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4. A-10 Warthog vs F-35 Lightning II — Close Air Support Meets Stealth Supremacy

A-10 Warthog vs F-35 Lightning II — Close Air Support Meets Stealth Supremacy

	A-10 Thunderbolt II F-35 Lightning II Fighter Jet
Price
Our Rating	7.6 8.8
Manufacturer	Fairchild Republic Lockheed Martin
Category	Bombers & Strategic Aircraft Fighter Jets

1. General Information

Name	A-10 Thunderbolt II (Warthog)
Manufacturer	Fairchild Republic
Country of Origin	United States
Introduction / In Service Since	1977 / Active
Status	Operational
Category	Close Air Support Aircraft
Crew	1
Unit Cost	Approx. $18 million

2. Dimensions & Structure

Length	53 ft 4 in (16.16 m)
Wingspan	57 ft 6 in (17.42 m)
Height	14 ft 8 in (4.47 m)
Wing Area	506 sq ft (47 m²)
Empty Weight	24,959 lbs (11,321 kg)
Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW)	50,000 lbs (22,680 kg)

3. Performance

Maximum Speed	420 mph (676 km/h)
Range	800 miles (1,287 km)
Combat Radius	250 miles (400 km)
Service Ceiling	45,000 ft (13,700 m)
Rate of Climb	6,000 ft/min

4. Powerplant

Engine Type	2 × General Electric TF34-GE-100A
Thrust (per engine)	9,065 lbf
Total Thrust	18,130 lbf

5. Payload & Armament

Internal Payload Capacity	16,000 lbs
Weapons Bay	None (external hardpoints)
Compatible Weapons	GAU-8/A Avenger 30mm cannon, AGM-65 Maverick, Mk-82/84 bombs, rockets
Hardpoints	11 total (8 underwing, 3 fuselage)

6. Avionics & Systems

Radar System	None (uses targeting pods)
Navigation	GPS/INS
Electronic Warfare (EW)	AN/ALQ-131, AN/ALE-40 chaff/flare dispensers
Stealth Features	None

7. Operational History

Primary Operator	United States Air Force
Conflict Usage	Gulf War, Iraq War, Afghanistan, Syria
Notable Missions	Operation Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, Inherent Resolve

8. Additional Information

Variants	A-10A, A-10C
Successor / Future Replacement	Potentially F-35A (CAS role transition)
Notable Features	Titanium armor, GAU-8 cannon, redundant flight controls
Estimated Operational Life	Until 2040 (planned)

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