A-10 ThunderBolt II also known as WARTHOG Anti-Tank

 Mission: Close Air Support, Anti-Tank

CONTRACTOR: Fairchild Republic Co.

SERVICE: USAF

ARMAMENT: 30 mm GAU-8/A cannon; up to 16,000 pounds of mixed ordnance on eight under-wing and three under-fuselage pylon stations, including 500 pound Mk-82 and 2,000 pounds Mk-84 series low/high drag bombs, incendiary cluster bombs, combined effects munitions, mine dispensing munitions, AGM-65 Maverick; AIM-9 Sidewinder.

POWER PLANT: Two General Electric TF34-GE-100 turbofans

SPEED: 450 kts (Mach 0.75)

RANGE: 2580 miles

           The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is affectionately called the “Warthog” and American twin-engine, straight-wing jet aircraft developed by Fairchild-Republic in the early 1970s. It is the only United States Air Force production aircraft designed solely for close air support, including attacking tanks, armored vehicles, and other ground targets with limited air defenses.

The “Warthog” for its aggressive look and often painted with teeth on the nose cone, the A-10 Thunderbolt II is the U.S. Air Force’s primary low-altitude close air support aircraft. The A-10 is perhaps best known for its fearsome GAU-8 Avenger 30mm Gatling gun mounted on the nose. The GAU-8 is designed to fire armor-piercing depleted uranium and high explosive incendiary rounds.

The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is affectionately called the “Warthog” and American twin-engine, straight-wing jet aircraft developed by Fairchild-Republic in the early 1970s. It is the only United States Air Force production aircraft designed solely for close air support, including attacking tanks, armored vehicles, and other ground targets with limited air defenses.

The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is designed around the 30 mm GAU-8 Avenger rotary cannon that is its primary armament and the heaviest-ever automatic cannon mounted on an aircraft. The A-10's air-frame was designed for durability, with measures such as 1,200 pounds (540 kg) of titanium armor to protect the cockpit and aircraft systems, enabling it to absorb a significant amount of damage and continue flying. The A-10A single-seat variant was the only version built, though one A-10A was converted to an A-10B twin-seat version. In 2005, a program was begun to upgrade remaining A-10A aircraft to the A-10C configuration.

                The A-10 Thunderbolt II has excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude, and is a highly accurate and survivable weapons-delivery platform. The aircraft can loiter near battle areas for extended periods of time and operate in low ceiling and visibility conditions. The wide combat radius and short takeoff and landing capability permit operations in and out of locations near front lines. Using night vision goggles, A-10 pilots can conduct their missions during darkness. Thunderbolt IIs have Night Vision Imaging Systems, or NVIS, goggle compatible single-seat cockpits forward of their wings and a large bubble canopy which provides pilots all-around vision. The pilots are protected by titanium armor that also protects parts of the flight-control system. The redundant primary structural sections allow the aircraft to enjoy better survivability during close air support than did previous aircraft. The aircraft can survive direct hits from armor-piercing and high explosive projectiles up to 23mm. Their self-sealing fuel cells are protected by internal and external foam. Manual systems back up their redundant hydraulic flight-control systems. This permits pilots to fly and land when hydraulic power is lost.

The Thunderbolt II can be serviced and operated from austere bases with limited facilities near battle areas. Many of the aircraft's parts are interchangeable left and right, including the engines, main landing gear and vertical stabilizers. Avionics equipment includes multi-band communications; Global Positioning System and inertial navigation systems; infrared and electronic countermeasures against air-to-air and air-to-surface threats. And, it has a heads-up display to display flight and weapons delivery information.

The Thunderbolt II can employ a wide variety of conventional munitions, including general purpose bombs, cluster bomb units, laser guided bombs, joint direct attack munitions or JDAM, wind corrected munitions dispenser or WCMD, AGM-65 Maverick and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, rockets, illumination flares, and the GAU-8/A 30mm cannon, capable of firing 3,900 rounds per minute to defeat a wide variety of targets including tanks.

