The A-10 Thunderbolt is a single-seat, close-air support fighter jet that also goes by the names Warthog and Tankbuster. Development for the aircraft began in 1967 and its first flight was in 1972. There are several reasons why the A-10 has proved popular enough to weather 40-plus years of advancing military tech – chief among them its combat versatility and high survival rate.
The A-10 boasts a short takeoff and landing capacity with a range of nearly 1,300 kilometres (800 miles). Commonly used for troop support and ground attacks, it can loiter for long periods at low speeds and altitudes below 300 metres (985 feet) and it’s capable of soaking up as much damage as it can dish out. Indeed, the A-10 can take direct hits from armour-piercing and explosive…
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History of War Book of Combat Machines (Digital) - 1 Issue, History of War Book of Combat Machines 2016