FORT WAYNE, Ind., - The 122nd Fighter Wing is currently converting from the F-16 Fighting Falcon to the A-10 Thunderbolt, also known as the Warthog.
The A-10 is a larger aircraft at 53 feet 4 inches long with a 57-foot- 6-inch wingspan, according to a U.S. Air Force fact sheet. It was created for air to ground operations, whereas even though the F-16 performs this mission well, it was originally created for air to air operations.
Compared to the F-16, which is capable of reaching speeds up to 1,500 mph, the Warthog flies low and slow reaching speeds up to 420 mph, the fact sheet states. This gives the pilot ample time to lock on and engage the target.
The A-10 is capable of carrying a 16,000 pound payload which could be made up of a large variety of bombs, missiles, rockets, flares and of course the 30 mm, seven-barrel Gatling gun, according to the fact sheet. The gun on this aircraft will fire up to 3,900 rounds of ammunition per minute, defeating a wide variety of targets including tanks.
The pilots in this aircraft are protected by titanium armor that also protects parts of the flight-control system, the fact sheet states. Because the Warthog is designed to fly low and slow, it is also designed to survive close air support missions, meaning it can take direct hits from armor-piercing and high explosive projectiles and still make it home.
Converting from the F-16 to the A-10 is about a three-year process. The 122nd Fighter Wing expects to have received most A-10s and sent off all F-16s by this fall, so the Warthogs should be flying before the end of the year, Guard officials said.
The remaining conversion time will be spent training and performing acceptance inspections on all A-10s on the ramp.