Containing built-in survivability features, the USAF Fairchild A-10 Close Air Support aircraft is harneded like no other fighter or attack plane. The pilot is surrounded by a "bathtub" of titanium which has been successfully tested to defeat 23mm armor-piercing projectiles. In addition, the aircraft features armor plating of vital elements, redundant flight controls, redundant shielded subsystems and a "manual" reversion system which permits the pilot to fly and land the aircraft if all hydraulic power is lost.
Type
Number built/
converted
Remarks
YA-10A
2
A-X CAS prototype
A-10A
713
Production A-10
TECHNICAL NOTES: Armament: One GAU-8/A 30mm Gatling Gun and 16,000 lbs. of mixed ordnance Engines: Two General Electric TF34-GE-100 turbofans of 9,000 lbs. thrust each Maximum speed: 450 mph Cruising speed: 335 mph Range: 800 miles Service ceiling: 44,200 ft. Span: 57 ft. 6 in. Length: 53 ft. 4 in. Height: 14 ft. 8 in. Weight: 47,000 lbs. Crew: One Serial numbers: 73-1664 to 73-1669 (73-1670 to 73-1673 canceled); 75-258 to 75-309; 76-512 to 76-554; 77-177 to 77-276; 78-582 to 78-725; 79-082 to 78-225 (79-226 to 79-243 canceled); 80-140 to 80-283; 81-939 to 81-998; 82-646 to 82-665 (82-692 to 82-705 canceled); 73-1664 to 73-1669 were development, test and evaluation aircraft; 73-1664 later converted to the A-10B Night/All Weather two-place A-10 Other notes: The first flight of a production A-10 (S/N 73-1664) was Feb. 15, 1975.
