CLARK AIR BASE, Pampanga -- Of the 12 or so
American aircraft put on display in Clark Air Base, Pampanga on Saturday, the
most potent and deadly is the Fairchild Republic A-10 "Thunderbolt"
II.
Three A-10s were present in the aircraft display of
Balikatan 2015.
The "Thunderbolt" is the United States Air Force's
premier tank-busting aircraft. It is also operated by the American Air National
Guard units.
It is the only USAF production aircraft designed solely for
close air support, including attacking tanks, armored vehicles, and other
ground targets with limited air defenses. It can be configured for the maritime
strike missions.
The A-10 was designed around the 30mm GAU-8 Avenger rotary
cannon that is its primary armament.
The "Thunderbolt" 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.
The A-10A single-seat variant was the only version built,
though one A-10A was converted to an A-10B twin-seat version.
In 2005, a program was begun to upgrade the remaining A-10A
aircraft to the A-10C configuration.
Aside from the A-10, also exhibited was the Boeing P-8
Poseidon, a maritime strike aircraft developed for the US Navy.
The aircraft has been developed by Boeing Defense, Space and
Security, modified from the 737-800ERX.
The P-8 conducts anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface
warfare, and shipping interdiction, along with an electronic signals
intelligence role.
This involves carrying torpedoes, depth charges, SLAM-ER
missiles, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and other weapons. It is able to drop and
monitor sonobuoys.
Aside from these two planes, also shown were the Boeing
AV-8B "Harrier" II, a single-engine ground-attack aircraft that
constitutes the second generation of the Harrier Jump Jet family.
Capable of vertical or short takeoff and landing (V/STOL),
the aircraft was designed in the late 1970s as an Anglo-American development of
the British Hawker Siddeley Harrier, the first operational V/STOL aircraft.
Named after a bird of prey, it is primarily employed on
light attack or multi-role missions, ranging from close air support of ground
troops to armed reconnaissance.
Also present was the Boeing C-17 "Globemaster"
III, a large military transport aircraft. It was developed for the USAF from
the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas. The C-17 carries forward the
name of two previous piston-engined military cargo aircraft, the Douglas C-74
"Globemaster" and the Douglas C-124 "Globemaster" II.
The C-17 commonly performs strategic airlift missions,
transporting troops and cargo throughout the world. Additional roles include
tactical airlift, medical evacuation and airdrop duties.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=756000
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