Aircraft for FS2004.

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Fairchild Republic A-10A "Warthog" Thunderbolt II
USAFE 52d Fighter Wing 81st Fighter Squadron 81-0963
Spangdahlem Germany
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Credits:

Original model: Kirk Olsson
Repaint : Marcel Verdult
Sound and Panel: Webinblue
Minor Modifications and Package: Maverick
Special thanks: Marcel Ritzema

Aircraft comes with 3D gear bay's, full moving parts (landing gear, nose wheel, spinning wheels, control surfaces,
airbrakes, and pilothead). The A-10A is used for close air support with the primary role of destroying enemy armour.
Aircraft made with FS Design Studio Pro.

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Mission:

The A/OA-10 Thunderbolt II is the first Air Force aircraft specially designed for close air support of ground forces.
They are simple, effective and survivable twin-engine jet aircraft that can be used against all ground targets,
including tanks and other armored vehicles.

Features:

The A-10/OA-10 have excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude, and are highly accurate weapons-delivery
platforms. They can loiter near battle areas for extended periods of time and operate under 1,000-foot ceilings
(303.3 meters) with 1.5-mile (2.4 kilometers) visibility. Their wide combat radius and short takeoff and landing
capability permit operations in and out of locations near front lines. Using night vision goggles, A-10/ OA-10 pilots can
conduct their missions during darkness.

Thunderbolt IIs have Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS), goggle compatible single-seat cockpits forward of their wings
and a large bubble canopy which provides pilots all-around vision. The pilots are protected by titanium armor that also
protects parts of the flight-control system. The redundant primary structural sections allow the aircraft to enjoy better
survivability during close air support than did previous aircraft.

The aircraft can survive direct hits from armor-piercing and high explosive projectiles up to 23mm. Their self-sealing
fuel cells are protected by internal and external foam. Manual systems back up their redundant hydraulic flight-control
systems. This permits pilots to fly and land when hydraulic power is lost.

The Thunderbolt II can be serviced and operated from bases with limited facilities near battle areas. Many of the
aircraft's parts are interchangeable left and right, including the engines, main landing gear and vertical stabilizers.

Avionics equipment includes communications, inertial navigation systems, fire control and weapons delivery systems,
target penetration aids and night vision goggles. Their weapons delivery systems include heads-up displays that indicate
airspeed, altitude, dive angle, navigation information and weapons aiming references; a low altitude safety and targeting
enhancement system (LASTE) which provides constantly computing impact point freefall ordnance delivery; and Pave Penny
laser-tracking pods under the fuselage. The aircraft also have armament control panels, and infrared and electronic
countermeasures to handle surface-to-air-missile threats. Installation of the Global Positioning System is currently
underway for all aircraft.

The Thunderbolt II's 30mm GAU-8/A Gatling gun can fire 3,900 rounds a minute and can defeat an array of ground targets to
include tanks. Some of their other equipment includes an inertial navigation system, electronic countermeasures, target
penetration aids, self-protection systems, and AGM-65 Maverick and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.