A-10 Warthog: 50 Facts About This Legendary Aircraft

The A-10 Warthog’s Unique Design Sets It Apart

An A-10 Thunderbolt II, assigned to the 74th Fighter Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, GA, returns to mission after receiving fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker, 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, over the skies of Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, May 8, 2011.

The design of the A-10 Warthog is nearly unique. It reflects the aircraft’s mission. The large wing area, large left & right ailerons, and high wing aspect ration all contribute to the A-10’s excellent maneuverability, particularly at low speeds. The A-10 is almost as long as it is wide. The wingspan measures 57 feet 6 inches. The length of the aircraft is 53 feet 4 inches long. The wing design, wheelbase, combined with its oversized turbofan engines, allow the A-10 to take off and land on shorter, primitive airfields. These engineering choices give the aircraft the ability to land as close to the front line of battle as possible. The airframe is designed as a honeycomb structure, which decreases weight while adding strength. This allows the A-10 to fly further and longer in order to engage targets. Also the aircraft’s cockpit bubble canopy allows 360-degree views of the battlefield