Difference between revisions of "A-10A Late"

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(Survivability and armour: “Never attempt to engage flare-equipped aircraft in the A-10”)
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<!-- ''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.'' -->
The A-10A Late has a low top speed but retains its manoeuvrability, even with a heavy weapon loadout. The A-10A's low speed means that it will be difficult to reach enemy ground units and bases without being intercepted. It also makes the A-10 vulnerable to any attacking aircraft that flies much faster and SAMs. If engaged in a dogfight, it is very easy to end up energy trapped by the opponent.
+
The A-10A Late has a low top speed but retains its manoeuvrability, even with a heavy weapon loadout. The A-10A's low speed means that it will be difficult to reach enemy ground units and bases without being intercepted. Additionally, this makes the A-10 especially vulnerable to both attacking aircraft and SAMs. Another problem with being so slow is that it is very easy to get energy trapped. This means that any common enemy aircraft can simply fly above the A-10, and with it’s slow speed, it simply has no chance to follow and get in range to use it’s gun. After the A-10 inevitably pitches back down (or stalls), the enemy aircraft will dive down on the slow and vulnerable A-10. While the A-10 can utilize it’s all aspect AIM-9Ls to potentially dispatch aircraft lacking flares before they can initiate an energy trap, flare equipped aircraft should never be engaged unless absolutely necessary as it will likely result in the A-10’s destruction.
  
 
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* 44 mm bulletproof glass (54°) - windshield in front of the pilot
 
* 44 mm bulletproof glass (54°) - windshield in front of the pilot
  
The A-10A is equipped with a whooping 480 countermeasures. This gives an extended and effective protection against even the most potent heat-seeking missiles it will face. However, it is very easy to get energy trapped as any common enemy aircraft can simply fly above the A-10, and with it’s slow speed, it simply has no chance to follow and get in range to use it’s gun. After the A-10 inevitably pitches back down (or stalls), the enemy aircraft will dive down on the slow and vulnerable A-10. While the pilot has ample armor protection, the other parts of the plane, such as the wing, tail and especially the unarmored and exposed engines, will easily be destroyed by any short cannon burst. Therefore, while the A-10 can utilize it’s all aspect AIM-9Ls to dispatch aircraft lacking flares before they can initiate an energy trap, flare equipped aircraft should never be engaged unless absolutely necessary as the end result will likely result in the A-10’s destruction.
+
The A-10A is equipped with a whooping 480 countermeasures. This gives an extended and effective protection against even the most potent heat-seeking missiles it will face. However, while the pilot has ample armor protection, the other parts of the plane, such as the wing, tail and especially the unarmored and exposed engines, will easily be destroyed by any short cannon burst.
  
 
=== Modifications and economy ===
 
=== Modifications and economy ===

Revision as of 07:42, 29 March 2022

Introducing Wiki 3.0
This page is about the American strike aircraft A-10A Late. For the premium version, see A-10A.
A-10A Late
a_10a_late.png
GarageImage A-10A Late.jpg
A-10A Late
AB RB SB
10.3 10.7 10.7
Research:260 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:710 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png

Description

The A-10A Thunderbolt II (Late) is a rank VII American strike aircraft with a battle rating of 10.3 (AB) and 10.7 (RB/SB). It was introduced in Update "Wind of Change".

General info

Flight performance

Air brakes
Allows you to dramatically reduce the flight speed by releasing special flaps
Max speed
at 0 m676 km/h
Turn time29 s
Max altitude12 497 m
Engine2 х General Electric TF34-GE-100A
TypeJet
Cooling systemAir
Take-off weight26 t

The A-10A Late has a low top speed but retains its manoeuvrability, even with a heavy weapon loadout. The A-10A's low speed means that it will be difficult to reach enemy ground units and bases without being intercepted. Additionally, this makes the A-10 especially vulnerable to both attacking aircraft and SAMs. Another problem with being so slow is that it is very easy to get energy trapped. This means that any common enemy aircraft can simply fly above the A-10, and with it’s slow speed, it simply has no chance to follow and get in range to use it’s gun. After the A-10 inevitably pitches back down (or stalls), the enemy aircraft will dive down on the slow and vulnerable A-10. While the A-10 can utilize it’s all aspect AIM-9Ls to potentially dispatch aircraft lacking flares before they can initiate an energy trap, flare equipped aircraft should never be engaged unless absolutely necessary as it will likely result in the A-10’s destruction.

Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 0 m - sea level)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 624 609 12497 30.2 30.8 21.0 19.9 700
Upgraded 662 642 28.5 29.0 30.3 25.3

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear Drogue chute
_ _ _ _ _ _
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
0 370.4 ___ ___ ___ ~__ ~__
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< ___ < ___ < ___ N/A

Engine performance

Engine Aircraft mass
Engine name Number Basic mass Wing loading (full fuel)
_____ _ _,___ kg ___ kg/m2
Engine characteristics Mass with fuel (no weapons load) Max Takeoff
Weight
Weight (each) Type _m fuel __m fuel __m fuel
___ kg ___ _,___ kg _,___ kg _,___ kg _,___ kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB) Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (___%/WEP)
Condition 100% ___%/WEP _m fuel __m fuel __m fuel MTOW
Stationary ___ kgf ___ kgf _.__ _.__ _.__ _.__
Optimal ___ kgf
(_ km/h)
___ kgf
(_ km/h)
_.__ _.__ _.__ _.__

Survivability and armour

Flares/Chaff
Aircraft countermeasures to distract IR and radar-guided missiles and also AA radar
Crew1 person
Speed of destruction
Structural0 km/h
Gear370 km/h

The A-10A has substantial armour around the cockpit, fuel tanks, and transmission. This armour is mostly effective toward autocannons up to 25 mm calibre.

