How many A-10 Warthogs have been shot down?
(Many returned to base almost unflyable, but only seven Warthogs have ever been shot down or crashed due to combat.) Production had been shut down since 1984, and zero effort had been put into coming up with a direct replacement.
How many a 10s were shot down?
The A-10 force, flying more than 8,000 combat sorties, suffered only five A-10s destroyed (a loss rate of . 062 percent). Twenty of these aircraft returned with significant battle damage, and forty-five others returned with light damage that was repaired between sorties.
Can the A-10 dogfight?
Everybody knows the A-10 can bring the pain to ground targets like few aircraft in history, but the aircraft’s tight turn radius and powerful gun can actually make it a force to be reckoned with in a dogfight too.
Is an A-10 a fighter jet?
The A-10 Thunderbolt is unlike any “fighter” before or since, with survivability features designed to keep it flying during an attack run and make it back to base. The plane featured redundant engineering features designed to keep the plane flying though parts of it were shot away.
Were a10s used in Vietnam?
The A-10 was designed for close support in low intensity conflicts during the Vietnam War, yet it came to be seen as a dedicated anti-armor platform by the early 1970s.
Is the A-10 armored?
The A-10 is heavily armored, flying low and slow over the battlefield, loitering for long periods of time searching for target opportunities or answering calls for air support from ground troops. It’s a remarkable aircraft built to absorb significant damage and still continue to fly.
Are a 10s still being built?
In 2007, the USAF expected the A-10 to remain in service until 2028 and possibly later, when it would likely be replaced by the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.
How old is the A-10 Warthog?
The A-10 Thunderbolt II (also called the Warthog) is an attack aircraft made by Fairchild Republic. It first flew in 1972 and was introduced in 1977. It is designed to drop bombs, fire rockets, missiles, and its 30mm Gatling gun at enemies on the ground (such as tanks).
Why was the A-10 used in the war?
The aircraft was used extensively during Operation Desert Storm, in support of Nato operations in response to the Kosovo crisis, in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The A-10 is a high-survivability and versatile aircraft, popular with pilots for the ‘get home’ effectiveness.
Did the A-10 survive the Gulf War and fly again?
“A-10 ‘Warthogs’ damaged heavily in Gulf War bug survived to fly again.” Aviation Week and Space Technology, 5 August 1991. ^ a b Jenkins 1998, pp. 47, 49. ^ Spick 2000, p.
Why is the A-10 called the Warthog?
The manoeuvrability at low speed and low altitude (below 1,000ft) allows accurate and effective targeting and weapon delivery over all types of terrain. “The A-10 Thunderbolt is also known as the Warthog.” The first flight of the A-10 was in May 1972, and a total of 713 aircraft were produced.
What are some of the most interesting A-10 facts?
One of the most interesting A-10 facts deals with its armor. The skin of the aircraft is not structural, and any damage done to it does not compromise the heavily reinforced airframe. The cockpit and flight control functions are the most heavily protected.