War in Ukraine
Fairchild-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II – this is how the mighty “Warthog” can fight for Ukraine
The black Gatling machine cannons GAU-8/A Avenger are clearly visible.
© Wikipedia / Commons
Ukraine urgently needs new fighter aircraft. The commander of the Ukrainian ground forces wants the A-10 from the USA. Although its days are coming to an end, the ancient ground attack aircraft could play an important role.
Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of the Ukrainian ground forces, confessed that the Ukraine urgently needs combat aircraft from the West. He wasn’t talking about the F16, a multirole fighter, but rather mentioned the A-10, a ground attack aircraft, to “Reuters”. The full name Fairchild-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II “Warthog” (Warthog).
He told the agency: “I would see the A-10 as an option if it were made available to us […] this is not a new machine, but a reliable one that has proven itself in many wars and for which there is a wide range of weapons. She destroys land targets to aid the infantry. It is used to destroy land-based targets: tanks, artillery […] anything that counteracts the infantry.”
Fame for ugliness
The A-10 is nicknamed “Warthog” because of its shapeless ugliness. It was designed for attacking ground targets at short range. It was built in 1975 and is now one of the most legendary aircraft still in use in the world. It was originally designed to stop the Warsaw Pact armies. While flying low, she was supposed to attack the tops of the tanks and use her on-board cannon to fight anything that stood in her way.
fighter plane
Fairchild-Republic A-10 – almost indestructible and with tremendous firepower
The A-10 was built around this main weapon. Its 30 mm GAU-8/A Avenger cannon and its distinctive sound are adored by US soldiers. This is due to the role of the fighter aircraft. There was never a fight against Soviet tank columns. However, the A-10 was used successfully in Iraq and Afghanistan. When U.S. troops were in danger, the “Warthog” was sent to cut them out. Discarded pipes are used to make devotional items such as combat knives for soldiers. In addition to the jet’s firepower, its ability to absorb enemy hits is impressive.
Famous predecessors
The A-10 is the successor to aircraft of the Second World War such as the German Ju-87 “Stuka” dive bomber or the Soviet Ilyushin Il-2 “Shturmovik” (Ilyushin IL-2 “Shturmovik” – the Soviet flying tank). From the Shturmovik, the Americans adopted the idea of placing the pilot in a kind of steel bathtub to protect him from ground fire. During the conception phase of the A-10, it is said that the Stuka pilot and most successful fighter pilot of the Second World War, Hans-Ulrich Rudel, was consulted (Ju 87 Stuka – this machine bombed Hitler’s lightning victories). Even if he remained a notorious Nazi until his death. Compared to its Russian counterpart, the Sukhoi Su-25, the A-10 has a special feature: its two engines are mounted above the wings and far apart from each other. The A-10 can even survive hits and fires in one engine, while the Su-25 usually catches fire (SU-25 Frogfoot – Putin’s ground attack aircraft is outdated but almost indestructible). The A-10 is a low-wing aircraft with wide wings. It was built to remain highly maneuverable near the ground and at low speeds in order to engage the enemy with the rotating cannon.
Undemanding workhorse
Unlike the F-16, the Warthog is no diva. As a front-line aircraft, it can take off from short runways and can also be maintained at makeshift airfields. Another special feature: the ground attack aircraft was built in such a way that it remains in the air even in the event of severe damage. In total, over 700 A-10s were built. There are still 280 in operation today. The fact that this fleet is to be completely phased out by 2028 speaks in favor of delivery to Ukraine. Even selling 50 pieces would hardly make any difference.
Outdated concept
But there are also reasons that prevent delivery. First the technical ones. The A-10’s old role is to engage ground targets at short range with its on-board cannon. That is impossible in Ukraine. The ground attack aircraft can only take on this role if its own side has air supremacy over the battlefield and the big, slow drone is not attacked by enemy fighter aircraft. There can be no question of this in Ukraine. Added to this are the advances in air defense since the 1970s. The A-10 would be attacked over the battlefield by every Russian defense missile imaginable and the infantry would use man-portable missiles – Manpads – against the Warthog. The main weapon has a powerful effect, but only at short distances. However, the A-10 could perform a different role. It could launch ranged weapons like Taurus or Storm Shadow. Missiles launched far from the front.
Another obstacle: The A-10 is an old system that is already being phased out. Spare parts and repair capacities are also likely to be adapted to the imminent departure. It is also unlikely that any significant training of new pilots and technicians will be planned for the final years of the system’s life.
There are also political problems. A plane plus the necessary logistics is always a very expensive system. There is currently no indication that the USA will bring itself to do this in the election year. Especially since the A-10 was always a very emotional and explosive topic in the USA even before the Ukraine war. Not to forget that the F-16s that are supposed to come to Ukraine are not being provided directly by the USA, they come from Denmark, Belgium and Norway. The detour via smaller allies is not possible with the A-10; it is only flown by the United States Air Force.