A-10A Thunderbolt II

The A-10/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.

Description
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. The price is for one unit is around $11,700,000 USD.

Standard Weapons

 * Gun: 30mm GAU-8/A 'Avenger' Gatling Gun
 * Missiles: AIM-9M Sidewinder

Special Weapons

 * RCL: LAU-69 Rocket Pods (ACZ & AC6)
 * XAGM: AGM-65D Maverick (AC04, AC5, ACZ, ACX & AC6)
 * FAEB: FAB-1000/FAEB (ACZ, ACX & AC6)
 * UGBL: Mk-84 (AC04 & ACZ)
 * SFFS: Self-Forging Fragments Submunitions (ACX)
 * CLB: IMI Anti Runway Submunitions (AC04) or CBU-97 (ACX)

Air Combat

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

Ace Combat 2

 * Power: 30
 * Defense: 70
 * Mobility: 50
 * Stability: 100
 * Climbing Ability: 30
 * Air-to-Air: 40
 * Air-to-Ground: 90

Ace Combat 5/Zero

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

Ace Squadrons/Pilots

 * Sally: STFS (AC)
 * Cliffred: FEAF (AC4)
 * Storch: BAF (ACZ)
 * Fischer: BAF (ACZ)
 * Pelikan: BAF (ACZ)
 * Firestorm: LAF (ACX)
 * Rystary: EAF (AC6)
 * M42 Squadron: Martinez Security (ACX2)
 * Stingray: REAF (AC6)
 * Sawfish: REAF (AC6)
 * Whipray: REAF (AC6)
 * Varcolac Squadron: Valahia (ACX2)

Related Development

 * YA-10B

Comparable Aircraft

 * YA-9
 * Su-25 Frogfoot
 * AV-8B Harrier II
 * Harrier GR.7