A-10A Thunderbolt II

- The 'Tank Killer' -



Biography
The A-10 and OA-10 Thunderbolt IIs are the first Air Force aircraft specially designed for close air support of ground forces. They are simple, effective and survivable twin-engine jet aircraft that can be used against all ground targets, including tanks and other armored vehicles. The primary mission of the A-10 is to provide day and night close air combat support for friendly land forces and to act as forward air controller (FAC) to coordinate and direct friendly air forces in support of land forces. The A-10 has a secondary mission of supporting search and rescue and Special Forces operations. It also possesses a limited capability to perform certain types of interdiction. All of these missions may take place in a high or low threat environment.

The A/OA-10 aircraft was specifically developed as a close air support aircraft with reliability and maintainability as major design considerations. The Air Force requirements documents emphasized payload, low altitude flying capability, range and loiter capability, low speed maneuverability and weapons delivery accuracy. The aircraft is capable of worldwide deployment and operation from austere bases with minimal support equipment. Specific survivability features include titanium armor plated cockpit, redundant flight control system separated by fuel tanks, manual reversion mode for flight controls, foam filled fuel tanks, ballistic foam void fillers, and a redundant primary structure providing "get home" capability after being hit. Design simplicity, ease of access and left to right interchangeable components make the A/OA-10 aircraft readily maintainable and suitable for deployment at advanced bases.

Origin: (Real World)
United States of America

Featured In
Ace Combat (Air Combat) Ace Combat 02 Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies Ace Combat 05: The Unsung War Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation

Operators
Aurelian Air Force Belkan Air Force Emmerian Air Force Federal Erusian Air Force Independent State Allied Air Forces Leasath Air Force Osean Air Defense Force Special Tactical Fighter Squadron "Scarface" Terrorist Air Force Usean Rebel Forces Ustian Air Force Yuktobanian Air Force

Variants
YA-10B

Ace Squadrons
Sally / STFS (AC) Cliffred / FEAF (AC4) Storch / BAF (ACZ) Fischer / BAF (ACZ) Pelikan / BAF (ACZ) Firestorm / LAF (ACX)

Weapons
Gun: 30mm GAU-8/A 'Avenger' Gatling Gun Standard Missiles / AIM-9M Sidewinder RCL / LAU-68 (ACZ/AC6) XAGM / AGM-65G Maverick (AC04/AC5/ACZ/ACX/AC6) FAEB / BLU-73/B Fuel-Air-Explosive (ACZ/ACX/AC6) UGBL / Mk-84 (AC04/ACZ) CLB / Mk-20 Rockeye (AC04) SFFS / CBU-series Cluster Munitions (ACX)

Air Combat Stats
Stability: 100 Defense: 100 Offense: 90 Power: 10 Mobility: 90

Ace Combat 2 Stats
Power: 30 Defense: 70 Mobility: 50 Stability: 100 Climbing Ability: 30 Air-to-Air: 40 Air-to-Ground: 90

Ace Combat 5 Stats
Speed: 39 Mobility: 34 Stability: 65 Defense: 94 Air-to-Air: 17 Air-to-Ground: 74

Ace Combat Zero Stats
Speed: 39 Mobility: 34 Stability: 65 Defense: 94 Air-to-Air: 17 Air-to-Ground: 74

SOURCES: The Ace Combat Series (game weapons loadings) Global Security.org Fighter Planes.com Federation of American Scientists Military Analysis Network