of .38 Colt revolvers against Moros during the Philippine insurrection. They forgot these lessons when they adopted the M9 and .355 Parabellum cartridge. (I am AMERICAN in character as well as nationality and am actively purging Metricrap from my use of the language. Suggest our armed forces Americanize in the same manner.) Because of limited supply of ammo, you need something that do the job with one good hit (.45 ACP) than hit enemy several times with .355 Parabellum, the reason .355 Parabellum pistols need 15 round magazines. Don't give me the horse doodoo about M1911 is inaccurate. After I read an account of someone with a Mattelamatic getting six hits on an E silhouette target with sixty cartridges, I set up an E silhouette at 100 yards. I engaged that target at 100 yards with an M1911 pistol and sixty cartridges and got sixty kill zone hits. I am an Army veteran and served with a real battle rifle, the M1 Garand, and the M1911 pistol.😅

[@radnelac]

Meh. More about the Guard than the aircraft.

[@soulbrothers7789]

Only good where is no AA

[@matthewperry5524]

Not true it has a titanium tub around the pilot seen these planes still flying with missing parts of the wing & tails & still fly. There a flying tank.

[@soulbrothers7789]

@@matthewperry5524 This airplane never was used in AA covered area, titanium tub can withstand max 30mm shells

[@matthewperry5524]

Yes it was used in aaa covered areas also sam covered areas desert storm desert shield there r pics of these planes with holes blown in them by aaa fire. Hell there is a female pilot that flew an a-10 back to base with half the tail missing & all kinds of other holes in it look it up. ​@@soulbrothers7789

[@user-yy9hk9od9u]

Give them to the Ukraine.

[@pimpinaintdeadho]

You send your paycheck to them and leave US out of it.

[@robertlawler1387]

Already gave billions,shouldn't be another penny sent or spent.

[@theyrealltaken3]

Without Ukrainians completely controlling their airspace, A10s are useless

[@normmarino7914]

Never give or sell the A 10 HOG TO ANY OTHER COUNTRY.

[@ThomasBestonso-zr4ko]

Ukraine should have negotiated their nukes for a moder air superiority including fighters , SAM and other modern missle defense units ... or kept them !

[@billanderson2217]

First 3 words in a Democrat recipe: "Lie about ingedients". 😅🤣😂😆😅

[@aaronellington5546]

Where is time the war hog was unbelievable but now it’s outdated and they should be used for scrap metal

[@Dronescapes]

Many disagree with you

[@jerrytaylor2124]

If they would just let Ukraine in NAtO,Russia wouldn’t be doing what they are doing

[@timbirch4999]

The A-10 is a bunch of old shit. Useless waste of money.

[@gort8203]

Very first sentence in this video is a lie. "During the Gulf War, an aircraft previously unwanted become the most valuable member of the American arsenal." What a bunch of ****. Who made this film, the manufacturer?

[@davidgraham4807]

I guess you can say the same thing about B-52 (1954) the C-130 (1956) T-38 Talon (1958). But, still they fly today. Adapt to mission and capabilities.

[@gort8203]

@@davidgraham4807 Say what same thing, that the B-52, C-130, and T-38 were unwanted? They were all excellent designs that have never been unwanted. All remain valuable, and the latter two have not even had to adapt their primary roles to remain relevant. The A-10 is the opposite; it was overvalued for many years, and is now unwanted due to changing needs.

[@MammothPaige]

Send it to Ukraine with the F-16.

[@DavidRojas-mo4ym]

To me its a War-thog =a War aggressive machine, not a wart-hog. Just the way I see it.

[@williammuir638]

Junk

[@SkyAIChannel]

I LOVE THE HOG, I WATCH THESE VIDEOS OVER AN OVER GREAT MACHINE AND NEVER BE RETIRED. GO HOG.❤❤❤❤❤😊