The first production A-10A was delivered to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., in October 1975. The upgraded A-10C reached initial operational capability in September 2007. Specifically designed for close air support, its combination of large and varied ordnance load, long loiter time, accurate weapons delivery, austere field capability, and survivability has proven invaluable to the United States and its allies. The aircraft has participated in operations Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Provide Comfort, Desert Fox, Noble Anvil, Deny Flight, Deliberate Guard, Allied Force, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Supersonic F-14 Tomcat

The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, variable sweep wing, two-place strike fighter. The Tomcat's primary missions are air superiority, fleet air defense and precision strike against ground targets. The F-14 has visual and all-weather attack capability to deliver Phoenix and Sparrow missiles as well as the M-61 gun and Sidewinder missiles for close in air-to-air combat. The F-14 also has the LANTIRN targeting system that allows delivery of various laser-guided bombs for precision strikes in air-to-ground combat missions. The F-14, equipped with Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS) is the Navy's only manned tactical reconnaissance platform.

Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star

The Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star is an American-built jet trainer aircraft. It was produced by Lockheed and made its first flight in 1948, piloted by Tony Levier. The T-33 was developed from the Lockheed P-80/F-80 starting as TP-80C/TF-80C in development, then designated T-33A. It was used by the U.S. Navy initially as TO-2 then TV-2, and after 1962, T-33B. Despite its vintage, the venerable T-33 still remains in service worldwide.

The GAF Nomad

                            The GAF Nomad is a twin-engine turboprop, high-winged, "short take off and landing" (STOL) aircraft. It was designed and built by the Australian Government Aircraft Factories (GAF) at Fishermen’s Bend, Melbourne. Major users of the design have included the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia, the Australian Army and the Australian Customs Service.

Beechcraft T-34 Mentor

The Beechcraft T-34 Mentor is a propeller-driven, single-engined, military trainer aircraft derived from the Beechcraft Model 35 Bonanza. The earlier versions of the T-34, dating from around the late 1940s to the 1950s, were piston-engined. These were eventually succeeded by the upgraded T-34C Turbo-Mentor, powered by a turboprop  engine. The T-34 remains in service almost six decades after it was first designed.

The T-34 was the brainchild of Walter Beech, who developed it as the Beechcraft Model 45 private venture at a time when there was no defense budget for a new trainer model. Beech hoped to sell it as an economical alternative to the North American T-6/NJ Texan, then in use by all services of the U.S. military.

A YT-34 on display at the Castle Air Museum in Atwater, California. Piston-engined T-34s of the March Field Aero Club at the March Air Reserve Base (ARB) in California in 2004

Three initial design concepts were developed for the Model 45, including one with the Bonanza's signature V-tail, but the final design that emerged in 1948 incorporated conventional tail control surfaces for the benefit of the more conservative military (featuring a relatively large unswept vertical fin that would find its way onto the Travel Air twin-engine civil aircraft almost ten years later). The Bonanza's fuselage with four-passenger cabin was replaced with a narrower fuselage incorporating a two-seater tandem cockpit and bubble canopy,which provided greater visibility for the trainee pilot and flight instructor. Structurally, the Model 45 was much stronger than the Bonanza, being designed for +10g and -4.5g, while the Continental E-185 engine of 185 horsepower (hp) at takeoff (less than a third of the power of the T-6's engine) was the same as that fitted to contemporary Bonanzas.

Aermacchi SF-260

The Aermacchi SF-260 is a light aircraft  marketed as an aerobatics plane and a military trainer. It was designed by Stelio Frati, originally for Aviamilano, which flew the first prototype of it (then designated F-260) on July 15, 1964. Actual production was undertaken when SIAI Marchetti purchased the design soon thereafter and continued with this firm until the company was bought by Aermacchi in 1997. The military versions are popular with smaller air forces, which can also arm it for use in the close-support role.

The design is a conventional one, featuring a low wing and tricycle undercarriage, and is often praised for its sleek lines and sporty appearance. The pilot and up to two passengers (or pilot and one student in trainer versions) are accommodated under a broad, extensively glazed canopy.

The SF-260 holds the airspeed records for aircraft in its class over the 100 km (62 mile) and 1,000 km (621 mile) closed circuits.

The aircraft was marketed in the United States in the late 1960s as the Waco Meteor, although it was in no way connected with the Waco aircraft company. Thirty SF.260EA - the most recent version - were delivered to the Italian Air Force in 2005 for a total price of €33 million ($40 million).

