What material is the A-10 made of?
The A-10 was designed around the 30 mm GAU-8 Avenger rotary cannon. Its airframe was designed for durability, with measures such as 1,200 pounds (540 kg) of titanium armor to protect the cockpit and aircraft systems, enabling it to absorb damage and continue flying.
Can you survive an A-10 Warthog?
The aircraft can survive direct hits from armor-piercing and high explosive projectiles up to 23mm. Their self-sealing fuel cells are protected by internal and external foam. Manual systems back up their redundant hydraulic flight-control systems. This permits pilots to fly and land when hydraulic power is lost.
Why is the A-10 gun off center?
The nose landing gear is slightly offset to ensure the proper alignment of the firing barrel. The gun itself is mounted off-center, with the firing barrel positioned deliberately to control for a recoil force so strong that it can potentially cause the A-10 to veer off target.
Is the A-10 Warthog fly by wire?
The A-10 is a “manual reversion” aircraft, meaning that even if there is no hydraulic power, it can still be flown, through cables to the aircraft’s control surface trim tabs. “It’s not instantaneous control, but you can fly to a controlled bailout area,” Rudolphi says.
Who made the A-10 Thunderbolt?
Fairchild Aircraft
Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II/Manufacturers
When was the A-10 made?
March 1977
Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II/Introduced
Do fighters still dogfight?
Yes they generally are trained in dogfighting – which is short ranged aerial combat but the primary focus is on what is known as BVR – Beyond Visual Range air-to-air combat That involves the use of longer ranged radar guided missile systems such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM.
Can the A-10 Warthog dogfight?
A-10s carry two AIM-9M Sidewinders just in case a dogfight breaks out. As powerful as the GAU-8 is, the Warthog has other tools to help it win a fight with an opposing jet. In case of a dogfight, the A-10 also carries a pair of AIM-9M sidewinder missiles.
What is the fastest firing gun?
M134 Minigun
Watch the world’s fastest gun effortlessly fire 1 million rounds per minute. The highest rate of fire for a machine gun in service is the M134 Minigun. The weapon was designed in the late 1960s for helicopters and armored vehicles.
What caliber is the A-10 Gatling gun?
30 mm
The General Electric GAU-8/A Avenger is a 30 mm hydraulically driven seven-barrel Gatling-style autocannon that is typically mounted in the United States Air Force’s Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II….GAU-8 Avenger.
| GAU-8/A Avenger | |
|---|---|
| Mass | 619.5 lb (281 kg) |
| Barrel length | 90.5 in (2.30 m) |
| Cartridge | 30×173 mm |
| Caliber | 30 mm |
What caliber is the A-10 Warthog?
GAU-8 Avenger
| GAU-8/A Avenger | |
|---|---|
| Cartridge | 30×173 mm |
| Caliber | 30 mm |
| Barrels | 7-barrel (progressive RH parabolic twist, 14 grooves) |
| Action | Electrically controlled, hydraulic-driven |
Has the A-10 ever shot down an aircraft?
April 8, 2003 – An A-10A Thunderbolt II (Serial Number : 78-0691) was shot down over downtown Baghdad by an Iraqi Roland surface-to-air missile.
What kind of aircraft is the A-10 Thunderbolt II?
A-10 Thunderbolt II. Published September 22, 2015. 1990’s — The A-10 Thunderbolt II is 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.
Who has flown the most hours in an A-10 Thunderbolt II?
Col. Jon Mott breaks the record for the most documented hours in an A-10 Thunderbolt II during a refueling mission March 30. Colonel Mott, with the Massachusetts Air National Guard’s 104 Fighter Wing, has flown more than 4,570 hours in the A-10.
What is the difference between the A-10 Thunderbolt II and GAU-8?
The GAU-8 is designed to fire armor-piercing depleted uranium and high explosive incendiary rounds. The A-10 Thunderbolt II has excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude, and is a highly accurate and survivable weapons-delivery platform.
How old is the aoa-10 / OA-10 Thunderbolt II?
A-10 / OA-10 Thunderbolt II Status In service Primary user United States Air Force Produced 1972–1984 Number built 716