America brings on morale-crushing Warthogs (cool graphic included)

The Telegraph (U.K.) ^ | 11/15/2001 | Thomas Harding

[Pokey78]

IF the Taliban's morale wilted under the long-range B52 bombings, it will face a further battering at the fearsome sight of the A10 Thunderbolts.

	Click to enlarge

Nicknamed the Warthog, for its resilience, power and ugliness, the A10 earned a murderous reputation over the skies of Iraq and Kuwait during the Gulf War.

A number of the aircraft had already been deployed in Tajikistan before the fall of Kabul and they are now likely to be moved to airfields further south to be used against Taliban strongholds.

Up to 70 American aircraft, including an undisclosed number of A10s, are to be deployed in the region, defence sources told the Washington Post.

The A10 can loiter over the battlefield for long periods, observing and attacking. It carries a formidable array of weapons. The Maverick anti-tank missiles are unlikely to find many armoured vehicles, but will be just as deadly against the Taliban's ubiquitous Toyota pick-up trucks.

The Thunderbolt's nose-mounted 30mm Gatling gun, with armour and high explosive rounds, will be deadly against any troops caught in the open. It can also operate at night and can carry laser-guided smart bombs.

With titanium armour-plated cockpits, robust engines and foam-filled fuel tanks, the A10, which entered service in 1975, can withstand direct hits from armour-piercing projectiles.

Another significant advantage is its ability to operate with minimal support equipment, allowing it to use airfields very close to the front line.

[mo'shea]

Like Harleys, 'Vettes 'n shiny new pickup trucks, this baby turns the heads of all boys, yound and old, like nobody's business!!

[Justice]

Amazing videos. I'm thankful I don't live in Afghanistan. Yikes!!

[GussiedUp]

We live near Pope and those lovely WartHogs are really quite impressive. My 3 year old son loves to look up in the sky and see the "hawgs" flying!

[MarkL]

The A-10 has a major fault, at least to my knowledge. It has no air-raid sirens or other VERY LOUD sound source attached. That kind of thing made the Stuka seem far worse than it ever was. I also think that attaching those sirens onto lasar guided bombs would have truly amazing effects. Only the target would get hit, but everybody on the ground for about a mile around would suddenly need a change of underwear. That kind of stuff can truly dampen any defense as well as add a special sort of greasy impetus to any rout.

Actually, the way that they were designed was to be quiet on approach, in order to attack with stealth. However, once they've flown over your position, it'll scare the willies out of you! There used to be a squadron based at Richard Guebar AFB in Grandview, MO (since moved to Whiteman AFB), and once while I was tooling down 71 Highway on my bike, I was buzzed by an A-10 at what couldn't have been more than about 50 feet! I never heard it coming, but the noise as it flew over me nearly had me jumping off my bike at about 70MPH!

Mark

[chainsaw]

Nice site except for that red X link at the bottom.

[Leisler]

Another one was the recoilless rifle. Light, cheap and a punch.

[jrewingjr]

A nice look for unleashing hell.

Lots more good ones at link in post #5.

[earlybirdnj]

almost every day during the summer months A-10's cruise up and down the beach here (cape may,nj). they usually are about 300-400 ft. off the ground (guess the jockeys want to get a good look at the babes!). what an awesome sight!!! i'm just glad that i'm on their side!!!

[sarasmom]

ROTFLOL! SAC/TASG/SOC/TAC/SAC I could never make up my mind air to mud or air to air.Yeah, we do mean it.Today was a good day to live.

[dighton]

Looks like FR hits have overwhelmed their site.

[Mark17]

Machine gun with wings. Scary stuff.

A 30 MM Gatlin machine gun, that is.

[IronJack]

"You tell 'em I'm coming! AND HELL'S COMING WITH ME!!"

That slogan alone could darn near make me enlist!!! Good stamp for a bomb: "Hell's postcard."

[jrewingjr]

Somebody say Gatlin?

[Paulie]

Our airpower is beyond comprehension - it's a wonder anyone has the cajones to mess with us at all.

[culpeper]

For a real good time when in New Jersey check out the Warren Grove Range in the Pine Barrens. You can watch F-16's and A-10's practicing ground attacks with live ammo. I camp right near the range and sometimes get an awesome airshow. Just before they deployed for the Gulf War they were going 24 hours per day but its slowed down some recently. Its a pretty amazing sight and sound riding down rt.539 and seeing 3 or 4 A-10's on a bombing run or getting awoken at the crack of dawn by an F-16 screaming by at treetop level. I love the sound of the A-10's gun..BBBBURP...

[M. Thatcher]

[Economist_MA]

30 MM Gatlin

Calm down guys, I couldn't tell the difference if it was spray-painted on it. :-))

[PoorMuttly]

"One man's meat is another man's poison"

They sure are beautiful to us!