JC Wings – Fairchild Republic A-10C Thunderbolt II , ’81-0994’ 107th FS „Red Devils“ 127th Wing USAF , Michigan 2017 „100 Anniversary of the 107th FS“

The A-10 was designed for close air support (CAS) of friendly ground troops, attacking armored vehicles and tanks, and providing quick-action support against enemy ground forces. It entered service in 1976 and is the only production-built aircraft that has served in the USAF that was designed solely for CAS. Its secondary mission is to provide forward air controller – airborne (FAC-A) support, by directing other aircraft in attacks on ground targets. Aircraft used primarily in this role are designated OA-10.

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 53 ft 4 in (16.26 m)
• Wingspan: 57 ft 6 in (17.53 m)
• Height: 14 ft 8 in (4.47 m)
• Wing area: 506 ft² (47.0 m²)
• Airfoil: NACA 6716 root, NACA 6713 tip
• Empty weight: 24,959 lb (11,321 kg)
• Loaded weight: 30,384 lb (13,782 kg)
  CAS mission: 47,094 lb (21,361 kg)
  Anti-armor mission: 42,071 lb (19,083 kg)
• Max. takeoff weight: 51,000 lb (23,133 kg)
• Internal fuel capacity: 11,000 lb (4,990 kg)
• Powerplant: 2 × General Electric TF34-GE-100A turbofans, 9,065 lbf (40.32 kN) each

Performance

• Never exceed speed: 450 knots (518 mph, 833 km/h) at 5,000 ft (1,500 m) with 18 Mk 82 bombs
• Maximum speed: 381 knots (439 mph, 706 km/h) at sea level, clean
• Cruise speed: 300 knots (340 mph, 560 km/h)
• Stall speed: 120 knots (138 mph, 220 km/h
• Combat radius: ** CAS mission: 250 nmi (288 mi, 460 km) at 1.88 hour loiter at 5,000 ft (1,500 m), 10 min combat
  • Anti-armor mission: 252 nmi (290 mi, 467 km), 40 nmi (45 mi, 75 km)) sea-level penetration and exit, 30 min combat
• Ferry range: 2,240 nmi (2,580 mi, 4,150 km) with 50 knot (55 mph, 90 km/h) headwinds, 20 minutes reserve
• Service ceiling: 45,000 ft (13,700 m)
• Rate of climb: 6,000 ft/min (30 m/s)
• Wing loading: 99 lb/ft² (482 kg/m²)
• Thrust/weight: 0.36

Armament

• Guns: 1× 30 mm (1.18 in) GAU-8/A Avenger rotary cannon with 1,174 rounds (capacity 1,350 rd)
• Hardpoints: 11 (8× under-wing and 3× under-fuselage pylon stations) with a capacity of 16,000 lb (7,260 kg) and provisions to carry combinations of:
  • Rockets: *** 4× LAU-61/LAU-68 rocket pods (each with 19×/7× Hydra 70 mm/APKWS rockets, respectively)
    • 6x LAU-131 rocket pods (each with 7x Hydra 70 rockets)
  • Missiles: *** 2× AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles for self-defense
    • 6× AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missiles
  • Bombs: *** Mark 80 series of unguided iron bombs or
    • Mk 77 incendiary bombs or
    • BLU-1, BLU-27/B, CBU-20 Rockeye II, BL755  and CBU-52/58/71/87/89/97 cluster bombs or
    • Paveway series of Laser-guided bombs or
    • Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) (A-10C) or
    • Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser (A-10C)
  • Other: *** SUU-42A/A Flares/Infrared decoys and chaff dispenser pod or
    • AN/ALQ-131 or AN/ALQ-184 ECM pods or
    • Lockheed Martin Sniper XR or LITENING targeting pods (A-10C) or
    • 2× 600 US gal (2,300 L) Sargent Fletcher drop tanks for increased range/loitering time.