A-10C Thunderbolt II

The C-variant is being developed to provide precision engagement capability to the older A-10A close air support/ground attack aircraft. The fully digital A-10C Thunderbolt II upgraded with precision engagement technology based on laser and GPS can use smart guided weapons such as Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and Wind Corrected Munitions Dispensers (WCMD), incapable in the A-model. The first A-10C took to the skies in January 2005 at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The A-10C aircraft has suffered major modifications through the addition of targeting pods and data link-related infrastructure. The software and cockpit hardware is different from previous models as well. Despite in recent years the A-10 was threaten with full fleet withdrawal, A-10C can extend the service life of the 30-year-old aircraft well into the 21st century. The C-model upgrade program is valued at $300 million and is the result of excellent results harvested by A-10s during recent conflicts. The exact number of A-10Cs to be procured by the US Air Force has not been disclosed but it could be approximately 200 according to senior sources. In March 2005, the US Air Force officially launched the precision engagement capability program for the entire A/OA-10 fleet. Lockheed-Martin was awarded a $38 million contract for 72 precision engagement upgrade kits with a total estimated value of $168 million for 356 kits over the five years of the program. Precision engagement capability enables A-10 to use JDAMs and WCMDs as well as advanced targeting pods, which means adding the benefits of digital technology to an aging aircraft. In August 2006 the US Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a $48 million contract for the supply of 107 Precision Engagement (PE) modification kits for the A-10 close air support aircraft. A-10A after being upgraded with PE kits becomes the multi-mission aircraft A-10C with precision weapons and all-weather capabilities. In February 2014, the Pentagon due to budget cuts decided to put an end to the A-10 aircraft program. As of September 2016, the US Air Force expects to keep the A-10 flying until 2028.

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