A-10A Thunderbolt II

Named after the WWII P-47 Thunderbolt, the A-10A Thunderbolt II (AKA the Warthog) is the first Air Force aircraft specially designed for close air support of ground forces. It is a simple, effective, and survivable twin-engine, non-afterburning, jet attacker that is used most effectively against ground targets.

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 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, triple redundant flight control systems 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. Some A-10s have been able to return to base with one vertical stabilizer blown off, half of a wing left, and one engine blown off. 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. It was nicknamed the Warthog for its almost ugly appearance. The Warthog is also one of few Ace Combat aircraft that does not have swept wings. This wing design allows pilots to carry large payloads into battle and allows for better low-speed handling characteristics.

Standard Weapons

 * Gun: 1x 30mm GAU-8/A 'Avenger' Gatling Gun
 * Missile: 2x AIM-9M Sidewinder
 * STDM: 2x AIM-9M Sidewinder (ACJA)
 * HACM: 2x AIM-9X Sidewinder (ACJA)
 * LGWM: 2x Python III AAM (ACJA)
 * HWVM: 2x Unknown

Special Weapons

 * RCL: LAU-69 Rocket Pods (ACZ & AC6)
 * XAGM: AGM-65D Maverick (AC04, AC5, ACZ, ACX & AC6, ACX2)
 * FAEB: BLU-73/B (ACZ, ACX & AC6,ACX2)
 * UGBL: Mk-84 2000lb Bomb (AC04)
 * SFFS: CBU-97 Sensor Fused Weapon (ACX)
 * CLB: Mk-20 Rockeye II cluster bomb (AC04)
 * GPB: GBU-12 Paveway II (ACX2)

Air Combat

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

Ace Combat 2

 * Power: 30
 * Defense: 70Ap519.jpg in the Jilachi Desert.]]
 * Mobility: 50
 * Stability: 10
 * 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 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 (ACX2)
 * Stingray: REAF (AC6)
 * Sawfish: REAF (AC6)
 * Whipray: REAF (AC6)
 * Daniel Oruma: Valahia (ACX2)

Related Development

 * A-10B

Comparable Aircraft

 * Su-25 Frogfoot
 * AV-8B Harrier II

Trivia

 * The P-47 and A-10 were both designed for close air support therefore the A-10 took over the Thunderbolt's name when it entered service.
 * The A-10's other name, "Warthog", comes from the popular, nose art design of a Warthog's face on the GAU-8/A Gatling gun.