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Awesome Vid: Watch the U.S. Military’s A-10C Warthog Aircraft in Action

Sep. 6, 2011 12:38pm

A 10 Thunderbolt Airplane Is a Superb U.S. Fighting Tool

In an age of fancy unmanned aerial vehicles and stealth fighters, some of the meat-and-potato warfighting tools in the American arsenal get overlooked, but not today:

The Blaze brings you, the A-10 Warthog.

A 10 Thunderbolt Airplane Is a Superb U.S. Fighting ToolOfficially called the A-10 Thunderbolt, this beast of the sky has proven itself time and again as a Close Air Support (CAS) all-star. It is the only airplane designed for CAS from top to bottom. U.S. soldiers and allies in every theater of war can call this monster in to back them up and they can be confident that the enemy is in big trouble.

The Warthog has often been described as a “gun with an airplane attached,” and for good reason. Its General Dynamics GAU-8/A Avenger 30mm cannon can basically destroy anything, from tanks to massed enemy formations.

The cannon’s magazine can hold 1,350 rounds of ammunition, with a firing rate of 3900 rounds a minute. Here is a short clip of the 30mm cannon in action on a hillside in Afghanistan:

And here’s a clip that shows just a glimpse of the damage it can do:

See the plane soar through the skies:

Then there’s the view from the cockpit:

The 30mm cannon — which makes the clearly identifiable ‘ripping’ sound that signals a warthog in action– is only part of the payload package. The A-10 has 11 external pylons that can be outfitted with a vast array of munitions, including maverick and sidewinder missiles.

A 10 Thunderbolt Airplane Is a Superb U.S. Fighting ToolA 10 Thunderbolt Airplane Is a Superb U.S. Fighting ToolBeyond its cannon and other offensive armaments, the Warthog airframe is perfectly suited to CAS missions. It flies low and slow, which means it can pound targets over a long period of time, and pilots can make out what is going on at ground level.

Unlike pricier and more modern airframes, the Warthog is built to take hits. Its entire cockpit and essential electronics equipment is encased in a titanium box meant to withstand direct, armor-piercing ground fire. It is a highly survivable aircraft, which means during an intense firefight, it is among the best CAS options out there.

This video gives you a solid overview of the “Hog,” a true aerial war machine that will likely see active use in conflict for many years to come (courtesy of The Daily):

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Comments (226)

1 2 3 … 6
  • whathappenedtomycountry
    Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:21pm

    YES!!! AWESOME!!!! America CAN be great again, just get the commie pig out of the White House!

    Report this comment

    whathappenedtomycountry  
    • Divineliberty
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:26pm

      There is nothing stealth about that fighter jet…but they do pack a punch

      Report this comment

      Divineliberty  
    • Rogue
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:43pm

      Divine – who needs stealth when you have the ability of accurate close air support. Who in thier right mind would stick thier head up and squeeze off some rounds at one of those? Gonna be a real bad day for you if a warthog sees your firing position. lol

      Report this comment

      Rogue  
    • Buck Sexton
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:55pm

      Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this piece included “stealth” in the title: that was an editorial glitch. It is obviously one of the least “stealth” planes on the planet, as reflected throughout the piece, including the very first line. In the final editing process, the word stealth was accidentally added to the title (not by the author) and we fixed it ASAP. Sorry about the (brief) error, Blaze readers.

      Report this comment

      Buck Sexton  
    • Brad Wesselmann
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:58pm

      And can take one! I remember in Desert Storm one made it back with a hole in the wing about a foot across and I think one of the engines were jacked up to boot and it still made it home, all present and accounted for. What a great aircraft!!

      Report this comment

      Brad Wesselmann  
    • knockered
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 2:00pm

      I’m proud to say I was involved in the construction of about 100 of those aircraft and can say it was the best job I ever had. They displayed that gun on family day once and believe me it was amazing.

      Report this comment

      knockered  
    • AMERICA4EVER
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 2:05pm

      My favorite modern day, military aircraft. Bad a$$! They were going to retire this aircraft, but decided not to.

      Report this comment

      AMERICA4EVER  
    • DanWesson455
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 2:09pm

      Come in Low in the early Morning or Late evening Sun. It is all the stealth you need. Just as the Cobra Gun Ships did in Nam. Drove Charlie Crazy. They could hear em but couldn’t see em until it was too late.

      Report this comment

      DanWesson455  
    • KickinBack
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 2:21pm

      Megatron lives!

