- Yes
- No
This is a suggestion for the YA-10A, which is in no way related to the YA-10B
History
On September 8, 1966, General John P. McConnel made an order for a new close air support aircraft, and O December 22, a Requirements Action Directive was issued. Later In May of 1970, an even strickter request was made for the aircraft, stating the aircraft would need a 30mm gun, a limit for its max speed, takeoff run, external payload weight, operational range, and unit cost. Soon, an RFP (request for proposals) was released for the 30mm cannon, stating a high fire rate and muzzle velocity. Out of the six companies submitted aircraft proposals, only Fairchild Republic and Northrop were selected to build their prototypes, the YA-10A and YA-9A respectively. GE and Ford would be chosen to make and test the 30mm, designated the Gau-8. The A-X program would lead to the first U.S aircraft designed soley for the purpose of close air support.
The two prototype A-10s, dubbed the YA-10A, were built in the Republic factort in New York. Their serial numbers are 1369 and 1370. The Gau-8 Avenger wasn’t ready by the time the YA-10A was finished, so the M61 Vulcan was used as a stand in to proceed with testing. The 1369 was first flown by Howard Nelson on May 10, 1972. The YA-10A had a flyoff against the YA-9A, in which it won the flyoff, and won the contract for production. It later had a flyoff against the A-7 Corsair II in 1974 to prove the need for a new attack aircraft. In 1975, production A-10As started rolling off the Republic factory in Maryland, and deliveries started in 1976.
The story of the YA-10A ends in the United States Air Force Museum in Wright-Patterson Ohio, where the 71-1370 resides. Although its history was short, the YA-10A played a very important role in the creation of the A-10 Warthog we know and love today.
Photo of Howard Nelson landing at Edwards Airforce Base
Flight performance
- Max speed - 518 mph
- Climb rate - 6,000 ft/min
- Ceiling - 44,200 ft
- Powerplant - Two GE YTF34/F5 turbofans - 9,275 lbf thrust each
- Airfoil root - NACA 6716
- Airfoil tip - NACA 6713
- Empty weight - 20,500 lb
- Max weight - 45,600 lb
- Length - 52’ 7’’
- Height - 14’ 8.4’’
- Wingspan - 55’
- Wingarea - 506 sq ft
Dimensions
Spoiler
How the YA-10A’s cockpit, differs from the A-10A today
Armament
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One M61A1 20mm cannon - 660 rounds of ammunition
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11 hardpoints for Mk 82 bombs, and BLU-1 incendiary bombs
The outer 4 hardpoints are MAU-50/A, the 7 inner hardpoints are MAU-40/A
Photo showcasing the M61 and bomb load
Implementation ingame
First off, I’d like to mention that most the images I have of it are of the 71-1369 model, I do, however, have one clear image of the 71-1370, and in my opinion, its paint job is more appealing than the 1369.
The YA-10A would be most fitting as a tech tree vehicle inbetween the F-84F and the, A-4B or between the A-4B and the AV-8C depending on whether its put at 8.3 or 8.7. It wouldn’t fit as an event or premium as there’s already premium/event 8.x CAS options, aswell as there already being the A-10A Early.
Why it should be added
America currently lacks 8.x options with CCIP, and the YA-10A would be the perfect plane to fill that gap. It would be pretty slow at its BR, however its powerful gun and impressive bomb load would more than make up for it.
Sources:
Spoiler
Everything regarding vehicle history comes from the A-10 Wiki.
Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II - Wikipedia
Everything regarding specifications comes from here.
Defense Technical Information Center
Lastly, Here’s the rest of the YA-10A photos I have.
Welp, seems like that’s it for this suggestion! pwease vote yes >.<
