At first glance, the appearance of A-10

At first glance, the appearance of A-10's seem backward, and the pursuit of high performance fighter aircraft over the same period compared to the advanced aerodynamic layout, seem disproportionate, some alternative. In fact, A-10 design current time was very clever, very suitable for low-altitude combat. Medium thickness cambered this machine used straight under the wing, twin tail suspension, current time twin vertical tails of the normal distribution, the key is to determine its excellent weapon platform. This design not only facilitates arrangement under wing pylons, but also conducive to long flat tail and two vertical tail engine exhaust current time flame shielding gas flow, help suppress current time infrared-air guided missile attacks. Tail hanging engine can not only simplify the design, reduce the structural weight, but also can avoid the 30 mm cannon firing seven pipe caused the engine to swallow smoke when landing maximize avoid engine inhaled foreign body. Two vertical tail increased flight stability, combat, even if there is a tail destruction, does not result in the aircraft can not be manipulated. Long wings can not only improve the range, you can also achieve STOL, drooping wing end design current time can also reduce resistance, an increase of about 8% of the voyage. Ailerons on the outer edge of the wing following separable, can act as speed brakes when open. Straight wing angle can ensure that large low speed and low altitude maneuvering ability, especially for ground current time attack capability needed to dive. From the numerous details, the design can be described as A-10 to deduct.
Well A-10 aircraft flying at low altitude performance, current time you can rely on the terrain-air missile shield against current time attack. In order to improve the safety factor A-10, the designer has taken great pains taken measures to improve the viability of many of the aircraft: the cockpit surrounded by a 12.7 to 38 mm thick titanium armor plate constitutes a "tub", the inside is lined with bulletproof fiber, Armored total weight current time 550 kg, titanium belly armor thickness of 50 mm, the total weight of the whole machine armor 1,315 kilograms, can withstand 23 mm armor-piercing blow. The main structure of A-10 are designed for backup, fuselage beams, the main structural frame are double sets, there is a Jihuai not result in disastrous consequences. There are two main armor backup hydraulic flight control system were placed on both sides of the body, even if shot while still maintaining control, if the hydraulic system is damaged, the pilot can also control the rudder and the elevator through the cable. In addition current time to the cable, the hydraulic, electrical and other lines are divided into left and right a system that increases the safety factor. Aileron, elevator and rudder A-10's, about independent braking can have side Jihuai can ensure safety operation. According to the US with 23 mm cannon and 7.62 mm machine gun firing test, even excluding current time the driving cabin anti-stretch, deadly area A-10 and only one-tenth of ordinary fighter. A-10's two engines larger spacing, current time while the possibility of damage to a small shot. Fan case also has armor protection, when an engine is Jihuai debris will not hurt another. Even if an engine flameout, or even being hit, the aircraft can fly back to base. To prevent the fuel tank was gunfire hit, A-10 will be placed in the fuselage fuel tank, fuel tank foam rubber automatic latching, will be automatically closed after a shot to prevent oil leakage; pipelines exposed to only a small fraction of the engine and fuel tank Inter and upper body, after the tank shot tubing will automatically be closed, to avoid damage to the oil flow into the tank. Emergency can turn off the main fuel tank, using a small tank between two engines continue to fly. There was a few times, A-10 suffered multiple attacks, tail, horizontal tail, wings, current time engines and other multiple injuries in combat, still safe return.
A-10 continues the P-40 and A-1, the main landing gear and main landing gear design mode A-4's. The main landing gear retracted forward, you can free up more space arrangement weapons pylons. After the main landing gear is not fully retracted housed within reach of the wing leading edge fairing, nearly 1/2 of the wheels exposed, the purpose is to be able to absorb the impact when landing energy, protect the aircraft and its occupants. In addition, A-10 aircraft equipped with McDonnell Douglas ACES II ejection seat, ejection seat belongs to the third generation, the company's products current time in the 1970s, can be ejected safely at zero altitude, current time zero-velocity condition. Has the installation of the A-10, F-15, F-16, F-22, B-1, B-2, is the Air Force's standard universal ejection seat.