      Report this comment

      KickinBack  
    • t00nces2
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 2:23pm

      BAD! ASS! AIRCRAFT!!!

      There, not all caps

      Report this comment

      t00nces2  
    • Seabee79
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 2:31pm

      Well if I was a turbin head, wife beating, sharia law loving muslim, I would not want to see that in the sky turning around to swoop down on me. I’d start dressing because I’d be seein my 72 virgins pretty soon.

      Report this comment

      Seabee79  
    • Lamarr01
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 2:32pm

      The A-10 may not be stealthy on radar but to someone on the ground you can’t hear it coming. The ZZZZZZ’s from the cannons announces its presence. It does make some noise when it is flying away. Modern missiles and bombs kill without warning. The A-10 gives the Taliban time to cr*p their pants.

      The defense department has been trying to make the A-10 obsolete since before Desert Storm. The F-35 will be much more expensive and technologically sophisticated. There are about 13,000 MANPAD missiles missing from Libya. These Man Portable missiles built by the Russians can knock down A-10′s and helicopters that come within range.

      Report this comment

      Lamarr01  
    • Mtroom
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 2:34pm

      Well, I have to disagree with you guys on the stealth issue… After years of living at the end of the runways at Nellis A.F.Base I can say for a fact that the A-10 is still a very stealthy aircraft…Now, does it have the radar stealth of our other planes, no…But what it does have is the ability to fly far below most radar and the engines are never heard until the plane is past you…That, to me, still makes this beast (my favorite by far) a very stealthy aircraft. I have many pictures from my backyard of these planes, that are so low, you can see the pilots waving at me as i took the picture…Truly awesome.

      Report this comment

      Mtroom  
    • JustJerry
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 3:20pm

      Yay, more war propaganda!! Thanks Blaze.

      Report this comment

      JustJerry  
    • Black Manta
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 3:38pm

      I’m sorry to bust your bubble but, America can never be great again for the simple fact that we forget about God now a days…Psalm 9:17

      Report this comment

      Black Manta  
    • IntegrityFirst08
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 3:40pm

      I worked with these aircraft for 9 Years in the USAF. They are AWESOME. Our unit has so much pride with these planes. They are just incredible. They are hardly stealth, but what people see today in more modern Jet engines is not what you hear in an A-10.

      We were often given the Priviledge of Taking a chinook ride to the Bomb range where we can watch the A-10′s in action strafe the range with their gun. Let me tell you that the sound of the gun is WILD. UNMISTAKEABLE if you ever heard it overseas, and thats the TRUE sound of FREEDOM.

      Report this comment

      IntegrityFirst08  
    • Coulterr
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 3:46pm

      the aircraft was actually designed around the gun.

      Report this comment

      Coulterr  
    • Hobbs57
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 3:48pm

      @ MTROOM, When were you at Nellis ?? I was there from 95 – 98. CE 99th. – I do remember those loud tank killers. What an amazing plain. I do recall when they were going to get rid of that plain. I even believe they did cut back the AF’s inventory. I loved being at Nellis. We got to see just about evry plain there is there. I even got to see an SR-71 and U-2 that had stopped in, sonic boom and all. That was NASA of course. I wonder who has those planes now that NASA is done ??

      Report this comment

      Hobbs57  
    • Hobbs57
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 3:50pm

      Sorry MTROOM, I meant they were loud after they had passed. I know exactly what you mean, they sneak up on you. By the time you hear them, it would be to late. ..

      Report this comment

      Hobbs57  
    • 65Mustang
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 4:35pm

      I agree!!!!!!!

      Report this comment

      65Mustang  
    • lorgrom
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 4:41pm

      @kickinback Awesome reference, got a real chuckle, thanks

      Report this comment

      lorgrom  
    • chazman
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 5:14pm

      … an American crowd pleaser. This is what we will continue to unleash on Islam! Splat!

      Report this comment

      chazman  
    • OlefromMN
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 5:53pm

      A10:

      The ugliest most amazing bird in the air. It is so ugly it is beautiful. Understand it is fun to fly as well.

      Report this comment

      OlefromMN  
    • SHOOTnCRASH
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 5:56pm

      We never weren’t great! Who needs stealth? I want them to see us coming so they get a chance to kiss each others asses goodbye!

      Report this comment

      SHOOTnCRASH  
    • LibertyUSA
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 6:17pm

      I once heard someone say that the plane is so slow it could get rear ended by a duck! Regardless, you do notwant to be on the receiving end of this fine aircraft.

