The A-10 Warthog is a single-seat twin-engine straight-wing jet aircraft developed by Fairchild-Republic in the early 1970s. It was designed specifically for close air support (CAS) of ground forces and carries eleven external stores. The Warthog is armed with a General Electric GAU-8/A Avenger 30 mm Gatling gun the heaviest such weapon ever fitted to an aircraft.
While the A-10 was designed for the CAS role it has also been used in a variety of other roles including as an anti-tank aircraft as well as for reconnaissance and forward air control. It has also seen action in a number of conflicts including the Gulf War the Kosovo War the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War.
The A-10’s primary mission is to provide direct support to ground troops by attacking tanks armored vehicles and other ground targets with its 30 mm Gatling gun. The Warthog can also carry a variety of other weapons including rockets and bombs for use in other missions.
The A-10 has a very high rate of fire for its Gatling gun which can fire up to 3900 rounds per minute. This high rate of fire is possible because the gun is internally powered meaning that it does not need to be reloaded after each burst of fire.
The high rate of fire combined with the aircraft’s large ammunition capacity makes the A-10 a very effective CAS platform. The Warthog has been credited with saving the lives of many ground troops in combat situations.
What is the maximum rate of fire for the A-10 Warthog’s GAU-8 Avenger Gatling gun?
The GAU-8 can fire 3900 rounds per minute.
What is the record for the most kills by an A-10 in a single sortie?
The record is held by an A-10 flown by then-Captain Kim Campbell who destroyed 12 tanks 2 armored personnel carriers and an anti-aircraft gun in a single sortie during the 1991 Gulf War.
How many missiles can an A-10 carry?
An A-10 can carry up to 16 AGM-65 Mavericks AIM-9 Sidewinders or a combination of both.
What is the maximum speed of an A-10?
The maximum speed of an A-10 is 630 miles per hour.
What is the range of an A-10?
The A-10 has a combat range of over 2000 miles.
What is the empty weight of an A-10?
The empty weight of an A-10 is 30280 pounds.
What is the maximum take-off weight of an A-10?
The maximum take-off weight of an A-10 is 58000 pounds.
What is the service ceiling of an A-10?
The service ceiling of an A-10 is 45000 feet.
What is the maximum rate of climb for an A-10?
The maximum rate of climb for an A-10 is 5000 feet per minute.
What is the maximum payload an A-10 can carry?
The maximum payload an A-10 can carry is 16000 pounds.
What is the length of an A-10?
The length of an A-10 is 53 feet 4 inches.
What is the wingspan of an A-10?
The wingspan of an A-10 is 57 feet 6 inches.
What is the height of an A-10?
The height of an A-10 is 14 feet 8 inches.
What is the armament of an A-10?
The armament of an A-10 consists of one GAU-8 Avenger 30 mm seven-barrel Gatling gun four AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles and up to 16 AGM-65 Maverick missiles.
What is the maximum range of the GAU-8 Avenger Gatling gun?
The maximum range of the GAU-8 Avenger Gatling gun is 4000 feet.
