A-17 Warhawk
A-17 Warhawk
The Phoenix Milita relied on the A-10 Thunderbolt II(Warthog) to perform the anti-tank, close air-support and anti-helicopter roles in their air force during the early years of its existence. The A-10 was thought of to be the best in all of these roles until the A-17 Warhawk was created specifically to replaced it. The A-17 features improved versions of the Titanium armor and a 30mm DU gatling cannon of the A-10. A new configuration allows for more missiles and bombs to be carried, the forward canards allow for hellfires to be fitted in addition to the other armaments. In fact in one configuration it can carry and fire 38 hellfires, (this would only be in turkey-shoot situation, facing massed tanks and no SAMs, aircraft or infantry) The A-17 can take out 12 SAMs, tanks, artillery positions or AAA from about 25 miles away, using it's maverick missiles. This combined with its countermeasures and armor makes it an extremly survivable aircraft. It also has improved engines with a IR signature limiters which help reduce the area that a heat seeking missle has to lock on to. This also limits the aircraft to 700mph which is still about 250mph faster than the A-10. The three rudders, canards and wing configuration make the A-17 extremly maneverable for an aircraft of this type. Also, if 2 of the 3 rudders are destroyed, it can still fly home thanks to the computer-controlled system which will correct for the lack of the other two rudders and steer the aircraft with only the intact one. The A-17 has been sold in countless numbers to many nations over the years and it remains one of the most advanced ground attack and close-air support aircraft today.
Specifications
- Crew: 1
- Power Plant: (2) PD-92-P-101D turbofan engines
- Service Ceiling: 40,000 feet
- Maximum Speed: 700mph
Armament
- (typical loadout)
- (1) 30mm 7 Barrel Gatling Gun w/ 1700 rounds of TPM DU ammo in nose
- (4) AIM-9X Sidewinder or AIM-132 ASRAAM on wingtips
- (12) AGM-65 Maverick under wings
- (2-4) FIM-92 Stinger under canards
- [4-8] AGM-114B Hellfire MMW under canards or (36) Hydra rockets
- (4) 2,500lb Laser-Guided Bombs or JDAMs on wing
- (6) Rockeye cluster bombs, (2) 2,500lb bombs or (4) Dundral bombs on fuselage
Countermeasures
- (30) RR-129A/AL Chaff Countermeasures
- (40) MJU-51/B Advanced Infrared Flare
- AN/AAQ-24 DIRCM pod
- AN/ALQ-178 ECM pod
- ALR-56C Radar Warning Receiver
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