Thunderbolts receive wing modification

Aircraft mechanics wheel away the wings of an A-10 Thunderbolt II that has been sitting in the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group "Boneyard" at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. The wings were removed December 17, 2009, to undergo strengthening modifications as part of an A-10 wing upgrade that will increase the service life of the aircraft another 8,000 hours in the air. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III) Hi-res

Note: That's an absolute top picture. Very rare and very informative.

by Randy Roughton
Defense Media Activity--San Antonio

12/22/2009 - DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, ARIZ. (AFNS) -- The A-10 Thunderbolt II will continue flying close-ground-support missions for the next two decades because of a reinforcement process wing replacement specialists call "Hog Up."

The phrase originated about a decade ago during an upgrade of the aircraft's avionics system, partially because of the A-10's "Warthog" nickname. Specialists in the 309th Maintenance Wing's Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and Hill Air Force Base, Utah, install steel straps and stronger fittings to the wings that give the A-10 an additional 8,000 flying hours and extend the life of the aircraft for another 20 years, said Dave Roe, a 309th AMARG structural engineer.

"The modifications we're giving the wing will double its service life and allow it to carry the additional load the wings are expected to carry," Mr. Roe said. "By putting on these additional straps, we're basically beefing up the structure."

The A-10 is a twin-engine jet aircraft designed for close-air support of ground forces. Its main use is for ground attack against tanks, armored vehicles and installations. The aircraft flies with a range of 800 miles and with high endurance and maneuverability at low speeds and altitudes that allow accurate targeting and weapon delivery.

"Nothing else in our inventory can do the job the A-10 can do, especially in close-ground support," Mr. Roe said. "It also has a long loiter time over friendlies or over the target if necessary."

The reinforcements are intended to keep the A-10 fleet flying until the aircraft receives new wings through a contract awarded to Boeing in 2007. The contract calls for 242 new wings for installment on the thin-skinned A-10 airframes by 2011. About 100 A-10 airframes won't need new wings because they were built with a stronger "thick-skin" structure in the 1980s. Thick-skinned A-10s were rated for 16,000 flying hours, which should keep them flying until about 2030. The original A-10s were rated for 8,000 hours, but were extended with depot repairs in the 1990s. The new wings should also keep the original A-10s flying through the next 20 years.

"This is an interim fix to keep the A-10s flying while the new wings are being built," said Daryl Neel, the 309th AMARG center wing shop supervisor.



Aircraft mechanics with the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, work on upgrades to the wings of A-10 Thunderbolt IIs December 17, 2009. A-10s are undergoing a wing strengthening modification, affectionately called the "Hog Up," which will make the wings of the tank killer thicker and stronger while increasing the service life of the aircraft another 8,000 hours in the air. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III) Hi-res



Rory Bisby observes David Montano as he works inside an A-10 Thunderbolt II outer wing December 17, 2009. A-10s are undergoing a wing upgrade at the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. The upgrade process, affectionately called the "Hog Up," will make the wings of the tank killer thicker and stronger while increasing the service life of the aircraft another 8,000 hours in the air. Mr. Bisby and Mr. Montano are aircraft structural mechanics at the 309th AMARG. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III) Hi-res

Comment: I like this unique T-Shirt of Lockheed Martin's Hog Up Field Team. Any chance to get such a piece in XL or L? If yes, I would be very happy.



Eric Pedersen inspects a rib of an A-10 Thunderbolt II inner wing December 17, 2009, after flattening the rivets. Mr. Pederson is an aircraft structural mechanic at the 309th AMARG. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III) Hi-res



David Montano grinds down the inner web of an A-10 Thunderbolt II wing December 17, 2009. