Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Real Life X-Wing Fighter

The Warthog

 The paint scheme on the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II disguises a 30 mm cannon capable of 4,200 rounds per minute. 

Compare the size of a 30 mm bullet to standard ammunition:
The Warthog is used for ground combat and can be armed with laser guided bombs and Sidewinder missiles.
 The fuselage of the aircraft is built around the cannon. The GAU-8/A is mounted slightly to the port side; the barrel in the firing location is on the starboard side at the 9 o'clock position so it is aligned with the aircraft's centerline. The gun's 5-foot, 11.5-inch (1.816 m) ammunition drum can hold up to 1,350 rounds of 30 mm ammunition.

Since the early 70s the A-10 has been supporting our military with deadly force.