What Makes A-10 Warthog the Most Feared Tank-Killer скачать в хорошем качестве

What Makes A-10 Warthog the Most Feared Tank-Killer

The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II, a single-seat attack aircraft with twin turbofans and a straight-wing design, was crafted by Fairchild Republic for the U.S. Air Force (USAF). Operational since 1976, it draws its name from the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt but is colloquially known as the "Warthog" or "Hog". Designed exclusively for close air support (CAS), the A-10 excels in aiding ground troops by targeting armored adversaries. Additionally, it undertakes the role of guiding other aircraft in ground assaults, termed forward air controller-airborne. What sets this aircraft apart is its distinctive design approach: the entire structure is crafted around the GAU-8 Avenger auto-cannon, arguably the most powerful autocannon ever integrated into an aircraft. Additionally, the A-10 has eleven hardpoints, allowing a mix of various ordnances. It can carry AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missiles, which have a range of 12 miles (19.3 km) and are effective against both mobile and stationary targets. For anti-infantry and softer targets, the Warthog can be armed with Hydra 70mm (2.75 inch) rockets. Additionally, it can deploy precision-guided munitions, including JDAMs (Joint Direct Attack Munitions) and Paveway laser-guided bombs. The aircraft's capability to carry cluster bombs further augments its anti-armor operations. The A-10's survivability is central to its design, ensuring it can endure and operate even under intense enemy fire. Armor constitutes nearly six percent of the A-10's empty weight. Its cockpit and parts of its flight-control system are protected by 1,200 pounds (about 544 kg) of titanium armor, aptly termed the "bathtub." This armor can withstand direct hits from armor-piercing and high-explosive projectiles up to 23mm. With its expansive wing area, high wing aspect ratio, and large ailerons, the A-10 excels in agility at low speeds and altitudes. This wing configuration aids in brief takeoffs and landings, enabling it to operate from rudimentary forward airfields close to battle lines. Capable of loitering for extended periods and functioning under 1,000-foot (300 m) ceilings with a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) visibility, it predominantly cruises at a measured speed of 300 knots (560 km/h). This pace makes it especially suited for ground-attack roles compared to faster fighter-bombers, which can find it challenging to target small, slow-moving entities. Join our YouTube channel by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3asNo2n Find us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/3PM21xW Find us on Facebook: https://bit.ly/3t2Huvb Find us on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3wQfXzA Find us on TikTok: https://bit.ly/3wNsBOu Get the latest stories: https://interestingengineering.com/ Support IE for high-quality journalism: https://interestingengineering.com/su...