Do a 10s carry Sidewinders?
The A-10 is equipped to carry GPS and laser-guided bombs, such as the GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb, Paveway series bombs, JDAM, WCMD and glide bomb AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon. 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.
Does the A-10 have a radar?
The Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) in the A-10 alerts the pilot if the aircraft is being tracked by an enemy radar. “Most pilots of other types didn’t really understand our strengths until they had fought us a few times.
How tough is the A-10 Warthog?
The Warthog remains one of the toughest, most structurally durable aircraft ever built. “The A-10 is not agile, nimble, fast or quick,” A-10 Lt. Col. Since then, the aircraft has continued to demonstrate its value in low-intensity, asymmetric conflicts where it can safely loiter and provide extended fire support.
What is an A-10 Thunderbolt and how does it work?
The A-10 Thunderbolt is also known as the Warthog, the ‘flying gun’ and the Tankbuster. The aircraft was used extensively during Operation Desert Storm, in support of Nato operations in response to the Kosovo crisis, in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The A-10 is a high-survivability and versatile aircraft.
What happened to the A-10 Thunderbolt II in Afghanistan?
A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft is refueled by an Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft over southern Afghanistan on Aug. 18, 2011.
How many A-10 aircraft have been built?
The first flight of the A-10 was in May 1972, and a total of 713 aircraft were produced. The production of A-10 aircraft came to an end in 1984.
What kind of Cannon does the A-10 have?
The aircraft is armed with a General Dynamics GAU-8/A Avenger 30mm cannon, mounted in the nose of the aircraft. “The A-10 has 11 stores pylons, providing an external load capacity of 7,260kg.” Using the cannon, the A-10 is capable of disabling a main battle tank from a range of over 6,500m.