Fairchild-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is a single-seat attack aircraft with a turbofan engine. The flight of the prototype took place in 1972, and serial production - in 1975-1984. A total of 715 copies of this aircraft were built. The main task of the A-10 was the fight against the armored vehicles of the Warsaw Pact in Central and Western Europe. It was also supposed to balance the numerical advantage of the USSR over NATO troops in armored weapons. This task resulted in the aircraft being highly resistant to damage, cabin armor unheard of in other assault vehicles, and very high structural strength. A-10 is also maneuverable - at 275 km/h, the turning radius is 300 meters, increasing to 400 m when the speed increases by 550 km/h. The main armament is the GAU-8/A 30 mm rapid-fire cannon. In addition, the aircraft can carry from 6,500 to 7,300 kg of weapons, depending on the amount of fuel pumped. The A-10 Thunderbolt II was used in combat during Operation Desert Storm, where it performed well and proved its high value. Technical data: Maximum speed: 706 km/h; maximum flight range: 3950 kg, altitude speed 30.5 m/s.
