A-10C Thunderbolt II

The A-10C Thunderbolt II is a close air support aircraft, the modernized version of the original A-10A. It is renowned for its durability and effectiveness against armored targets, featuring a powerful 30mm rotary cannon. The aircraft remains indispensable to ground troops due to its continued success in combat and multiple technological upgrades over its service life.

The history of its manufacturer, Fairchild, centers on the company now known as Fairchild Republic. In the early 1970s, the U.S. Air Force sought an attack aircraft designed specifically for close air support. Fairchild Republic’s YA-10A prototype won this crucial bid in 1973. The A-10A entered service in March 1976 and first saw combat in 1991 during the Gulf War, flying over 8,000 sorties. Structural and technological updates have ensured the airframe’s longevity and performance through today, with no immediate plans for retirement.

Maintenance and access needs across the aircraft are crucial. Platforms and access solutions facilitate detailed work on sections like the Nose Section (Radome, Antenna, Cockpit), Landing Gear (NLG and MLG), and the Wing & Engine Pylon (Engine Inlet/Exhaust, Fan, Compressor, Turbine). Available equipment, including modular stepover platforms, trestle scaffolds, and maintenance stands, provide safe access for inspections and servicing across all aircraft areas, from the Forward Fuselage to the Tail Section (Empennage) and AFT Fuselage compartments.