Pilots have to be careful to limit their bursts though to one to two seconds lest the gun barrel overheats (this is also to conserve ammunition). Something the A-10 does very well is more or less shred to pieces enemy tanks, armoured vehicles and weaponry with its rotary cannon. I would hate to imagine what it could do to that poor little VW Beetle! (Photo Source: USAF) They are massive! The principle weapon of the A-10 is the GAU-8 Avenger 30mm rotary cannon – the space it takes up within the airframe is really highlighted here (Photo Source: USAF) Here is an interesting size comparison of the GAU-8 Avenger 30mm rotary cannon. GAU-8 Avenger 30mm Rotary Cannon Here I am holding an inert 30mm shell. weapons payload of bombs and missiles the A-10 provides lethal close support to troops on the ground. The cannon is offset slightly and is just below the aircrafts centre of gravity to avoid its recoil causing any changes in pitch or yaw for the A-10 so it can stay on target. The 7 barrel cannon is so big it takes up virtually half the airframe (from the muzzle to end of the ammunition system it is approximately 5.9m /19.5 ft in length) and contributes to approximately 16% of the aircraft’s weight (the gun with it feed system and a fully loaded ammunition drum of 1,150 rounds weighs 1,828 kg /4,029 pounds)! Accompanied with a 16,000 lb. The primary weapon of the A-10 is the hydraulic powered General Dynamics GAU-8 Avenger 30mm rotary cannon that fires a mix of depleted uranium armour-piercing and high explosive shells at 4,000 rounds per minute with deadly accuracy (the shells are huge – 29 cm / 11.4 inches in length and weighing at least 0.69 kg / 1.53 pounds). A-10 display at Seafair Air Show in Seattle, Washington in 2011 Versatility: an A-10 takes off from a road All of these capabilities accompanied with lethal weapon systems makes the A-10 perfect for providing close air support for troops on the ground.

It also is also relatively easy to maintain and has a short takeoff and landing capability that makes it perfect for operating from forward airbases (during the Cold War they used to practice taking off from Autobahns in Germany). The aircraft also has a long endurance time enabling it to cover long distances while also being able to stay over target areas and loiter waiting for targets. The pilot, vital avionics and control systems of the aircraft are protected by titanium armour to allow the aircraft to take a great deal of damage whilst still staying in the fight. It can get down into valleys and the like and turn back on targets to quickly eliminate enemy threats. The A-10 is highly maneuverable at low speeds and low altitudes. A-10 Thunderbolt II at the Museum of Aviation – Warner Robins, Georgia 2014 The maximum range of the aircraft is 1287 km / 800 miles. The cruising speed is a little slower at 539 kmh / 335 mph. of thrust each and a top speed of 724 kmh / 450 mph. It is fitted with two General Electric TF34-GE-100 turbofans that provide 9,000 lbs. The A-10 first entered USAF service in the late 1970’s achieving combat readiness in the summer of 1978.

Republic Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II aka “Warthog” at the 2014 Tampa Bay Air Fest in Florida Fairchild Republic A-10 Warthog II (2011 Abbotsford International Air Show in BC, Canada) That’s a good way of summing up the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II aka “ Warthog” close support aircraft of the USAF.

Tank buster term