The A-10 Thunderbolt II “Warthog” is an American military aircraft developed by Fairchild Republic for the United States Air Force. It holds the distinction of being the only aircraft in the US Air Force designated specifically for Close-Air Support (CAS), the ground attack role. The A-10 Warthog is considered one of the most important tactical aircraft in the USAF inventory and is renowned for its durability and firepower.
The A-10 Warthog was developed because the USAF believed that the Air Force needed a specialized aircraft suitable for close-air support missions. This meant an attack aircraft designed to take out enemy ground forces and supporting assets. The aircraft is designed to endure heavy fire and be capable of performing low-speed ground attack maneuvers while carrying enough armament to be effective.
The initial costs to acquire the A-10 Warthog are quite substantial. At the initial rollout of an A-10 Warthog, it was estimated to cost around $15 million. When the costs for upgrades and maintenance are factored in, the total cost for an A-10 Warthog is roughly $18.8 million.
The initial cost for an A-10 Warthog includes flight-testing costs, airframe fabrication costs, and engine and avionics installation costs. The full cost of the A-10 Warthog includes engines, flight control system, communications, countermeasures and sensors, flight data communications and ground power and fuel system.