On 2010 was announced Alenia request conditions to assembly the aircraft at the Argentine factory Fábrica de Aviones Córdoba.

Aermacchi S-211

The Aermacchi S-211 is a jet-powered military trainer aircraft designed and originally marketed by SIAI Marchetti as the S.211. Some 60 aircraft have been sold to air forces around the world. Aermacchi bought the production rights in 1997. The redesigned M-311 is currently under development by Alenia Aermacchi.

The S-211A was a slightly modified and updated variant of the S-211, was a losing contender in the USA's Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPTATS) aircraft selection. Among the seven to enter, the Raytheon/Pilatus entry won, which became the T-6 Texan II. The S-211 team was partnered with Grumman, and then Northrop Grumman after 1994.Like many military trainers, the S-211 can be armed for weapons training or light ground attack duties. (SIAI) Marchetti began work on the aircraft in 1976 as a private venture basic trainer, hoping to offer it to the company's existing customer base of small air forces operating their piston-engined SF.260. Formally announced in Paris the following year, interest was strong enough to justify the construction of two prototypes, the first of which flew on 10 April 1981. The Singapore Air Force placed the first order for ten aircraft in 1983.

The S-211 is a small tandem two-seat shoulder-wing monoplane with a retractable tricycle landing gear and powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-4C turbofan. The aircraft was designed with a secondary close air support capability with four underwing hardpoints.

C-23A Sherpa light

                Military Squadron C-23A Sherpa light fixed wing aircraft provide ground commanders with a utility air capability for observation, rapid personnel transport, and high priority delivery services. These capacities are organic to U.S. Army or Marine Corps units and do not require inter-service coordination with the USAF. Small planes continue to be useful to the modern military almost 100 years from the time they were introduced.

Aero L-159 Alca Combat Aircraft

                         The Aero L-159 Alca is a Czech-built multi-role combat aircraft. It is in examine with the Czech Air Force and Bolivian Air Force but some countries have a presented interest.

The L-159 ALCA is an armed version of trainer aircraft L-59. He is basically equal to the basic version, with the addition of arms which gives you some military ability. The models L-59 and its militarized version L-159 are in turn derived from the older L-39 Albatros. It exists in two versions: L-159A and L-159B (two seats). Among the principal characteristics of the family 59/159 is the new engine The L-159A is fitted with Italian Grifo-M radar (Grifo-L version).

JiaoLian-9 Military Aircraft Descriptios

The JiaoLian-9, also recognized as FTC-2000 Mountain Eagle (Shanying) in its export name, is a tandem two-seat, single-engine advanced jet trainer developed by the Guizhou Aviation Industry Group Co. (GAIGC). First flying on 13 December 2003, the JL-9/FTC-2000 is competing with the Hongdu Aircraft Industry Group (HAIG) L-15 for the contract of PLAAF’s next generation trainer programmed. With more high-performance third-generation fighters such as J-10 and Su-27/30 entering the service, the PLAAF’s existing JJ-6 (MiG-19 Farmer) and JJ-7 (MiG-21U Mongol) trainer fleets struggled to meet the training requirements that will enable the pilots to fly these fighters in their best performance. The PLAAF is in desperate needs for a new trainer that could match its new-generation fighters in smooth performance and avionics.

GAIGC first revealed its FTC-2000 advanced trainer concept in 2001. In order to save development time and costs, CAIGC designed the new aircraft based on its JJ-7 fighter-trainer, which has been serving with the PLAAF since the early 1980s. The new trainer retained the wing planform and powerplant of the JJ-7, but was given a redesigned forward fuselage with lateral air intakes and the in-flight refuelling probe. This has resulted in a modernised version of the JJ-7, with a relatively low unit price and modestly improved performance.

The first JL-9 prototype was rolled out in 2003 and made its first victorious flight on 13 December 2003, only two years after the programme started. The aircraft was given a military designation as JL-9 (JiangLian-9). In June 2005, Chinese newspapers reported that the JL-9 programme has been listed in the PLAAF’s 11th five-year procurement plan. The flight tests of the JL-9 are expected to complete by the end of 2005. GAIC has reportedly built 10 initial production variant planes, five of which were to be delivered to the PLAAF before 2006.

