The A-10 (often called "Warthog") and OA-10 have
excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and
altitude, and are highly accurate
weapons-delivery platforms. They can loiter near
battle areas for extended periods of time and
operate under 1,000-foot ceilings (303.3 meters)
with 1.5-mile (2.4 kilometers) visibility. Their
wide combat radius and short takeoff and landing
capability permit operations in and out of
locations near front lines.
Thunderbolt II's have single-seat cockpits
forward of their wings, and a large bubble
canopy which provides pilots all-around vision.
The pilots are encircled by titanium armor that
also protects parts of the flight-control
system. The redundant primary structural
sections allow the aircraft to enjoy better
survivability during close air support than did
previous aircraft. The aircraft can survive
direct hits from armor-piercing and
high-explosive projectiles up to 23mm. Their
self-sealing fuel cells are protected by
internal and external foam. Their redundant
hydraulic flight-control systems are backed up
by manual systems. This permits pilots to fly
and land when hydraulic power is lost.
The Thunderbolt II can be serviced and operated
from bases with limited facilities near battle
areas. Many of the aircraft's parts are
interchangeable left and right, including the
engines, main landing gear and vertical
stabilizers.
Avionics equipment includes communications,
inertial navigation systems, fire control and
weapons delivery systems, and target penetration
aids. Their weapons delivery systems include
head-up displays that indicate airspeed,
altitude and dive angle on the windscreen, and
Pave Penny laser-tracking pods under the
fuselage. The aircraft also have armament
control panels, and infrared and electronic
countermeasures to handle surface-to-air-missile
threats.
The Thunderbolt II's 30mm GAU-8/A Gatling gun
can fire 3,900 rounds a minute and can defeat an
array of ground targets, to include tanks. Some
of their other equipment includes an inertial
navigation system, electronic countermeasures,
target penetration aids, self-protection
systems, and AGM-65 Maverick and AIM-9
Sidewinder missiles.
