U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Dillon Davis) Boeing has won a follow-on order for 56 replacement wings for U.S. Air Force A-1...
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| U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Dillon Davis) |
Boeing has won a follow-on order for 56 replacement wings for U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft fleet to improve mission readiness, and decrease maintenance costs. The structural refit will keep the aircraft operating through 2035
Boeing is on contract to build up to 242 wings, including these, at its plant in Macon, Ga. Refitting the fleet with new wings will improve the mission availability of A-10s by an estimated 4 percent and will help save the USAF an estimated $1.3 billion in maintenance costs during the next 30 years.
This latest order is valued at $212 million. Including this agreement, USAF has ordered 173 wings.
In 2007, Boeing was awarded a $1.1 billion contract to build replacement wings at its Macon, Ga., plant. Boeing has also contracted with Korean Aerospace Industries to build the outer wing sections.
The A-10 Thunderbolt II, also known as the Warthog, is a twin-engine aircraft that provides close-air support to ground forces and employs a wide variety of conventional munitions, including general purpose bombs. The simple, effective and survivable single-seat aircraft can be used against all ground targets, including tanks and other armored vehicles. The aircraft is currently supporting operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
A-10 have excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude, and are highly accurate weapons-delivery platforms. They can loiter near battle areas for extended periods of time and operate under 1,000-foot ceilings (303.3 meters) with 1.5-mile (2.4 kilometers)visibility. Their wide combat radius and short takeoff and landing capability permit operations in and out of locations near front lines. Using night vision goggles, A-10 pilots can conduct their missions during darkness.
The A-10 can carry up to six Maverick AGM-65/B/D/G/H/K air-to-surface missiles, and up to four AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.