  • 38 mm titanium alloy - "bathtub" around the bottom of the cockpit
  • 44 mm bulletproof glass (54°) - windshield in front of the pilot

The A-10A is equipped with a whooping 480 countermeasures. This gives an extended and effective protection against even the most potent heat-seeking missiles it will face. However, while the pilot has ample armor protection, the other parts of the plane, such as the wing, tail and especially the unarmored and exposed engines, will easily be destroyed by any short cannon burst.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB3 005 → 4 402 Sl icon.png
RB8 476 → 12 417 Sl icon.png
SB9 723 → 14 244 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications229 500 Rp icon.png
355 000 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost2 800 Ge icon.png
Crew training200 000 Sl icon.png
Experts710 000 Sl icon.png
Aces2 800 Ge icon.png
Research Aces1 080 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
100 / 310 / 600 % Sl icon.png
232 / 232 / 232 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods jet compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
9 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods booster.png
New boosters
Research:
13 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
20 000 Sl icon.png
440 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
19 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
30 000 Sl icon.png
640 Ge icon.png
Mods jet engine.png
Engine
Research:
15 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
23 000 Sl icon.png
500 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
9 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
13 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
20 000 Sl icon.png
440 Ge icon.png
Mods g suit.png
G-suit
Research:
19 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
30 000 Sl icon.png
640 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
15 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
23 000 Sl icon.png
500 Ge icon.png
Mods jet engine extinguisher.png
EFS
Research:
15 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
23 000 Sl icon.png
500 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
GAU_8A_belt_pack
Research:
9 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods heli false thermal targets.png
Flares/Chaff
Research:
9 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
Mk82
Research:
9 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon block rocket.png
Hydra 70
Research:
13 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
20 000 Sl icon.png
440 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
Mk84
Research:
13 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
20 000 Sl icon.png
440 Ge icon.png
Mods weapon.png
GAU_8A_new_gun
Research:
19 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
30 000 Sl icon.png
640 Ge icon.png
AGM-65D
Research:
15 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
23 000 Sl icon.png
500 Ge icon.png
Mods air to air missile.png
AIM-9L
Research:
15 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
23 000 Sl icon.png
500 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Ballistic Computer
CCIP (Guns) CCIP (Rockets) CCIP (Bombs) CCRP (Bombs)
Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon GreenCheckmark.png

Offensive armament

Main article: GAU-8/A (30 mm)

The A-10A Late is armed with:

  • A choice between two presets:
    • 1 x 30 mm GAU-8/A cannon, chin-mounted (1,174 rpg)
    • 1 x 30 mm GAU-8/A cannon + 480 x countermeasures

Suspended armament

The A-10A Late can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • Without load
  • 2 x AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles
  • 42 x Hydra-70 M247 rockets
  • 84 x Hydra-70 M247 rockets
  • 84 x Hydra-70 M247 rockets + 4 x AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles
  • 10 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (5,000 lb total)
  • 12 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (6,000 lb total)
  • 12 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs + 4 x AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles (6,000 lb total)
  • 6 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs (12,000 lb total)
  • 6 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs + 4 x AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles (12,000 lb total)
  • 6 x AGM-65D missiles
  • 6 x AGM-65D missiles + 4 x AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles
  • 4 x AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles

Usage in battles

The A-10A Late is specifically designed to attack ground targets. The AGM-65Ds and Mk 84s provide substantial firepower against armoured ground units. When within range, the 30 mm GAU-8 cannon can be used: the gun may lack penetration power against armour, but is excellent at destroying exterior modules and inflicting damage by overpressure.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Good manoeuvrability
  • Good armor protection around the cockpit area that will protect the pilot
  • 480 countermeasures are extremely effective against common heat-seeking missiles
  • Devastating cannon with a large ammo pool
  • Great payload options for ground attack
  • Access to four all-aspect AIM-9L Sidewinder air-to-air missiles

Cons:

  • Extremely poor top speed makes it an easy prey

History

Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under === In-game description ===, also if applicable).

Media

Videos

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the series of the aircraft;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links


Fairchild Aircraft
Jet aircraft  A-10A · A-10A Late · A-10C

USA jet aircraft
  Fighters
F9F  F9F-2 · F9F-5 · F9F-8
F-80  F-80A-5 · F-80C-10
F-84  F-84B-26 · F-84F · F-84G-21-RE
F-86  F-86A-5 · F-86F-25 · F-86F-2 · F-86F-35
F-89  F-89B · F-89D
F-100  F-100D
F-104  F-104A · F-104C
F-4  F-4C Phantom II · F-4E Phantom II · F-4J Phantom II · F-4S Phantom II
F-5  F-5A · F-5C · F-5E · F-20A
F-8  F8U-2 · F-8E
F-14  F-14A Early · ▄F-14A IRIAF · F-14B
F-15  F-15A · F-15C MSIP II · F-15E
F-16  F-16A · F-16A ADF · F-16C
Other  P-59A · F2H-2 · F3D-1 · F3H-2 · F4D-1 · F11F-1
  Strike Aircraft
FJ-4  FJ-4B · FJ-4B VMF-232
A-4  A-4B · A-4E Early
A-7  A-7D · A-7E · A-7K
AV-8  AV-8A · AV-8C · AV-8B Plus · AV-8B (NA)
A-10  A-10A · A-10A Late · A-10C
F-111  F-111A · F-111F
Other  A-6E TRAM · F-105D · F-117
  Bombers
B-57  B-57A · B-57B