A-10

[seabat]

Chairboy wrote:

"The Marines I spoke with said that they'd take 'em in a heartbeat for all the obvious reasons, but that back in 97 it was determined that they wouldn't fit through the hangar doors on amphib carriers (which they did test landings and takeoffs from) without modifications that would take away a lot of what makes the A-10 great while costing a buttload of money they didn't have."

Geez, a hacksaw, a couple of gate hinges and latches from Home Depot, instant folding wings!

Seriously,  I had heard the same results about the feasibility study.   Its a shame that the plane was designed using one point of view and prior to the latest Joint Services thought process.

Howdy Krush!

[Murdr]

Originally posted by Dnil
going off memory here but I think it was the key west agreement that states the army wont fly armed fixed wing aircraft.  The mowhawk in vietnam had to stop shooting rockets because of it.

The Johnson-McConnell Agreement of 1966 actually.  Some critics are now saying that it is out of date, and that a new doctrine between army/af needs to be hammered out.  The key issue is that it is possible that air-to-air helo gunship battles could develop.  "freedom of action in the air" is the AFs responsiblity, however DOD has been funding the Armys capiblilty to perform helo to helo combat for years.  Johnson-McConnell short sightedly divided the army/af roles based on equipment, rather than their missions.

[Dnil]

i looked it up again, the key west agreement of 48 is the foundation of no fixed wing attack aircraft in the army.

edit to clarify, at least dealing with the mowhawk. around 1965 the stink started with the AF as to the CAS role, the AF saying it violated the 48 agreement.  Around 65/66 they again redifined their current roles.  This said no more armed mowhawks could be made, but they were still used in "self defense" roles.  

Aint politics grand.

[VOR]

A little off-topic, but speaking of Mohawks and A-10s...airshow coming up here at Campbell on the 19th. Both types will be there, along with others. For those interested in learning more:

http://www.campbell.army.mil/pdf/Week_of_Eagles_2004.pdf

[VWE]

The a10 is designed as an anti tank aircraft equipped with a 30 mm gataling gun which fires in excess of 3500 rounds per minute.  

The A10 is manufactured by Fairchild Republic and is considered to be a light attack bomber.  

It weighs 24,960 lbs empty and has a max weight of 50,000 lbs.
The A-10 is 53' 4" long and has a wing span of 57' 6" which makes it  very large for a single pilot, fighter type aircraft.
 
It is powered by two General Electric TF-34 producing 9065 lbs of thrust with a total combined thrust of 18,130 lbs.  The warthog has a maximum speed of 518 mph and a cruise speed of 345 mph.

Maximum speed at sea level is 420 mph.

[Chairboy]

The plane is essentially built around the gun.  Here's a handy picture for comparison:

[hawker238]

Originally posted by Chairboy
The plane is essentially built around the gun.  Here's a handy picture for comparison:

Kinda funny considering now the gun has become a secondary (at best) weapon.  The maverick has become the weapon of choice.