Gotta Run y'all have a great day
Regards
alfa6 :>}
Posted on 01/20/2008 7:01:59 AM PST by Excuse_My_Bellicosity
1/18/2008 - Hill AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- An upgraded A-10 Thunderbolt II, which took off in early January for Moody Air Force Base, Ga., represents another production milestone for the Air Force.
Aircraft 80-0172 is the 100th A-10 to go through the Precision Engagement program, started in the 309th Aircraft Maintenance Group in July 2006. On average, the 571st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron technicians are upgrading each A-10 aircraft to the new A-10C configuration in less than 90 days.
"The 571st mechanics are successfully executing the A-10 Precision Engagement program," said Greg Hoffman, the 571st AMXS director. "While our overall modification time has been reduced, the increase in positive feedback from our warfighting customers has been our biggest success. Without giving them a quality aircraft to carry out their mission, we would have failed. The program was a challenge from the start, but with the support of Team Hill, to include our Lockheed Martin prime contractor, we have been able to get better each day.
The upgrade to the 100th aircraft, first built in 1980, will extend its service life for at least another 20 years. The aircraft was in the Pope AFB, N.C., inventory before the modification and transfers to Moody AFB as part of the base realignment and closure recommendations.
Precision Engagement evolved by merging several smaller, funded programs, into one large modification. The combination saved money for development, testing and installation previously done separately. The A-10C has a number of avionics and weapons system upgrades, designed to extend its service life until 2028.
The modification includes a totally redesigned main instrument panel, smart weapons capabilities, and aircraft DC power upgrades. The A-10C cockpit receives two 5-by-5-inch multifunction color displays, a hands-on stick and throttle system with a modified F-15E Strike Eagle right throttle grip, and a modified F-16 Fighting Falcon control stick grip. Other cockpit items include an upfront controller, new armament heads-up display control panel, and a redesigned main instrument panel.
Modified aircraft can now carry both the LITENING II and Sniper laser targeting pods, and have Joint Direct Attack Munitions and Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser capabilities. The direct current power will be doubled and a more powerful computer will be added to the Low Altitude Safety and Targeting Enhancement system.
The A-10C has proven itself a formidable asset in the war on terror, Mr. Hoffman said, as the Air National Guard's 175th Fighter Wing from Baltimore, Md., deployed the modified aircraft to Iraq in September. Within hours of arrival, the new systems were put to the test by successfully destroying an insurgent safe house with a global positioning system-guided munitions system.
"You just can't get more proof that what you have done matters than to see the true end result of your efforts," Mr. Hoffman said.
You must have had a spare pair of trousers in your luggage.
Gotta Run y'all have a great day
Regards
alfa6 :>}
It's a nice bonus that it looks like a flying cross...
All this is my display.
I hope this pic. shows up. If not, the coolist pics. of A10s Google Warthog Territory. My display is the one with the Tiger in the background. A10s are my favorite. My nephew flys “Ugly”
http://www.a-10.org/photos/Photos92145/grinnell.jpg
And they wanted to scrap this War Bird? It’s proven to be an exclellent aircraft.
Looks good to me
Regards
alfa6 ;>}
link dont work
And tired
*snort* Gotta love that sticker!!
I got to see one up close, talk to the pilot several years ago at an air show in San Angelo, Texas. Pilot told me they actually throttle up a bit when firing to overcome the recoil from that nose cannon. I’d hate to be on the wrong end of this gun.
Not necessary to add power during strafe. The barrels heat up and start slinging bullets wider (dispersion) when shooting for more than one second. Most strafe runs are pretty short on firing time.
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- An A-10C Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft pulls up sharply out of a low-level strafing run during a combat search and rescue demonstration here Oct. 4. The digitally-upgraded A-10C is equipped with satellite-guided precision weaponry and advanced communications data links for transferring information with ground-based warfighters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Parker Gyokeres)
AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- Staff Sgt. Nick Draxler and Tech. Sgt. Frank Williams, 438th Air Expeditionary Group weapons loaders, verify a weapons checklist on a Joint Direct Attack Munition before loading it onto an A-10C Thunderbolt II here. Sergeants Draxler and Williams are deployed from the 175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard, Baltimore. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. D. Clare)
Senior Airman Daniel Young marshals in an A-10 Thunderbolt II for munitions disarming after an Oct. 28 mission at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. The A-10C's are assigned to the 104th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, which is made up primarily of members from the 175th Maryland Air National Guard. Airman Young is a Maryland Air National Guard crew chief. The 104th EFS is the first unit to use the C-model A-10 in a combat zone. Its upgrades have made air power more efficient and have streamlined the close-air-support mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt Angelique Perez)
They should like that. They're The Religion of Pieces.
LOL. Funny. Pithy. TRUE!
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