The A-10 Thunderbolt II, nicknamed the Warthog, is the U.S. Air Force’s dedicated close-air-support attack aircraft. When people talk about the A-10 Thunderbolt model, they usually mean its variants, because Fairchild Republic never built just one version. The jet is a single-seat, twin-engine, straight-wing, subsonic warplane designed around one job: flying low and slow over a battlefield to protect troops on the ground and destroy enemy armor. Looking for a desk-size replica instead? A roundup of the best display models sits near the end.
The Three A-10 Models, Explained
Every variant shares the same airframe but fills a different role in the mission.
| Variant | Primary Role | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| A-10A | Standard close air support | Original production model and baseline for later upgrades |
| A-10C | Precision Engagement | Later upgrade with modern avionics for precision-guided weapons |
| OA-10 | Airborne forward air control | Coordinates strikes and directs other attack aircraft |
All three trace back to the YA-10 prototype, which first flew in 1972. Fairchild Republic produced the fleet through 1984, when the line shut down for good. The A-10A remains the standard service model, the A-10C is the current upgrade path, and the OA-10 covers the forward air control mission.
A-10 Specs: Speed, Range, And Firepower
Speed was never the point of the Warthog. Two General Electric TF34-GE-100 turbofans deliver 9,065 pounds of thrust each, pushing the jet to roughly 450 mph, per the U.S. Air Force A-10 fact sheet; some references list 420 mph depending on loadout and how the figure is measured. The trade-off buys the low-speed stability that makes accurate gun passes possible — a straight, unswept wing lets the plane turn tight and slow without stalling.
- Range: 800 miles (695 nautical miles); service ceiling 45,000 feet
- Maximum takeoff weight: 51,000 pounds
- Dimensions: 53 feet 4 inches long, 57 feet 6 inches wingspan, 14 feet 8 inches tall
- Pilot protection: ACES II zero/zero ejection seat plus a titanium armor “bathtub” around the cockpit
The business end is the GAU-8/A Avenger, a seven-barrel 30 mm Gatling gun mounted in the nose. It fires armor-piercing and high-explosive rounds at a rate measured in thousands per minute, giving the A-10 the punch to take on tanks. Beyond the gun, the jet carries up to 16,000 pounds of mixed ordnance on eight under-wing and three under-fuselage pylons — AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, AGM-65 Maverick missiles, laser- and electro-optically guided bombs, rockets, and countermeasure pods for flares and chaff.
What Does An A-10 Cost?
The Air Force does not publish a current purchase price for the A-10, and the aircraft was never sold to civilians. The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force lists a historical cost of $8.8 million for the A-10A on display, but that figure reflects what the jet cost when it was built, not today’s value. With production closed since 1984, no new Warthogs exist anywhere.
The practical way to own a Warthog is as a scale replica, and our roundup of the best A-10 model kits and toys covers the top display options for the shelf.
FAQs
Is the A-10 still in service?
Yes. The U.S. Air Force continues to operate A-10s, with many airframes upgraded to the A-10C Precision Engagement standard to keep them effective on modern battlefields. Retirement plans have been floated for years, but the Warthog’s unmatched close-air-support role keeps it in the inventory.
Why is the A-10 called a Warthog?
The nickname comes from the aircraft’s appearance. Its straight wings, wide fuselage, and nose-mounted cannon give it a blunt, snout-like profile that pilots thought resembled a warthog. The name stuck so firmly that the jet is now known more often as the Warthog than by its official Thunderbolt II designation.
Can you buy a real A-10?
No. Every A-10 produced belongs to the U.S. Air Force, or to museums that received retired airframes. The jet was never offered for civilian sale, and no civilian operation or registration market exists. For anyone who wants a Warthog of their own, scale models and die-cast replicas are the only option.
References & Sources
- U.S. Air Force (Joint Base Charleston). “A-10 Thunderbolt II Fact Sheet.” Source for engine, speed, range, and dimension figures.
- National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. “Fairchild Republic A-10A Thunderbolt II.” Source for the historical $8.8 million cost figure and A-10A background.
- Air & Space Forces Magazine. “A-10 Thunderbolt II.” Source for weapons loadout and variant details.