Aero L-59 Super Albatross Aircraft

                       The Aero L-59 Super Albatross is a two seat trainer aircraft developed by the Aero Industries in 1986. It was replaced in the Czech Republic by the L-159 Alca.

The Aero L-59 Super Albatross is a Czech military trainer aircraft developed from the firm's earlier L-39 Albatross. Compared to its predecessor, it featured a strengthened fuselage, longer nose, a vastly updated cockpit, and a more powerful engine. At the time of its first flight on 30 September 1986, it was designated the L-39MS.

In 1992, a dedicated single-seat attack variant was proposed under the project name ALCA (Advanced Light Combat Aircraft), and was successfully marketed to the Czech Air Force. First flight of this variant, designated L-159A was on 2 August 1997. The aircraft features mostly Western avionics, with systems integration undertaken by Boeing. The Czech Republic is currently the only operator of the type. Since then a new two-seat trainer has been flown as the L-159B Albatross II.

Sukhoi T-50 fighter Plane Description

Sukhoi T-50 fighter Plane Description

The Sukhoi T-50 is a Russian 5th generation fighter developed by Sukhoi Aviation in the PAK FA project, intended to compete with the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Lightning II in the intercontinental market, the T-50 isn't fully developed, but he is planned to replace the MIG-29 Fulcrum and the Su-27 Flanker.

After the release by the U.S. aircraft with the capacity to evade enemy radar, appearing with a minimal radar signature, the Soviet Union began his studies on what would be called fifth-generation fighter.

The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 meant that most projects that were in development ended abruptly. Part of the industrial structure and technique that was saved was in Russia, and was used to initiate an attempt to keep at least part of which had been adrift. One of the projects given priority was to develop a new aircraft for the Russian air force, trying to follow the path suggested by the Americans, developing large-capacity aircraft with stealth before the enemy radar. The first flight of the aircraft known as Sukhoi T-50, and that is the result of a program called PAK-FA ' Perspektivnyi Aviatsionnyi Kompleks Frontovoi Aviatsy 'or' Study of aerial system for frontal aviation took place on January 29, 2010. Several hypotheses have been initially presented as' concepts 'to the Russian authorities. The variety of artistic visions that went to press was a mirror of the wide variety of options that presented themselves.

Saab JAS-39 Gripen fighter aircraft

                Saab JAS-39 Gripen fighter aircraft:

                    Saab JAS-39 Gripen fighter aircraft: Gripen is the lightest of the new-generation fighters that are going into operation early this century, having been designed from the outset as a fully multifunctional since the first scratch on paper. The current fighters like the F-16 or F-18 also are multifunctional, but to fulfill a mission to attack the full potential of the aircraft, they have to put some specific modules of the avionics so that a plane ready to attack ground targets have a certain capacity for air combat, and vice versa. Gripen does not happen because all you need is there; flying with you, simply hit certain buttons to change the mission. This capability is unprecedented and certainly a great tactical advantage and trade, facilitating a better cost benefit of that aircraft on the international market. The Gripen is fitted with a Volvo motor RM-12 which actually is a version of the engine General Electric F-404 used in the F/A-18 Hornet fighters from the United States. This engine provides a thrust of 8050 kgf, being slightly more potent than the North American version of original orbital. This engine is extremely reliable and allows hard acceleration without the appearance of problems. Another great advantage of the Gripen in the international market is the ability to arm you with a huge variety of weapons from various sources. So you can team it with Mica missiles if the U.S. governments veto the sale of AMRAAM for your country, or even, we can adapt it to Russian missile R-77. This capability is unique and makes it very attractive market hunts. The maneuverability of this fighter is very good too, being better than the F-16, one of its direct competitors in the market for fighters. Indeed, the delta canard type aerodynamic configuration found in Europe's new generation fighter is very efficient in the field of maneuverability and agility, leaving behind many modern fighters. Even the arms of Gripen, one can mention the powerful anti-ship missile Bofors RBS-15F, which is transported in pairs. With a range of 200 km and a warhead of 200 kg pre-fragmented, can by sheer most warships known to one impact. To fight air to air short range missile IRIS-T, which is nearing final approval, should be the main type of missile to be used by Gripen. Currently the short-range missile used is already classical, Raytheon AIM-9L Sidewinder. Internally Gripen uses a Mauser BK-27 cannon caliber 27 mm and a rate of 1700 shots / min allows efficiency against air targets and light armored. From the standpoint of avionics, the Gripen has a multi-mode radar pulse-Doppler Ericsson PS-05 / A, with a capacity look-down/shoot-down (look down and shoot down) feature that facilitates destroy targets are the Gripen flying down or even close to the ground, a situation which usually represents a fact complicating the fight. The radar can work in four different air-air modes: a) Track-while-search, track and engage multiple air targets, b) Priority-target-tracking, more accurate for targets engaged, while also tracks other targets; c) Single-target-tracking, air-air mode for use of cannon, for example d) Air-combat-mode for automatic detection of air targets in combat. Mode air-ground targets as small as a car can be traced for distances of 90 Km The ability of PS-05 more than three times the capacity of processing the radar of its predecessor, the PS-46, installed on the JAS- 37 Viggen and with only 60% of this volume. Even this is good radar equipment, and adequate performance is under study for its replacement by a new AESA radar with electronic scanning, which will increase even more, the combat capabilities of the Gripen.

