Aircraft

A-10 Thunderbolt II

The A-10 Thunderbolt II is designed primarily for the purpose of providing close air support for ground troops. It is powered by two General Electric TF-34-100/A turbo-fan engines which generate approximately 9,000 pounds of thrust each. The A-10 is highly survivable in modern combat environments with a titanium armor plated cockpit, foam filled fuel tanks and avionics features that allow the aircraft to maintain flight even after taking significant damage.

The aircraft is built around the GAU-8 Avenger, a hydraulically-driven seven-barrel automatic cannon which is effective against a broad variety of targets. The A-10’s eleven under-wing/under-fuselage hard points can carry 16,000lb ordnance including cluster bombs, AGM-65 Maverick anti-armor missiles, Laser Guided Bombs, and AIM-9 air-to-air missiles.