In 2012, Air Combat Command requested the testing of a 600-US-gallon (2,300L; 500impgal) external fuel tank which would extend the A-10's loitering time by 45–60 minutes; flight testing of such a tank had been conducted in 1997 but did not involve combat evaluation. There is serious discussion about having the F-35 Lightning II perform many of the functions currently handled by the A-10. After a broad review of its tactical force structure, the USAF decided to adopt a low-cost aircraft to supplement the F-4 and F-111.

A-10 Warthog: 50 Facts About This Legendary Aircraft A-10 Warthog: 50 Facts About This Legendary Aircraft

Chad Hennings was a defensive lineman with the Dallas Cowboys after he served in the Air Force piloting an A-10 during the Gulf War. Compromised fuel transfer lines self-seal; if damage exceeds a tank's self-sealing capabilities, check valves prevent fuel from flowing into a compromised tank. According to Dan Grazier from Project on Government Oversight, the Air Force is ill-prepared for this transition because it requires no Close Air Support training for its F-35 pilots, despite the F-35 being advertised as the main replacement for the A-10. flight-hour service lives were becoming common at the time, so fatigue testing of the A-10 continued with a new 8,000-hour target.As of 2017 [update], 282 A-10C aircraft are reported as operational, divided as follows: 141 USAF, 55 AFRC, 86 ANG. On 28 June 2012, the A-10 became the first aircraft to fly using a new fuel blend derived from alcohol; known as ATJ (Alcohol-to-Jet), the fuel is cellulosic-based and can be produced using wood, paper, grass, or any cellulose-based material, which are fermented into alcohols before being hydro-processed into aviation fuel.

A-10 Warthog, Revell 85-5521 (2017) - Scalemates

In March 2011, six A-10s were deployed as part of Operation Odyssey Dawn, the coalition intervention in Libya.The generally accepted definitions are: KIT means that you get all of the components of the plane, i. The Army selected the Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne, a more capable attack aircraft with greater speed for initial production. A 1965 cost-effectiveness study shifted the focus from the F-5 to the less expensive A-7D variant of the LTV A-7 Corsair II, and a contract was awarded. Scale The “warthog” is a real eye-catcher – not only the original flight picture impresses, but also the numerous small details on the model. percent, flew 8,100 sorties, and launched 90 percent of the AGM-65 Maverick missiles fired in the conflict.

A10 Warthog - Surrey Models

An A-10C Thunderbolt II assigned to the 47th Fighter Squadron performs a low-angle strafe during the 2016 Hawgsmoke competition at the Barry M. Encyclopedia of US Air Force Aircraft and Missile Systems: Volume 1 Post-World War II Fighters 1945–1973. Most fuel system components are inside the tanks so that component failure will not lead to fuel loss. Multiple variations have tried – a “peanut scheme” of sand, yellow and field drab, a black and white version for winter work, and a brown, green, and tan version. Since the A-10 Thunderbolt II flies so low to the ground, paint schemes for camouflage are more important here than with other aircraft.The stall speed is low for an aircraft of its size—138 miles per hour—allowing the A-10 its superb low-speed maneuverability. The leading edge of the wing has a honeycomb structure panel construction, providing strength with minimal weight; similar panels cover the flap shrouds, elevators, rudders and sections of the fins. It carries 1350 rounds of ammunition, a fire control head-up display, CRT TV monitor, laser spot seeker plus a diversified armament panel that can facilitate any operational need. On 19 January 2018, 12 A-10s from the 303d Expeditionary Fighter Squadron were deployed to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, to provide CAS, marking the first time in more than three years A-10s had been deployed to Afghanistan. In 2001, the cracks were reclassified as "critical", which meant they were considered repairs and not upgrades, which allowed bypassing normal acquisition channels for more rapid implementation.