      Report this comment

      LibertyUSA  
    • Psychosis
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 6:46pm

      this plane can stay in the air with 3/4 of its wing missing

      YES I SAID THREE QUARTERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      this is one bad mamma jammma

      Report this comment

      Psychosis  
    • fatjack
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 7:19pm

      AMERICA4EVER
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 2:05pm

      My favorite modern day, military aircraft. Bad a$$! They were going to retire this aircraft, but decided not to————————————————————————————————-

      My favorite also………I was in awe watching them controlling the air space over Baghdad and was in shock when I found out later that all that action was being preformed by Slims.

      Report this comment

      fatjack  
    • ErinLindsey
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 8:01pm

      This is my favorite airplane in the world!

      I love the A-10! It’s an gun with an airplane built around it.

      Report this comment

      ErinLindsey  
    • hud
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 8:52pm

      If you want to know how this plane made it past the perfumed princes of the pentagon read “Boyd” a book about a great American pilot and true genius.

      Report this comment

      hud  
    • ecurbyy
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 10:09pm

      That’s great! We have all these incredible destructive weapons that we can’t use because it would be politically incorrect and it might kill an enemy and destroy some of their stuff. And this type of weapon is pretty much useless in the war against terror. Common sense is our best defense. Ron Paul in 2012. Liberty, prosperity, peace. Bring our troops home and defend America from within America. We’ve got everything we need right here at home and we always have. Screw the N.W.O.

      Report this comment

      ecurbyy  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 10:54pm

      They’re useless unless we have the will to use them…..and often.

      Report this comment

      ChiefGeorge  
    • TEXIFICATION
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 12:09am

      “You cannot get the water to clear up until you get the pigs out of the creek.”

      Report this comment

      TEXIFICATION  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 6:56am

      JEFFERSON Cool! The gift that keeps on giving…………

      Report this comment

      RepubliCorp  
    • lobster
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 9:47am

      I’ve wondered for many years now, why are we not making new airframe B-52s’? We’ve been refitting the engines and avionics for years now. I guess the stealth is supposed to be the “wave” of the future. At 60,000 ft. you really don’t need stealth in most bombing runs. Oh, yeah that’s right we gave the airframe equipment to the chinese under George the first from McDonnell-Douglas.

      Report this comment

      lobster  
    • teamarcheson
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 10:50am

      Where are the bodies?

      By the time the pilot gets clearance to open fire from a “Political Officer” back in Washington, the enemy slips away. On You Tube a video shows where a pilot had to wait ten minutes to obtain clearance to open fire on enemy troops shooting at US Forces. We are now fight a “Democrat Party” war where we cannot kill the enemy. This is just like Korea and Vietnam.

      Report this comment

      teamarcheson  
    • teamarcheson
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 10:54am

      We have lost the war to a military force that does not even have airplanes. The enemy does not have Democrat Senators either. The best way to have won that war would have been to send evil Senator John Kerry to Getmo.

      Report this comment

      teamarcheson  
    • Dave In Arizona
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 11:05am

      What do you mean we CAN be great? We ARE great! Don’t you forget it! It’s that jackass in the White House that’s the problem.

      Report this comment

      Dave In Arizona  
    • Avi8or
      Posted on September 8, 2011 at 4:24am

      I absolutely LOVE this aircraft. Had my eyes been better, I’d be sitting behind the controls of one for sure.

      Some other fun videos you may have seen…
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Kgusd1rN6E
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBNuG5O3Zsg

      Report this comment

      Avi8or  
  • Omnivore
    Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:21pm

    The announcer says the main gun is “thirty caliber”. Uh, no. 30 mm is not 30 caliber. If we convert millimeters to inches, the 30 mm is actually, what, 118 caliber, or 1.18 inches bore diameter?

    It’s funny though; It’s come to the point where I would be surprised if an announcer actually got something like that right.

    Report this comment

    Omnivore  
  • PRMurphyinWA
    Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:21pm

    Awesome aircraft. Pure. Bad. Ass. Love ‘em, but they are not “stealthy” in the USAF terminology of low radar-IR signature “stealthy”. CAS mission, low level combat capable, quietER turbofan engines, etc, but not “stealth”.

    Report this comment

    PRMurphyinWA  
  • cemerius
    Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:19pm

    Well the 20 mm cannon has been called the “whisper gun”…..imagine what happens when the gun starts tearing apart all your lovely armored vehicles….no amount of praying to Allah will save your camel’s “behind” during this moment…….stop tearing apart the article people and enjoy one of our oldest attack aircraft doing what no one else can!!! Semper Fi to all the A-10 pilots!!