The X-29A The Experimental Aircraft

X-29A The Experimental Aircraft The X-29A The Experimental Aircraft is a USAF/NASA technology demonstrator built to investigate the aerodynamic advantages of the forward-swept wing concept. Built upon the body of a modified F-5E Tiger II  with a single F404-GE-400 engine, forward-mounted canard wings, and redesigned air intakes, the X-29 logged a total of 422 flights between models 1 and 2 and managed to achieve a maximum angle of attack of 67 degrees. It has the ability to reach a maximum speed of Mach 1.6. Without advanced composites, lightweight airframe made of aluminum and titanium, and fly-by-wire controls, none of the plane’s accomplishments would have been possible as the aircraft is inherently unstable and the FSW adheres to stresses far greater than that of a conventional swept back wing planform. The program was conducted between 1984 and 1992, and has been attributed by western sources as console to the design of the Russian-made Su-47 Berkut.
The X-29 was not the first FSW, the first was made in 1944 by Junkers, called the Junkers Ju-287.

Su-25 Frogfoot- Military Aircraft

           Su-25 Frogfoot  introduced in 1980, it was the first dedicated ground attack aircraft produced by the Soviet Union since the World War Two era propeller driven Il-2 Shturmovik. drawing heavily on lessons learned by the American Air Force during the vietnam war, and mirroring the performance of the American A-10 Warthog, the Frogfoot is a rugged aircraft capable of accuratly delivering a heavy payload from low altitude and surviving in the low level, high threat forward area environment. Though the Sukhoi Design Bureau originally sought to rely on speed to survive, it was determined that increased speed reduced the low level battlefield effectiveness of the aircraft. In short, if the aircraft was to perform its job effectivly, it would have to be able of operating at low speeds; speed would be sacrificed for low speed maneuverability and heavy armor.

After several design changes, the first prototypes were accepted in 1980. The 1st production Frogfoots were equipped with twin multi-fuel non afterburning turbojet engines, a twin barreled internally mounted 30mm cannon, titanium armor around the pilot and control surfaces, and foam filled, non-explosive self sealing fuel cells. The Su-25 was equipped with eleven underwing and under body hard points, was capable of delivering 4000 kilograms (8,818 pounds) of ordnance and could be operated off of unimproved dirt strips.

The following combat experience in Afganistan, an enhanced version, the Frogfoot-B, was fielded in 1984. The B model was a production modified version of the two seat Frogfoot-A trainer. The second seat was removed, as was the internal gun, and additional fuel, armor, and avionics were installed, in addition to an improved 30mm cannon, mounted in an external pod. In addition, the Frogfoot's lack of all weather, night time capability was addressed by incorperating a Forward Looking Infra Red (FLIR) low light navigation system as well as a TV camera and laser designator, spot tracker and rangefinding package. Although the Frogfoot has been out of production for a number of years, it still remains in front line service with Russia's Frontal Aviation as well as many export nations, including Iraq.