A-10 Hogog
BACKGROUND PAPER
ON
A-10 THUNDERBOLT II “WARTHOG”
1. The purpose of this paper is to provide background information on the A-10 Thunderbolt II, including its mission and characteristics, current role, and future role in combat. The A-10 is designed around the seven-barrel Gatling gun, and can carry 16,000 lbs. of mixed ordinance, making it a lethal asset in combat operations. In the current conflict, the A-10 is flying missions against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Military and political leaders are currently debating the future combat role of the A-10, based on concerns of increased maintenance costs and the overall age of the aircraft.
2. There are several missions the A-10 Thunderbolt II “Warthog” can conduct, such as Close Air Support (CAS) of combat troops, and rescue escort (RESCORT).1 Additionally, the A-10 Thunderbolt II can serve as the Forward Air Controller – Airborne (FAC-A) platform to coordinate tactical operations against the enemy.2 The aircraft is 53 feet, 4 inches long, has a wingspan of 57 feet 6 inches and weighs 29,000 pounds. The A-10 has a fuel capacity of 11,000 pounds and can carry 16,000 pounds of mixed ordinance.3 Central to the weapon system is the Gatling Autocannon 8/A (GAU-8/A) …show more content…
The future role of the A-10 Thunderbolt II is currently under debate in military and political circles.6 The airframe has undergone several upgrades over the last two decades, however the age of the aircraft and its increasingly expensive maintenance costs call into question its future service capabilities.7 Despite the maintenance issues, the A-10 will continue to be heavily requested by combatant commanders throughout the theaters of war.8 Development of the next attack aircraft must meet or exceed the same performance criteria of the A-10, namely responsiveness, lethality, survivability, and simplicity. To this end, there are several aircraft being developed to replace the A-10, like the F-35A, A-29 Embraer, and the Raytheon
ON
A-10 THUNDERBOLT II “WARTHOG”
1. The purpose of this paper is to provide background information on the A-10 Thunderbolt II, including its mission and characteristics, current role, and future role in combat. The A-10 is designed around the seven-barrel Gatling gun, and can carry 16,000 lbs. of mixed ordinance, making it a lethal asset in combat operations. In the current conflict, the A-10 is flying missions against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Military and political leaders are currently debating the future combat role of the A-10, based on concerns of increased maintenance costs and the overall age of the aircraft.
2. There are several missions the A-10 Thunderbolt II “Warthog” can conduct, such as Close Air Support (CAS) of combat troops, and rescue escort (RESCORT).1 Additionally, the A-10 Thunderbolt II can serve as the Forward Air Controller – Airborne (FAC-A) platform to coordinate tactical operations against the enemy.2 The aircraft is 53 feet, 4 inches long, has a wingspan of 57 feet 6 inches and weighs 29,000 pounds. The A-10 has a fuel capacity of 11,000 pounds and can carry 16,000 pounds of mixed ordinance.3 Central to the weapon system is the Gatling Autocannon 8/A (GAU-8/A) …show more content…
The future role of the A-10 Thunderbolt II is currently under debate in military and political circles.6 The airframe has undergone several upgrades over the last two decades, however the age of the aircraft and its increasingly expensive maintenance costs call into question its future service capabilities.7 Despite the maintenance issues, the A-10 will continue to be heavily requested by combatant commanders throughout the theaters of war.8 Development of the next attack aircraft must meet or exceed the same performance criteria of the A-10, namely responsiveness, lethality, survivability, and simplicity. To this end, there are several aircraft being developed to replace the A-10, like the F-35A, A-29 Embraer, and the Raytheon