Military
The Fairchild-Republic A-10A "Thunderbolt II" is 53 feet, 4 inches long, 17 feet, 8 inches high, with a wingspan of 57 feet, 6 inches, a maximum weight of 50,000 pounds, a cruising speed of 345 miles per hour, a maximum speed of 518 miles per hour, and a ceiling of 44,200 feet. The A/OA10 "Thunderbolt II" has been in service with the Air Force since 1975. A-10s have served at Eielson since 1981, first with the 18th Fighter Squadron, then the 11th Tactical Air Support Squadron, and finally with the 355th Fighter Squadron when that unit was activated at Eielson on August 20, 1993. Pilots in the A-10 are protected by a titanium "bath tub" capable of surviving direct hits from armor-piercing and high explosive projectiles up to 23mm. Manual systems back up redundant hydraulic flight controls, self-sealing fuel cells are protected by internal and external foam, and maintenance is made easier because the vertical stabilizers, landing gear, and engines are interchangeable left and right. The aircraft's primary mission is close air support for ground forces by attacking ground targets including tanks and other armored vehicles. Although it achieves speeds just over 500 miles per hour, the A-10 can loiter over battle areas for extended periods and bring to bear the power of its 3,900-round-per-minute 30mm gatling gun and a wide variety of ordnance carried on multiple hard points under the wings and fuselage.
Hear stories like this as you drive
ExploreHere reads historical markers out loud as you pass them: over 325,000 stories across the US. No account needed.
4.7 · 800+ ratings · Free
FIND IT
Eielson AFB, Alaska · United States
