A10 Thunderbolt , the American tankbuster aircraft.

A10 Thunderbolt 2	A10 Thunderbolts are known as Tankbusters for what they can do or Warthogs for their good looks. The Thunderbolt is a purpose designed ground attack aircraft. Heading up it's powerful combat system is a 30 mm GAU-8/A seven-barrel Gatling which has devastating power even against a main battle tank. This weapon fires at an incredible 3,900 rounds per minute. You can see it in the nose of A10 in the picture at left. In addition to the built in 30mm of the A10, Thunderbolts can carry 16,000 lb of external ordnance on 8 hardpoints. Examples of used ordnance include Mavericks, mk82 & mk84s, cluster type ordance and rockets etc. The aircraft can also carry a couple of sidewinders for self defence against air targets, but under combat conditions air superiority fighters should be keeping the opposing air force off the back of the A10.
The aircraft is by no means fast. Top speed is only about 420 mph, a similar figure to the old WW2 P47 Thunderbolt which is the aircraft the A10 is named after. Propelling the combat plane are two General Electric TF34-GE-100 turbofans mounted high and at the rear as shown in the pictures. The position of these engines allows for greater protection from ground fire. The Thunderbolt also has dual control lines, ie the normal hydraulic system and a cable system as backup. A10 Thunderbolts are designed to take hits and still come back home. They are also used in an observation role. Aircraft designation for these is OA10 (meaning observation, attack).	A10 Thunderbolt 2
A10 Thunderbolt 2	Capable of STOL (Short Take Off and Landing) performance, the Tankbuster can be based near the front lines where it can soon be supporting ground forces even with it's rather low top speed, when at the scene it's tough enough to stay in the area attacking ground positions from very low altitude. First deliveries of Thunderbolts were taken in 1976, since then they has served in both of the Gulf wars. In the first Gulf war alone the A10 flew over 8000 sorties.