This color film, AVR-140, is a U.S. Air Force audiovisual presentation about the A-10 capabilities and testing during a sortie surge on February 8, 1977. The A-10 attack aircraft were tested in Gila Bend, Arizona. Before the day was over, each plane flew 17 missions. The plane taxis in and the wheels are blocked. The ground crew works quickly to restock it with ammunition; large depleted uranium armor-piercing shells (:08-1:40). The A-10 flies directly at the camera, passes by, and drops on a target (1:41-2:18). Ground crews quickly run to service the plane (2:32-2:40). The 30 mm GAU-8/A Avenger autocannon is shown (2:43). Another A-10 taxis in around a corner (2:45-2:53). The guns in action blow up targets (2:54-3:19). An imaging infrared maverick missile is attached and shown in action (3:20-4:20) and during stringent testing to try and fool it (4:21-4:52). For survivability, the A-10 has the autocannon, titanium armor plate shield protecting the pilot and the flight control system, self-sealing fuel tanks, redundant systems, twin engines widely separated, and cool exhausts (4:53-5:20). Pilots board their planes and take off (5:35-6:04). Pilots showcase maneuverability by flying low to the desert ground before rising (6:05-6:30). A gunner’s sights show what trying to track such a plane would entail (6:31-6:55). Targets are hit by bombs and explode (6:56-7:35). Next is the surge test conducted that date. A small auxiliary airfield near Tucson was the test site for the three A-10s (7:38-8:20). Thirty-four sorties were flown and the crew prepares the aircraft, including refueling (8:21-8:48). Prior to this, 48 munitions men and 140 inert or practice bombs were moved to Gila Bend (8:49-9:00). The first set of A-10s left just before dawn and accomplished their first mission, using their various weaponry (9:01-9:48). The planes beat the estimated time to return, restock, and take off (9:49-10:15). The view from the cockpit over its target is shown, along with the plane flying (10:16-10:35). A ground crew member talks and the team is shown checking a plane, loading munitions, refueling, and signaling for take off (10:36-11:05). How quickly the plane could get off the ground is recorded (11:06-11:30). Munitions load crews load bombs in the maintenance area with the engines still turning (11:31-12:11). Pilots trade out every four sorties (12:12-12:26). The gun spins (12:27). The crew prepares another A-10 for flight (12:55-13:16). An A-10 takes off, drops bombs, and fires rounds (13:17-13:47). Two A-10s fly side-by-side (14:07-14:19).

The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is a single-seat, twin turbofan engine, straight wing jet aircraft developed by Fairchild-Republic for the United States Air Force (USAF). Commonly referred to by the nicknames “Warthog” or “Hog”, its official name comes from the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, a World War II fighter-bomber effective at attacking ground targets. The A-10 was designed for close air support (CAS) of friendly ground troops, attacking armored vehicles and tanks, and providing quick-action support against enemy ground forces. It entered service in 1976 and is the only production-built aircraft that has served in the USAF that was designed solely for CAS. Its secondary mission is to provide forward air controller – airborne (FAC-A) support, by directing other aircraft in attacks on ground targets. Aircraft used primarily in this role are designated OA-10. The A-10 was designed around the 30 mm GAU-8 Avenger rotary cannon. 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 a significant amount of damage and continue flying. Its short takeoff and landing capability permits operation from airstrips close to the front lines, and its simple design enables maintenance with minimal facilities. With a variety of upgrades and wing replacements, the A-10’s service life may be extended to 2040; the Air Force has no planned retirement date as of June 2017.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com