A-10S Stealth Warthog

"Ground forces worst nightmare is now even scarier... A stealth warthog..."

—Osean pilot

The Fairchild Republic A-10S Stealth Warthog is a single-seat, twin-turbofan, straight-wing, subsonic attack aircraft developed by Fairchild Republic for the Osean Air Defense Force. In service since 2003, it is commonly referred to as the "Stealthog or "Warthog" and "Hog" like its brothers. The A-10S was designed to provide close air support (CAS) to friendly ground troops by attacking armored vehicles, tanks, and other enemy ground forces like the original A-10 Thunderbolt; it is the only production-built aircraft designed solely for CAS to have served with the Osean Air Force along with the GAV-25 Bullshark and the GAV-25TM Bullshark II. Its secondary mission is to direct other aircraft in attacks on ground targets, a role called forward air controller-airborne.

The A-10S was intended to improve on the performance and hardpoints of the A-10 Thundebolt II. Its airframe was designed for durability, with measures such as 1,200 pounds (540 kg) of titanium armor to protect the cockpit and aircraft systems, enabling it to absorb damage and continue flying. Its ability to take off and land from relatively short runways permits operation from airstrips close to the front lines, and its simple design enables maintenance with minimal facilities.

The Circum-Pacific War is when the aircraft distinguished itself, creating heavy losses for the Yuktobanian and Belkan ground forces. The A-10S also participated in other conflicts that Osea participate in and many other wars and conflicts around the world, and the most recently in the Lighthouse War.

In 1992, a program was started to upgrade the original A-10 to the A-10S configuration, with modern avionics, precision weaponry and stealth capabiltity. The Osean Air Defense Force had stated the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II would replace the original A-10 as it entered service, but this remains highly contentious within the OADF and in political circles. With a variety of upgrades, wing replacements and mostly stealth capability, the A-10S' service life can be extended to 2040 or even more.

Development[]

The development of conventionally armed attack aircraft in the Osean military as design efforts for tactical aircraft focused on the delivery of nuclear weapons using high-speed designs like the McDonnell F-101 Voodoo and Republic F-105 Thunderchief. As the Osean military entered the Belkan War, its one of the ground-attack aircraft was the old Douglas A-1 Skyraider and the A-10 Thunderbolt II. The A-1 Skyraider with a relatively large payload and long loiter time, the propeller-driven design was relatively slow and vulnerable to air-to-air and SAM fire. The Osean Air Force and Navy lost 266 A-1s in action in Belka, largely from enemy aircraft. The A-1 Skyraider also had poor firepower.

The lack of modern conventional attack capability prompted calls for a specialized attack aircraft. On 7 June 1995, the Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara ordered the OADF to develop two tactical aircraft, one for the long-range strike and interdictor role, and the other focusing on the fighter-bomber mission. The former was the Tactical Fighter Experimental (TFX) intended to be common design for the OADF and the OMDF, which emerged as the General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark, while the second was filled by a version of the Osean Navy's McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II. While the Phantom went on to be one of the most successful fighter designs of the 1990 and proved to be a capable fighter-bomber, its lack of loiter time was a major problem, and to a lesser extent, its poor low-speed performance. It was also expensive to buy and operate, with a flyaway cost of $2 million in FY1965 ($17.2 million today), and operational costs over $900 per hour ($8,000 per hour today).

After a broad review of its tactical force structure, the Osean Air Force decided to adopt a low-cost aircraft to supplement the F-4 and F-111. It first focused on the Northrop F-5E Tiger II, which had air-to-air capability. A 1995 cost-effectiveness study shifted the focus from the F-5 to the less expensive A-7D variant of the LTV A-7 Corsair II, and a contract was awarded. However, this aircraft doubled in cost with demands for an upgraded engine and new avionics.

Weapons[]

Guns:[]

1x 30mm GAU-8/A Avenger cannon

Missiles:[]

AIM-9 Sidewinder

Air-to-Air Weapons:[]

STDM (AIM-9 Sidewinder)
SAAM (AIM-7 Sparrow)
HVAA (AIM-7 Sparrow)
SASM (AIM-132 ASRAAM)
HPAA (AIM-9X Sidewinder)
QAAM (AIM-9X Sidewinder)

Air-to-Ground Weapons:[]

SOD (AGM-154 JSOW)
GPB (GBU-24 Paveway III)
RKTL (Hydra 70)
UGBM (Mk.82 Snakeye)
UGBL (Mk.84 JDAM)
BDSP
SFFS (CBU-87)
XSDB (GBU-53/B Stormbreaker)
LASM (AGM-84 Harpoon)
LAGM (AGM-88 HARM)
4AGM (AGM-65 Maverick)
8AGM (AGM-179 JAGM)
FAEB

Multi-Purpose Weapons:[]

MGP (GPU-5/A)
MSTM (AIM-9 Sidewinder)

Flares:[]

4x Flares

Skins[]

Skin 01: Air superiority two-tone grey
Skin 02: European One camouflage
Skin 03: Arctic camouflage
Skin 04: White body with black nose design; replica of modified A-10 used by the 118th Fighter Squadron 103rd Fighter Wing "Flying Yankees"
Skin 05: Gray body with dark and white stains. Known as "Flipper" camouflage
Skin 06: Grey air superiority camouflage based on the F-22A Raptor