    Report this comment

    cemerius  
  • NC1
    Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:16pm

    The A-10 is why I joined the Air Force.

    Report this comment

    NC1  
    • Theleftisda
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 2:27pm

      My son joined the Airforce for that reason and is on his way to become an A-10 pilot

      Report this comment

      Theleftisda  
  • Wojciech W.
    Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:14pm

    This is the Muscle-Hot-Rod-Power-Wrath(of the Four House Men) type of loving, death dealing plane we can all love.

    Report this comment

    Wojciech W.  
  • AlmostaCowboy
    Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:13pm

    An A-10 is about as “stealthy” as a steam locomotive! And just as subtle.

    Report this comment

    AlmostaCowboy  
  • Doctor Nordo
    Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:12pm

    Did they really call this badboy UGLY?!?! I personally think that it is a sexy looking aircraft.

    Report this comment

    Doctor Nordo  
  • Thinking Man
    Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:11pm

    Stealth? The A-10 is not a stealthy airplane.

    Report this comment

    Thinking Man  
  • Jethro212
    Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:09pm

    Get the word stealth out of that title before the entire USAF marches on your website. They were the mainstay at the base my parents were at, A-10s are the tank busters, warthog tank killer!

    Report this comment

    Jethro212  
  • Gary Fishaholic
    Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:05pm

    Always did like this workhorse because of the firepower and protection it affords the pilots. Lot’s of redundancy.

    Report this comment

    Gary Fishaholic  
  • bigglesworth
    Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:05pm

    Headline should read: Awesome Vid: Watch the U.S. Military’s Enemy Craps their Pants A-10C Warthog Aircraft in Action.

    There’s nothing stealthy about this kick ass bird.

    Report this comment

    bigglesworth  
  • John0397
    Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:04pm

    Stealth?? No. Deadly?? Very much so.

    Report this comment

    John0397  
  • Perspective
    Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:01pm

    You can see this and many other planes at the USAF Museum near Dayton Ohio. I think the stealth part is when all the enemy hide after a flyby of one of these monsters.

    Report this comment

    Perspective  
  • Xpat48
    Posted on September 6, 2011 at 12:59pm

    I WANT ONE.

    God, I’m in love for the first time.

    SWEET-BABY-JESUS.

    Report this comment

    Xpat48  
  • Evil_Conservative
    Posted on September 6, 2011 at 12:57pm

    Still looking for the stealth in this story. To the best of my knowledge “stealthing” this thing with all the weapons bristling would require a massive rework of the airplane. Like enclosed weapons bays and such. Good luck hiding the 30 MM cannon or keeping the armor stealthy.

    Report this comment

    Evil_Conservative  
    • peteasdf
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:02pm

      Yeah, warthog stealth is news to me.

      Report this comment

      peteasdf  
    • MySacredHonor
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:03pm

      Meanest thing in the lower sky… Terrorists crap there pants when they know this thing is around! and yes it is stealthy… if fly’s low and slow under radar… so no its not covered with some super advanced polymer coating or some such.. but its dam hard to spot! so yea.. its stealth!
      Its also so mean it doesn’t need to be that sneaky!

      Report this comment

      MySacredHonor  
    • bccrane
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:16pm

      The stealth is it can come in low and slow. We still have training flights of the A10′s come over us and you have to be quick to catch a view of them before they pass by (good thing they don’t fire on us we wouldn’t stand a chance). Ugly jet but a beautiful sight. Years ago they would do pretend bombing runs and strikes over us, awesome sight, but there are always people in the area who complained so it is no longer done here.

      Report this comment

      bccrane  
    • Buck Sexton
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 2:05pm

      Editor’s Comment: An early version of this posting included “stealth” in the title. That was an editorial accident, added to the title just before publication (and not by the author).

      We clearly knew, as reflected throughout the piece, the Hog is not a “stealth” plane.

      Apologies for the glitch, we fixed it ASAP.

      Report this comment

      Buck Sexton  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on September 6, 2011 at 12:57pm

    Reminds me of

    the

    TEA PARTY!

    YOU GO, AMERICA!!!!

    Report this comment

    kickagrandma  
  • spadikam12
    Posted on September 6, 2011 at 12:55pm

    We have everything Courage, weapons and power but missing one thing “confidence” because we don’t have a good Commander in chief.

    Report this comment

    spadikam12  
  • Lesterp
    Posted on September 6, 2011 at 12:53pm

    Sweet ride!

