Fairchild Republic A-10 "Warthog" Thunderbolt II

Fairchild Republic and Northrop each built two prototypes for the US Air Force's A-X programme (Attack, Experimental), which was first initiated in 1967, for a close air support aircraft.
The first Fairchild Republic prototype, YA-10A, was in comparative evaluation against the Northrop A-9A.
The YA-10A was built around the 30 mm GAU-8/A Avenger Gatling-type rotary cannon
Finally, on January 18, 1973 it was annouced that Fairchild's design was the winner and received a contract.
First flight by a production A-10A Thunderbolt II was on October 21, 1975.
In 1983, after a funding cut,a total of 713 production A-10s had been produced.
Delivery was completed on March 20, 1984.
There are still 327 aircraft in service with the USAF, USAF Reserve and ANG in 1994.
The Thunderbolt II was also used during the Gulf War in 1991.

Two General Electric TF34-GE-100 dry thrust turbofan engines.
Each rated at 40.3 kN (9065 lb, 4112 kg).
Each enclosed in separate pods, mounted to the upper rear fuselage.
Fuel is stored in two tear-resistant and self-sealing cells in the fuselage, and two smaller cells in the wing centre-section.
Maximum internal fuel capacity: 4853 kg (10,700 lb).

Single-seat, enclosed cockpit, well forward of wings.
Includes large transparent bubble canopy to provide all-round vision including bulletproof windscreen.
Entire cockpit structure is protected by an armoured 'bathtub' structure of titanium, capable of withstanding up to 23 mm projectiles.

General Electric GAU-8/A Avenger 30 mm seven-barrel cannon, mounted in nose with depression and an offset to keep firing on aircraft's centreline.
The single drum magazine has a capacity of 1350 rounds, and has a dual firing rate of either 2100 or 4200 rounds per minute.
Four pylons located under each wing (one inboard and three outboard), and three under fuselage
Max external load of 7,257 kg (16,000 lb).
Max external loadout with full internal fuel is at 5,482 kg (12,086 lb).
The four outermost wing pylons also allows a wide range of stores to be loaded, including:

DIMENSIONS:
Wingspan:	17.53 m	57 ft 6 in
Wing chord:
at root:	3.04 m	9 ft 11 1/2 in
mean:	2.73 m	8 ft 11 1/3 in
at tip:	1.99 m	6 ft 6 2/5 in
Wing aspect ratio:	6.54
Length overall:	16.26 m	53 ft 4 in
Height overall:	4.47 m	14 ft 8 in
Tailplane span:	5.74 m	18 ft 10 in
WEIGHTS AND LOADINGS:
Manufacturer's empty weight:	9183 kg	20,246 lb
Basic equipped weight,'clean':	10,600 kg	23,370 lb
Operating weight empty:	10,710 kg	23,611 lb
Basic design weight, equipped:	13925 kg	30,700 lb
Max Take-Off weight:	500 kg	47,400 lb
Thrust/weight ratio:	0.6
PERFORMANCE: (at max T.O. weight except where indicated)
Never exceed speed:	450 knots	834 km/h; 518 mph
Max combat speed at S/L, 'clean':	390 knots	722 km/h; 449 mph
Combat speed at 1525 m (5000 ft):
with six Mk 82 bombs:	385 knots	713 km/h; 443 mph
Cruising speed at S/L:	300 knots	555 km/h; 345 mph
Cruising speed at 1525 (5000 ft):	342 knots	634 km/h; 394 mph
Max rate of climb at S/L at:
basic design weight:	1828 m/min	6000 ft/min
T.O. distance:
at max T.O. weight:	1372 m	4500 ft
at forward airstrip weight:	426 m	1400 ft
Landing distance:
at max T.O. weight:	762 m	(2500 ft)
Operational radius:
close air support and escort:	2 h loiter
20 min reserves:	250 nm	463 km; 288 miles
reconnissance:	400 nm	740 km; 460 miles
deep strike:	540 nm	1000 km; 620 miles