Wingspan: 

57 feet, 6 inches 

Length: 

53 feet, 4 inches 

Height: 

14 feet, 8 inches 

Weight: 

22,141 lbs maximum 

Speed: 

439 mph 

Ceiling: 

33,500 feet 

Range: 

2,455 miles (transit) 

250 miles (combat) 

Power: 

Two General Electric TF-34-GE-100 Turbofan engines, 9,000 pounds thrust each. 

Armament: 

One 30mm GE GAU-8/A Gatling Gun, 16,000 lbs of a mix of bombs and missiles, depending on the mission 

Crew: 

1 

Service: 

Air Force 

* The slow-moving, high-survivability A-10 is designed as a tank killer and for close air support of troops on the ground. It is designed to take multiple hits from enemy fire and still continue flying. The A-10 is also used to support rescue operations of downed pilots. The A-10 entered service in the mid-1970's and is scheduled to be replaced in the future. 

Iraqi Counterpart--

Iraq has the SU-25 Frogfoot in its arsenal for close air support. A Soviet designed aircraft, the SU-25 is slightly faster than the A-10 and carries a similar mix of weapons. In addition, French built Mirage Fighters will also play a close air support role. 

Actions in Desert Storm--

The A-10 was the ugly duckling of Operation Desert Storm. Eventhough pilots of A-10's were kidded for flying a "slow" aircraft and the plane's physical appearance is best described by its nickname "Warthog," the A-10 did an excellent job in attacking and destroying Iraqi armor positions, including dug-in and fortified units. In one attack on fleeing Iraqi units, two A-10's teamed up to destroy some 23 tanks using a variety of missiles and the cannon in the nose of this aircraft. A-10's also provided cover to downed pilots while rescue crews worked to save them. Although it is going to be phased out in some units, there are many ground soldiers who would like to see the A-10 kept in the service for several more years. 

A total of 136 A-10's and 12 OA-10's were deployed to Southwest Asia. The aircraft flew 8,077 sorties, often for anti-air defense missions and hunting SCUD missiles. Ten of the 15 aircraft damaged returned to action. Six others were shot down and lost. 
 

Warthog: Flying the A-10 in the Gulf War (NEW!)
William Smallwood

A-10 Warthog: Americas Mudfighter
Richard Drury

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A-10 in Cuba
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