A-10A Thunderbolt II

The Fairchild-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II (aka Warthog) is a ground attack aircraft utilized by the United States Air Force to make devastating low-altitude, low-speed attacks on enemy formations. Twin engines and lots of armor make it able to loiter for long periods under heavy enemy fire.

History
The A-10 Warthog is the premier ground attack aircraft. Equipped with a wide variety of weaponry, it can cause devastating damage to enemy positions with a single low-altitude strike using guns, rockets, missiles and bombs of various types.

Conception
In the aftermath of the Vietnam War, the US Air Force was concerned regarding its force of ground attack aircraft. Its only purpose-built attack aircraft at the time were the propeller-driven A-1 Skyraider and jet-powered A-4 Skyhawk, both of which carried an impressive array of air-to-ground ordnance but were almost evenly matched for speed and endurance. Neither could withstand much punishment and many of both were lost during the war. Clearly, a new close air support aircraft was needed.

In 1969, when American military forces were beginning to pull out of Vietnam, the US Air Force put forth a request for a new ground attack aircraft.

Design
Specifications


 * Dimensions (length, height, wingspan): 53'4"x14'8"x57'6"
 * Maximum Speed (cruise, attack): 340 mph (560 kph, 300 knots); 520 mph (833 kph, 450 knots)
 * Maximum Range (combat, nonstop): 290 miles (467 km); 620 miles (1364 km)
 * Operational Ceiling: 45,000 feet (13,700 m)
 * Powerplant: 2xGeneral Electric TF34-GE-100A turbofans
 * Weight (empty, loaded): 24,959 lbs (11,321 kg); 30,384 lbs (13,782 kg)
 * Crew: 1

Armament

 * Gun: 1xGeneral Electric GAU-8/A 30mm seven-barrel Gatling-type cannon
 * Missile: 2xAIM-9 Sidewinder short-range air-to-air heatseeker
 * STDM: 2xAIM-9M Sidewinder (ACJA)
 * HACM: 2x AIM-9X Sidewinder (ACJA)
 * LGWM: 2x Python IV (ACJA)
 * HWVM: 2x AIM-132 ASRAAM (ACJA)
 * RCL: LAU-69 Rocket Pods (AC04, ACZ, AC6, ACAH)
 * XAGM: AGM-65 Maverick (AC04, AC5, ACZ, AC6, ACX, ACJA, ACAH)
 * FAEB: BLU-73/B fuel-air high-explosive freefall bomb (ACZ, ACX, AC6, ACJA)
 * UGBL: Mk 84 2000-pound freefall bomb (AC04)
 * CLB: Mk-20 Rockeye freefall cluster bomb (AC04)
 * SFFS: CBU-59 APAM (ACX, ACJA)
 * GPB: GBU-24 Paveway III laser-guided deep-penetration bomb (ACJA)

Air Combat

 * Stability: 100
 * Defense: 100
 * Offense: 90
 * Power: 10
 * Mobility: 90

Ace Combat 2

 * Power: 30
 * Defense: 70
 * Mobility: 50
 * Stability: 10
 * Climbing Ability: 30
 * Air-to-Air: 40
 * Air-to-Ground: 90

Ace Combat 4 Shattered Skies

 * Speed: 20
 * Mobility: 45
 * Defense: 90
 * Stability: 80
 * Air-to-Air: 18
 * Air-to-Ground: 85

AC5: The Unsung War/AC Zero: The Belkan War

 * Speed: 39
 * Mobility: 34
 * Stability: 65
 * Defense: 94
 * Air-to-Air: 17
 * Air-to-Ground: 74

Ace Combat X/X2

 * Speed: 30
 * ATA: 12
 * ATG: 95
 * Mob: 36
 * Stab: 94
 * Def: 99

Ace Squadrons/Pilots

 * Sally: STFS (AC)
 * Cliffred: FEAF (AC4)
 * Storch: BAF (ACZ)
 * Fischer "Fisherman": BAF (ACZ)
 * Pelikan "Pelican": BAF (ACZ)
 * Firestorm: LAF (ACX)
 * Rytsary "Knight": EAF (AC6)
 * M42 Squadron: Martinez Security (ACJA)
 * Stingray: REAF (AC6)
 * Sawfish: REAF (AC6)
 * Whipray: REAF (AC6)
 * Daniel Oruma: Valahia (ACJA)
 * Dagger 3: USAF (ACAH)

Related Development

 * A-10B

Comparable Aircraft

 * Su-25 Frogfoot
 * AV-8B Harrier II
 * F-2 Viper Zero
 * Su-32 Strike Flanker
 * F-117 Nighthawk

Trivia

 * The A-10 is named after the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, used by the US Navy during World War II in the Pacific theater.
 * The nickname "Warthog" comes from the aircraft's none-too-attractive appearance. It's also known as the "Tankbuster" for its anti-tank role in over-seas conflicts.
 * Though unable to exceed 520 mph in reality except while diving, it's possible to take the A-10 beyond the sound barrier in the games.
 * The A-10 Thounderbolt II currently holds the records for heaviest aircraft armor, longest combat duration and most damaged aircraft returned.
 * Like the F-35, it is possible to maintain pitch control while stalling in Ace Combat: Assault Horizon.