Functionality inspections are painstaking procedures; even a minor mistake can result in weapon failure or worse. The USAF’s A-10 Thunderbolt II is the first aircraft specifically designed for providing close…
“I put another 100 rounds down, and the helicopter jinked right into the last burst; the helicopter looked like it had been hit by a bomb,” Capt. Robert “Swaino” Swain, A-10…
It was decided to leave the A-10A Thunderbolt II behind. The “Hog” was never renowned for having cutting-edge technology, and in its post-Operation Desert Storm design, it was only expected…
The A-10’s design philosophy was to support ground troops and make it difficult for enemy anti-aircraft fire to shoot down the aircraft. Specifically, this included operating at low altitudes and…
“There was a major in the Air Force… He saw the first couple of ones. He said, ‘Geez, that thing is as ugly as a warthog.’ And it stuck,” Elliot…
“This is a true testament to the combat survivability of the A-10,” Maj. Gary “Wolfman” Wolf (retired), former A-10 pilot The then-110th Fighter Wing (FW) was operating A-10A Thunderbolt II…
Due to the F-16’s severe vulnerability to ground fire down low during Desert Storm, the A-10 performed better in the CAS role The U.S. Air Force (USAF) began work on…