| A-10 Thunderbolt II | |
|---|---|
| |
| Origin |  United States
|
| Role | Ground-Attack Aircraft |
| Primary user |  H.A.W.X. Squadron Artemis Global Security
|
| General characteristics | |
| Crew | 1 |
| Length | 16.26 meters |
| Wingspan | 17.53 meters |
| Height | 4.47 meters |
| Loaded weight | 20,865 kilograms |
| Performance | |
| Maximum speed | 706 km/h |
| Range | 463 km |
| Statisctics | |
| Air to Air | ●●○○○ |
| Air to Ground | ●●●●● |
| Cockpit | |
| |
The A-10 Thunderbolt II is a single-seat, twin-turbofan, straight-wing, subsonic attack aircraft of US origin.
Design[]
The A-10 Thunderbolt II features a low-wing monoplane design with a wide cord, allowing for great maneuverability at low speeds and altitudes. Its large wing area and high aspect ratio enable short takeoffs and landings from small airfields near combat zones. The aircraft can loiter for long periods and operate in low visibility conditions, flying at about 555 km/h. The wing construction includes a honeycomb structure that maintains strength without adding weight, and the skin panels can be quickly replaced if damaged. Ailerons at the wing tips enhance control, being larger than usual and functioning as split ailerons for improved handling.
Firepower[]
The A-10 Thunderbolt II's main weapon is the 30mm GAU-8 Avenger autocannon, one of the strongest aircraft cannons. It is a seven-barrel rotary cannon used for anti-tank purposes with a high firing rate. The pilot can fire 3,900 rounds per minute after an initial spin-up time. The aircraft's design centers around the cannon, which has an ammunition drum that usually holds 1,174 rounds and is protected by armor plates. It also carries AGM-65 Maverick missiles and other weapons like cluster bombs and rocket pods. It can use GPS and laser-guided bombs, such as JDAMs along with ECM pods and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles for defense.
Avionics[]
A-10 Thunderbolt II's avionics equipment includes communications, inertial navigation and GPS, fire control and weapons delivery systems, target penetration aids, and night vision goggles. Their systems feature heads-up displays for airspeed, altitude, dive angle, navigation, and weapon aiming; and a low altitude safety and targeting enhancement system (LASTE) for impact point computation in freefall ordnance delivery. The aircraft also has armament control panels, infrared, and electronic countermeasures to manage surface-to-air threats, including missiles and anti-aircraft artillery.
Mobility[]
The two TF34-GE-100 non-afterburning turbofan engines, supplied by General Electric, each provide 40,3 kilonewtons of thrust. The location of the engines, high on the fuselage, allows the pilot to fly the aircraft with one inoperable engine.
Role in H.A.W.X.[]
Rainmaker flew one during the attack on an Iraqi airbase.
Members of the H.A.W.X. Squadron flew it during the near future insurgent conflict during the Blackout mission.