    Report this comment

    Lesterp  
  • Tituspullo
    Posted on September 6, 2011 at 12:51pm

    Freedom Farts are Awesome!!! Love em

    Report this comment

    Tituspullo  
  • J.C. McGlynn
    Posted on September 6, 2011 at 12:48pm

    I always liked this aircraft. Always the ulgy ones because they were the workhorses. This one live up to it’s daddy’s reputation “The P-47 D Thunderbolt.”

    Report this comment

    J.C. McGlynn  
    • Tx Spud Bar
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 5:40pm

      Yes a great aircraft ,but watch out the Raptor has already tasted this regimes distaste for American greatness.This armored eagle could be next.

      Report this comment

      Tx Spud Bar  
  • Cabo King
    Posted on September 6, 2011 at 12:46pm

    awsom plane…watch them here in AZ, doing target practice

    Report this comment

    Cabo King  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on September 6, 2011 at 12:45pm

    I love the Warthog, there are times I have heard the plane called the “Flying Tank” and “Titanium Bathtub with Teeth.” This thing would give anyone on the receiving end nightmares just at the thought of it coming down at them and introducing itself.

    Report this comment

    Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • J.C. McGlynn
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 12:53pm

      The one I heard was the pilots called it “The Warthog” because it gets in-close to fight just like a four-legged one.

      Report this comment

      J.C. McGlynn  
  • Fleshking
    Posted on September 6, 2011 at 12:44pm

    There is absolutely nothing about this aircraft that is stealth.

    Report this comment

    Fleshking  
    • Patriot Z
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 12:50pm

      heheh dont have to be…this thing is like chuck norris…it dont win battles…it just allows the enemy to loose!! hahahah

      Report this comment

      Patriot Z  
    • Chuck Stein
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 12:54pm

      My thoughts exactly! I saw the headline and wondered “what kind of mod had been made to make it ‘stealth’”? Answer — “none.” The A-10 was designed based upon the German success on the Eastern Front with the Ju-87 D (a Stuka equipped with a 37mm anti-tank cannon under each wing). On German pilot (Erich Rudel) took out 500 Soviet tanks. He was shot down at least once, but lived to write a the book “Stuka Pilot.”

      Report this comment

      Chuck Stein  
    • joe1234
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 2:29pm

      I’m surprised anyone else remembers Hans Ulrich Rudel…he came up with the idea to make the stuka a tank killer…

      Report this comment

      joe1234  
  • trolltrainer
    Posted on September 6, 2011 at 12:43pm

    The A-10 is stealthy? Check the headline Blaze…

    Report this comment

    trolltrainer  
    • CyberPro
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:00pm

      Yes, the A-10 IS Stealhy, at least when compared with other fighter/bombers. I recently attended an airshow where A-10′s were flying low overhead, and they were really quiet. This was even when standing on an airstrip with no trees nearby, when there are trees to help absorb and deflect the sound, it is even better. I have had Harriers fly directly overhead at nearly treetop level and really fast. Those are very loud, but the sound does not get there much before the jet. In this way, those can be surprising too.

      Report this comment

      CyberPro  
    • MySacredHonor
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:01pm

      Meanest thing in the lower sky… Terrorists crap there pants when they know this thing is around! and yes it is stealthy… if fly’s low and slow under radar… so no its not covered with some super advanced polymer coating or some such.. but its dam hard to spot! so yea.. its stealth!

      Report this comment

      MySacredHonor  
    • trolltrainer
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:18pm

      Guys…There is a definite definition to the military use of the word “stealth.” This airplane does not have any stealth technology. It is not a stealth aircraft. Any jet flying low and fast will “sneak up to” someone on the ground.

      Report this comment

      trolltrainer  
    • BlazingInSC
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:26pm

      @Cyberpro – “Stealth” has little to do with it’s audible level. Also, anyone who has ever heard the A-10 knows its distinctive sound (especially when firing it’s 30′s). “Stealth” refers more to its Radar footprint. The A-10 incorporates no stealth elements of design and is very detectable using Radar… It can shrink it’s Radar footprint with flight maneuvers, but it’s by no means a “stealthy” aircraft. Submarines rely on their stealth to create the deterrence factor – but the A-10′s deterrence factor is its presence.

      Report this comment

      BlazingInSC  
    • macpappy
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 5:19pm

      @cyberpro
      small correction, the A-10 is not a fighter/bomber, it is a CSA “close air support” tank killer.
      Strictly for support of ground units.

      Report this comment

      macpappy  
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