The A-10 Thunderbolt II, named after its distinguished WWII predecessor, the P-47 Thunderbolt, is the only aircraft in the United States Air Force that is exclusively committed to providing air-to-ground support. Its robustness, ease of upkeep, and potent armament earned the hearts of every ground soldier it has supported over the years. Here are 20 incredible facts about the A-10, which is still in production today after it was first introduced in 1976.

1. Affectionate Nickname

The A-10’s clumsy look earned it the moniker “Warthog”. Following many years of successful sorties, the “Warthog” earned a friendly moniker that highlighted the aircraft’s toughness and durability.

2. High-Level Safety Design

Enclosed between the A-10 cockpit and flight control systems is a 1,200-pound “bathtub” of armor.It can resist shots with an armor-piercing diameter of 23 mm or 50 caliber. Because of its honeycomb panel construction, the leading edges of the wings and tail are more resilient to battle damage.

3. Heaviest Automatic Cannon

The 30 mm GAU-8/A Avenger, the largest automatic gun ever installed on an aircraft, is carried by the A-10. The weight of the cannon makes up almost 16% of the airplane!

4. Trick Design

A fake canopy is frequently painted on the belly of A-10s to deceive hostile troops regarding the plane’s position and direction.