Changes

The Fairchild-Republic '''A-10 Thunderbolt II''' (so named in honor of the WWII era Republic P-47 Thunderbolt) resulted from a [[United States Air Force]] requirement for a rugged attack plane to provide close-in support of ground troops using advanced guided munitions. Carrying one of the most powerful guns ever placed on an aircraft, the 30-mm cannon fires "milk-bottle-size rounds" at rates of 2,100 or 4,200 shots per minute. The A-10, also known as the Warthog, is extremely rugged and designed to fly with one engine, an entire tail fin, or even part of a wing shot completely off the plane. The A-10 also provides further protection against ground fire by encasing the cockpit and the ammunition drum for the cannon within a [[titanium]] "tub." Though able to operate guided missiles and bombs using a laser-designator pod under the nose, the avionics installed aboard the A-10 have remained simple for greater dependability.  

The Fairchild-Republic '''A-10 Thunderbolt II''' (so named in honor of the WWII era Republic P-47 Thunderbolt) resulted from a [[United States Air Force]] requirement for a rugged attack plane to provide close-in support of ground troops using advanced guided munitions. Carrying one of the most powerful guns ever placed on an aircraft, the 30-mm cannon fires "milk-bottle-size rounds" at rates of 2,100 or 4,200 shots per minute. The A-10, also known as the Warthog, is extremely rugged and designed to fly with one engine, an entire tail fin, or even part of a wing shot completely off the plane. The A-10 also provides further protection against ground fire by encasing the cockpit and the ammunition drum for the cannon within a [[titanium]] "tub." Though able to operate guided missiles and bombs using a laser-designator pod under the nose, the avionics installed aboard the A-10 have remained simple for greater dependability.  

[[Image:a10.gif|left|thumb|200x200px]]

[[Image:a10.gif|left|thumb|250px]]

Planners in the US Air Force had long felt that the A-10 was no longer useful in combat and would be unable to survive against modern air defenses. Plans had called for the A-10 fleet to be gradually retired and replaced by the F-16 during the 1990s. However, the A-10 soon proved its worth during [[Operation Desert Storm]] in 1991 when the Warthog was credited with destroying over 1,000 [[Iraqi]] tanks, 1,200 artillery pieces, and 2,000 other vehicles. Two A-10 pilots also shot down Iraqi helicopters over [[Kuwait]] during the conflict.  

Planners in the US Air Force had long felt that the A-10 was no longer useful in combat and would be unable to survive against modern air defenses. Plans had called for the A-10 fleet to be gradually retired and replaced by the F-16 during the 1990s. However, the A-10 soon proved its worth during [[Operation Desert Storm]] in 1991 when the Warthog was credited with destroying over 1,000 [[Iraqi]] tanks, 1,200 artillery pieces, and 2,000 other vehicles. Two A-10 pilots also shot down Iraqi helicopters over [[Kuwait]] during the conflict.