A‑10 Thunderbolt II upgraded: Full combat configuration unveiled in recent photos
A fascinating photo of A-10 Thunderbolt II assault planes stationed somewhere in the Middle East has recently surfaced online. The A-10s, colloquially known as "Warthogs", are showcased in a new full combat configuration for the first time, reflecting notable enhancements in their capabilities.
1:56 PM EST, November 10, 2023
The images show the A-10 Thunderbolt II assault planes from the American 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron currently based in some undisclosed location in the Middle East. Aircraft models with such extensive equipment were last seen in action during the First and Second Gulf Wars.
Particularly notable here is the full assault configuration, which includes the recently integrated GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs (SDB) and AIM-9M Sidewinder air-to-air missiles for self-defense in hostile enemy airspace.
Features of the Cold War Legend in the Middle East
The Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II, introduced to the United States Air Force (USAF) in mid-'70s, remains a formidable anti-tank and close air support resource for the U.S. It's a heavily armored aircraft designed to operate at low altitudes in areas of anti-aircraft systems. The pilot is protected within a titanium "bathtub" that safeguards key systems, while other non-armored ones are duplicated.
This iconic model features a powerful seven-barrel 30 mm GAU-8/A Avenger gun, with barrels approximately 7.5 feet long. Although the gun is capable of a maximum fire rate of 4200 rounds per minute, its rate is limited to 3900 rounds per minute to minimize barrel wear.
The aircraft utilizes specialized ammunition equipped with depleted uranium penetrators, capable of piercing the top armor of modern tanks. The aircraft holds ammo for 18 seconds of continuous fire (being fired in half-second bursts).
In addition to its mighty piercing strength, the A-10 can carry over 7.7 tons of weapons on 11 mounts. The current loadout includes:
- AGM-65 Maverick anti-tank missiles,
- unguided Mark 80 bombs,
- guided JDAM or Paveway bombs,
- launchers of unguided Hydra missiles or guided APKWS,
- LITENING targeting pods for precise weapons,
- GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs (SDB),
- Air-to-air AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles.
The last two mentioned weapon systems are especially noteworthy. The first, SDB bombs, were only integrated into A-10 in 2023. Weighing around 286 lbs, these glide bombs can hit targets at a distance of more than 62 miles, depending on the altitude and speed of the aircraft.
Introduced to service in 2006, each bomb costs $40,000 and is equipped with a 205 lbs warhead. According to Boeing, it's capable of penetrating over 35 inches of reinforced concrete, providing exceptional accuracy within yards due to its GPS and INS navigation systems.
Importantly, engineers have developed a special bracket for the A-10 bomber allowing it to carry up to four bombs on one mount, meaning the A-10 can carry a maximum load of 16 SDB bombs.
The addition of AIM-9M Sidewinder air-to-air missiles to the A-10 is also noteworthy. While these missiles are primarily for self-defense, as A-10 bombers are usually covered by more suitable air combat aircraft like the F-16, F-15, or F-35, the A-10 can still engage in emergency air-to-air combat. A suitable example of this would be during Desert Storm when an Iraqi Mi-8 helicopter was downed by an A-10..
