Fighter Sweep
  • Home
  • Military Aviation
  • Air Force
  • Navy
  • Spec Ops
  • Expert Analysis
  • Careers
  • Photos
Home Previous Post Next Post
Follow @fightersweep

Watch the legendary A-10 absolutely obliterates a Humvee

December 31, 2018
Alex Hollings No Comments Military Aviation, Video

The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II, or “Warthog” as it’s commonly known, was the first aircraft the U.S. Air Force ever purpose built specifically for close air support operations. In the years since its introduction in 1976, it has become a trademark of American combat operations, providing quick-action support for U.S. and allied ground troops in nearly every conflict the U.S. has been involved in since, liquefying enemy armored vehicles, combatants, and even tanks with its massive rotary canon, defined audibly by its tell-tale sound… BRRRRRRRRRRT

The A-10 was unusual from its very inception, as its design could, in some ways, be considered a bit backwards.  Whereas most combat aircraft are designed and built around a functional air frame first, the A-10 began its design phase differently: The A-10 was built specifically to house the massive 30 mm GAU-8 Avenger rotary cannon.  In order to get this massive gun into the air, the A-10 had to be built around it.  Because the A-10 was intended to get right into the middle of the fight, it was also adorned with some serious armor – with over 1,200 pounds of titanium tasked with protecting the cockpit and flight systems alone.  The A-10 can take off and land on short runways, absorb a seemingly otherworldly amount of punishment, and lay waste to enemy armored assets to the tune of 65 massive 30mm rounds on target per second.

In fact, as massive as the A-10’s GAU-8 gun is, it’s dwarfed by the size of the ammunition drum it’s got to carry to keep up with its massive fire rate.  The GAU-8 30 mm cannon weighs in at a formidable 620 pounds (imagine holding a 620 pound machine gun…) but once coupled with the feed system and a full drum, the weapon alone weighs 4,029 pounds.

But you didn’t come here to memorize numbers. You came here to see the A-10 in action.

About the Author

Alex Hollings Alex Hollings writes on a breadth of subjects ranging from fitness to foreign policy, all presented through the lens of his experiences as a U.S. Marine, athlete and scholar. A football player, rugby player and fighter, Hollings has spent the better part of his adult life competing in some of the most physically demanding sports on the planet. Hollings possesses a master's degree in communications from Southern New Hampshire University, as well as a bachelor's degree in Corporate and Organizational Communications from Framingham State University.

Related Posts

  • Watch the cockpit shake as the A-10 unleashes its 30mm cannon on a strafing runWatch the cockpit shake as the A-10 unleashes its 30mm cannon on a strafing run
  • Former Air Force pilot instructor explains why there’s just no replacing the A-10 ‘Warthog’Former Air Force pilot instructor explains why there’s just no replacing the A-10 ‘Warthog’
  • Maj. Rachael Winiecki becomes the first female F-35 test pilotMaj. Rachael Winiecki becomes the first female F-35 test pilot
  • Watch: See what it’s like to be on the receiving end of an A-10 Warthog strafing runWatch: See what it’s like to be on the receiving end of an A-10 Warthog strafing run
  • Watch: A-10 Warthogs come in for a landing on highways in EuropeWatch: A-10 Warthogs come in for a landing on highways in Europe

Find Us on Facebook

FighterSweep.com

Sign Up
for the Newsletter

What’s Hot

  • blue-angels-reporter-blacks-out-passes-out
    December 5, 2017

    Watch: News Reporter Blacks Out on Ride with US Navy Blue Angels

  • July 1, 2022

    Is It Possible to Use Musk's SpaceX Rockets, Starlink Tech for the Military?

  • June 25, 2022

    Here Are Three Unusual Facts About the Battle of Midway You Should Know

Follow Us

Facebook Twitter Twitter

Recent Comments

  • Lars Dirch Sørensen This didn't age well.
  • Speir Mor Media Amazing history and pride in the old B-52! And that’s one hell of a range. [...]
  • disqus_lkVjMrnsGt As an 8th grader in 1960 I first became acquainted with the 1952 Washington [...]
  • SWS Irrational fears and misinformation is not a reason to get a waiver from a [...]

© Copyright 2022 SOFREP Media Group. All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers