Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt
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Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt

Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II

 

The aircraft Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft is American-made, which is controlled by one pilot. This machine is equipped with two engines. The main objective of this device is the destruction of ground equipment of the enemy troops. This product was named so in honor of the legendary World War II aircraft with the designation P-47 «Thunderbolt".

The history of the airplane Fairchild Ripablik A-10 «Thunderbolt» II

This machine is designed in the beginning due to the necessity of a new attack aircraft, which should have a significantly higher booking rates, which should enhance the combat endurance. During the Vietnam War, Americans widely used stormtroopers Class A-1, 28-T and others, but they were equipped with a thin armor, due to which a lot of cars has been lost.

Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt photo

Research in this sector of aircraft the US Air Force began in 1966 year program to develop a pilot of attack aircraft impact. By the spring of the year 67 requirements have been developed, which specifies the basic characteristics to be met by future aircraft. These requirements have been sent directly to the aircraft manufacturers.

customers' main demand was the production of the device for a relatively low price, thus it must be reinforced armor and reach speeds in 650 km / h. With all of this attack must have good maneuverability at low altitudes. It spelled out the requirement of the possibility to use the plane on dirt airfields. As for the design, it was necessary to equip a large number of external suspension assemblies for mounting weapons or special equipment.

Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt

On a competitive basis, the US Air Force selected two major developments, among them Northrop and Fairchild Republic. Last machine was more expensive, but it produced on 20 days earlier, which allowed him to take to the air in May 1972 years. For in-depth testing of these machines on the basis of Edwards was prepared by a division of experienced pilots.

Tests of both vehicles in the comparative scheme was launched in the autumn of the year 72. The main ground test was to check on the vitality of the body with the use of a Soviet-style weapons. In further testing machines did not have a significant advantage between. But the machine type, "Northrop" different and better maneuverability at a distance take-apart from the runway. A device "Ripablik Fairchild," in turn was more economical in use, and held much easier maintenance.

Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt

Eventually, in the summer of 73 years winner in comparative research data released YA-10A. After that, the Air Force made an order for this class 10 machines in "Fairchild Ripablik". For this order was paid almost 160 million.

The first pre-production aircraft of model YA-10A was ready at the beginning of 75 year, and for the first time made a detachment from the airfield in February of the same year. At the same time, the aircraft received the additional name "Thunderbolt" II. In the early autumn of 1975, it was equipped with combat weapons, which included a large-caliber gun of the type GAU-8. It should be noted that the 30-millimeter cannon was designed specifically for this attack aircraft, it was not used before. It was a powerful artillery weapon that was never installed on airplanes. Due to the fact that the edge was located at the center of the bow and, accordingly, took up a lot of space, it was necessary to shift the bow of the landing gear system. This weapon could destroy a tank of class T-62 from a distance of 1,2 kilometers.

Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt stall

Production went accelerated pace, thereby managed to create the first squadron of stormtroopers data 1977 year. Serial production of the unit continued to 84 years, but after that the car produced to order. During the period of mass production was created 715 aircraft of type A-10.

Design features of attack aircraft A-10 «Thunderbolt» II

The machine is made in the normal scheme of aerodynamics, which wings are positioned low. They had the shape of a trapezoid and are equipped with two-keel empennage vertical type. The body is constructed as a monocoque. At the front of the device has been installed pilot lamp, which improved visibility in all planes. In the central part of the gondolas were installed with engines, this arrangement helped to stabilize the flow of air from the engines and maneuvering overload.

Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt

The gases pass from the turbofan in a way that reduces visibility while flying machines because they are above the planes stabilizers. Reduction of visibility contributes to the fact that the engine is equipped with dual circuit cooling, which does not allow the motors become hot.

Wing structure consisted of two brackets, which have a greater degree of sweep in the front. For the best generation of eddy currents ends consoles were bent down. In the center section, and the consoles were installed flaps Fowler, who had three positions. Equipped with automatic center-type slats, they are located between the gondola chassis and body board. Last part of the wing also had ailerons, consisting of two parts. They could be cleaved and thus act as air brakes.

Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt

The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft has a chassis system, which is represented by three pillars with a nose post. On the main racks, one wheel with pneumatics is installed, which allows takeoff from ground airfields and from flat rugged terrain with a grass cover. Racks during the flight are retracted into special niches in the wing gondolas. The nose post also has one wheel, but its feature is that it is offset by 40 centimeters from the center of symmetry, since the central part is used to mount the gun. The pilot's cabin is designed in a bath scheme, which is assembled from armored titanium sheets, bolted together.

The power plant unit was represented by two turbofan engines, which produced the company "General Electric". They were designated TF34-GE-100F. Each engine gave power 4100 kg. All fuels were located in fuselage tanks, armored sheets made of porous filler. In addition, all fuel lines were also armored.

Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt

Many aircraft units operated by a hydraulic system, which had a self-contained pumps, working on engines. Normal pressure was 210 kg / cm2. Power is supplied from the three-phase generators mounted on the engines of the power plant. In an emergency, use the battery, located on the side of the machine. At the ground work or idle engine unit has an auxiliary power system. The cockpit is also an armchair type ACES II, by which the pilot could be evacuated in an emergency.

For high-altitude flight the pilot cabin had a system of maintaining the microclimate and ventilation system, thought canopy heating system. When used fire extinguishing system using Freon.

Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II features:



Modification   A-10
Wingspan, m   17.53
Aircraft Length m   16.26
Height, m   4.47
Wing area, m2   47.01
Weight, kg  
  empty aircraft   11610
  normal takeoff   14865
  maximum take-off   22200
Fuel  
  domestic fuel, kg   4853
  PTB, l   X 3 2271.25
engine's type   2 TRD General Electric TF34-GE-100
Link unforced, kN   X 2 40.32
Maximum speed km / h  
  on high   834
  near the ground   706
Cruising speed, km / h   634
Practical range, km   3949
Combat range, km   463-1000
Rate of climb, m / min   1824
Practical ceiling, m   10600
Crew   1
Armament:  one 30-mm seven-barreled gun GAU-8 / A with 1350 cartridges
 Combat load - normal - 5435 kg or maximum -7258 kg (or 6505 with PTB) on 11 suspension units:
 6 UR air-land AGM-65A Maveric
 9 or 16 ATGM AGM-114 Hellfire
 2 UR air-to-air AIM-9E / J Sidewinder,
 6 907-kg optical guided bombs GBU-15
 18 227-kg laser-guided bombs GBU-12 Paveway II
 6 907-kg bombs,
 12 454-kg bombs Mk.83 or 28 227-kg bombs Mk.82
 20 cluster bombs Rockeye Mk.20
 9 napalm bombs BLU-1 or BLU-27
 16 Bombers CBU-52 or CBU-71
 2 container SUU-23 / A with 20-mm gun
 10 PU LAU-68 7x69 (85) NUR

 

Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II

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