16x #484 GBU-39
Still 6 hardpoints empty (available). I would suggest jamming pod and Sidewinders and fuel tanks for example .
Payload is 16x 250lbs=4.000lbs of the 16.000 total external payload available.
Although it is still a test, it is part of the overall modernization program. Guestimate, IOC in 2023?
Requires Buddy Illumination
No
Default Combat Radius (nm)
No data, but payload is 16x 250lbs=4.000lbs
Weather Restrictions
All-Weather
Time-of-Day Restrictions
Day & Night
Capable of Quick Turnaround
Yes
Comments
The Air Force, in fact, has recently started fielding a new improved version of the Thales Visionix Scorpion Helmet Mounted Display System, used by A-10 pilots following the Helmet Mounted Integrated Targeting (HMIT) program in 2012. The main modification is the replacement of the original magnetic tracking sensor with a new sensor known as HObIT (Hybrid Optical-based Inertial Tracker), which should track pilot head movements more accurately. As our Editor David Cenciotti wrote in a past article:
Developed by GentexVisionix, the Scorpion is a monocle-based system that can be applied to a variety of helmet shells, that requires just a single, small interface control unit and one magnetic sensor mounted in the cockpit. It provides full-color, dynamic flight and mission data, projected directly and safely into the aircrew’s line of sight via a large field-of-view, fully transparent, rugged, optical waveguide assembly. This capability allows the user to remain head-up and eyes-out of the cockpit with greatly enhanced real-time Situational Awareness (SA).
The A-10 will also receive Link 16 data link to complement the existing Situational Awareness Data Link (SADL), introduced with the Precision Engagement upgrade that changed the aircraft designation from A-10A to A-10C.
[According to the U.S. Air Force] A-10s-get-digital-makeover-with-data-link/), “SADL is a military inter-computer data exchange format, similar in many ways to the more prolific format Link 16 (utilized by F-15s, some F-16s, and many command and control platforms), and supports the exchange of tactical information in real time. SADL is used primarily by US land forces, the A-10C and the F-16C+ in the tactical arena. Link 16 and SADL share information via gateways, which are land-based or airborne portals that permit the transfer of information between different formats. A command and control platform can send digital communication via SADL to the A-10C for a variety of purposes. Tasking messages, targeting information, threat warnings, and friendly locations can all be sent and received by the A-10C.”
With the integration of Link 16, the A-10 will be able to communicate and exchange data with all other legacy air assets, namely tactical jets, electronic warfare aircraft, bombers and AWACS, as well as the F-35.
The last known upgrade is the integration of a Synthetic Aperture Radar pod to supplement the existing targeting capabilities provided by the Sniper and Litening targeting pods. While not officially confirmed, the pod in question could be the AN/ASQ-236 “Dragon’s Eye” Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar Pod, already operational on the F-15E Strike Eagle.
DB Selector
DB3K
User(s)
USAF
Weapons Carried
16x #484 GBU-39 Still 6 hardpoints empty (available). I would suggest jamming pod and Sidewinders and fuel tanks for example .
Payload is 16x 250lbs=4.000lbs of the 16.000 total external payload available.
Although it is still a test, it is part of the overall modernization program. Guestimate, IOC in 2023?
Requires Buddy Illumination
No
Default Combat Radius (nm)
No data, but payload is 16x 250lbs=4.000lbs
Weather Restrictions
All-Weather
Time-of-Day Restrictions
Day & Night
Capable of Quick Turnaround
Yes
Comments
The Air Force, in fact, has recently started fielding a new improved version of the Thales Visionix Scorpion Helmet Mounted Display System, used by A-10 pilots following the Helmet Mounted Integrated Targeting (HMIT) program in 2012. The main modification is the replacement of the original magnetic tracking sensor with a new sensor known as HObIT (Hybrid Optical-based Inertial Tracker), which should track pilot head movements more accurately. As our Editor David Cenciotti wrote in a past article:
Developed by GentexVisionix, the Scorpion is a monocle-based system that can be applied to a variety of helmet shells, that requires just a single, small interface control unit and one magnetic sensor mounted in the cockpit. It provides full-color, dynamic flight and mission data, projected directly and safely into the aircrew’s line of sight via a large field-of-view, fully transparent, rugged, optical waveguide assembly. This capability allows the user to remain head-up and eyes-out of the cockpit with greatly enhanced real-time Situational Awareness (SA).
The A-10 will also receive Link 16 data link to complement the existing Situational Awareness Data Link (SADL), introduced with the Precision Engagement upgrade that changed the aircraft designation from A-10A to A-10C.
[According to the U.S. Air Force] A-10s-get-digital-makeover-with-data-link/), “SADL is a military inter-computer data exchange format, similar in many ways to the more prolific format Link 16 (utilized by F-15s, some F-16s, and many command and control platforms), and supports the exchange of tactical information in real time. SADL is used primarily by US land forces, the A-10C and the F-16C+ in the tactical arena. Link 16 and SADL share information via gateways, which are land-based or airborne portals that permit the transfer of information between different formats. A command and control platform can send digital communication via SADL to the A-10C for a variety of purposes. Tasking messages, targeting information, threat warnings, and friendly locations can all be sent and received by the A-10C.”
With the integration of Link 16, the A-10 will be able to communicate and exchange data with all other legacy air assets, namely tactical jets, electronic warfare aircraft, bombers and AWACS, as well as the F-35.
The last known upgrade is the integration of a Synthetic Aperture Radar pod to supplement the existing targeting capabilities provided by the Sniper and Litening targeting pods. While not officially confirmed, the pod in question could be the AN/ASQ-236 “Dragon’s Eye” Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar Pod, already operational on the F-15E Strike Eagle.
Sources
https://theaviationist.com/2022/03/28/the-a-10-prepares-for-bomb-truck-configuration-carrying-16-gbu-39-sdbs-during-developmental-tests/
https://theaviationist.com/2019/09/10/the-a-10c-warthog-gets-new-upgrades-to-be-ready-to-fight-in-future-high-end-conflicts/