In the
early 1970s, when the USAF was considering an aircraft capable of halting a
Soviet armoured thrust in Central Europe, they looked back at their experiences
in Korea and Vietnam
where aircraft modified for use in the close air support role had exhibited
many shortcomings. Instead they needed a purpose designed aircraft that could
carry a heavy weapons load, have good endurance and be able to withstand damage
from ground fire.
The answer
was a remarkable A-10 designed from the outset to tackle Warsaw Pact armour in Europe. Combining accurate firepower and survivability
the A-10 was designed to fly low and relatively slowly across the battlefield
to take out enemy armour and artillery in the very hostile low level
battlefield environment. The aircraft has high lift wings fitted with large
control surfaces, making the aircraft very manoeuvrable while its short take
off and landing capability permitted operations in and out of rough field
locations near front lines.
All the
aircraft’s controls are duplicated and designed to work even if hydraulic
pressure is lost due to enemy fire. The aircraft’s fuel tanks are filled with
fire retardant foam and the A-10’s pilot sits in a
