The A-10 Thunderbolt II

by Andy Ko February 11, 2000

http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hall/5777/A-10.html

History
Lessons learned from Korea and Vietnam War Need for close air support Model the A-1 Skyraider AX Program June 1966 USAF send RFP to 21 companies Parallel Paid Study Contract
http://skyraider.org/skyassn/otherpics/mignard/602sos/602sos.htm

1970 - Requirements finalized, bidding starts

Northtrop & Fairchild Republic selected for fly-off

1972 - Fly-off begins Jan 1973 - Fairchilds A-10 announced to be the winner

Requirements
Speed: 350-400 kts. 250 nm. operational radius with:
9500 lbs external stores and internal ammunition

Field Length = 4000 ft. at Max TOGW Simplicity

Only proven/off-the-shelf technology Exception: High BPR turbofans

Survivability
Redundancy

Cheap
$3.02 Million (F-16 ,F-18, Harrier)
F-16, $9.5 - $12.8 Million F-18, $24 Million AV-8B, $23.7 Million

http://www.af.mil/news/factsheets/A_10_OA_10_Thunderbolt_II.html

Dimensions Wing span Length overall Height overall Weights Operating empty Basic design weight Internal fuel Max external load Take-off weights Maximum CAS mission Anti-armour mission Ferry 50000lbs 47094lbs 42071lbs 49774lbs 57ft 6in 53ft 4in 14ft 8in

Performance Never-exceed speed Max level speed at sea level, clean Combat speed at 5000ft with six Mk82 bombs Cruising speed at sea level Sea-level rate of climb at design weight Service ceiling Combat radii Anti-armour configuration, 30min combat, 40nm penetration and exit CAS configuration, 1.88hr single-engine loiter at 5000ft, 10min combat Ferry range, 50kt headwinds, 20 min reserve 450kts 381kts 380kts 300kts 6000ft/min 45000ft

24959lbs 30384lbs 10700lbs 16000lbs

252nm 250nm 2240nm

Graphics from Dana Bell, A-10 Warthog in detail & Scale,

Configuration
Cantilever Low wing Airfoils
NACA 6716 on centerline, NACA 6713 at tip Provides low wing loading (92.14 lb/sq ft)

Wide Chords
Mean wing chord = 8ft 11.32in

2 segment, 3 position Fowler flaps

No leading edge devices

Wide span ailerons

Dual upper and lower surfaces for airbrakes SAS (Stability Augmentation System)

H-Tail
No deep stall Spin resistance
Graphics from Dana Bell, A-10 Warthog in detail & Scale,

Configuration (Contd)
Little Sweep
Mach number no greater than 0.68

Aspect Ratio = 6.54 Taper ratio = 0.65 Engines

TF34-GE-100 (6.2 BPR) 9065 lbs. Static thrust Turbofan vs. Turboprop vs. Turbojet? Placement
Nozzles are canted 9 upward
http://www.a-10.org/photos/photos5.html

Landing Gear
Forward retracting Exposed wheels when retracted

http://www.a-10.org/photos/photos6.html

Improvements / Fixes
Stall problem
Initially a fixed slat was installed, later changed to a movable slat Stall strip added to the leading edge Wing root modified with a fillet Forward projecting strakes

Drag improvements
Increased wing-span by 30 in. Hoerner wingtips
Induced drag Aileron effectiveness
http://www.a-10.org/photos/photos7.html

Canopy and windscreen shapes refined Pylons shortened and streamlined Reduced landing gear pod cross section

http://www.a-10.org/photos/photos.html

Comparison with other Attack Aircraft

A-10 Thunderbolt II Max T/O Weight (lbs) Max Speed at S/L (kts) Max Range (nmi) T/O Distance at Max T/O Weight (ft) Max Wing Loading (lb/sq ft) T/W Ratio 47400 390 2300 4500 92.14 0.6 SU-25 Frogfoot 38800 526 675* 3935 95.87 0.511 AV-8B Harrier II 14061 575 1700 1700 129.87 1.03 A-6 Intruder 60400 560 2380** 4560 114.2 0.346

* With combat load ** With external fuel tanks (tanks retained)

Survivability and Lethality

Redundant control system
2 hydraulic controls (separated) and 1 cable manual reversion H-tail provides 2 separated control surfaces

Redundant structure Titanium bathtub for pilot

1.5 in thick bulletproof canopy

Weapon loads
GAU-8/A Avenger 30mm seven barrel gun
1350 rounds at 2100 or 4200 rounds/min
Smithsonian Air & Space Magazine, March 1999, pg 27

11 store pylons with max external load of 16000 lbs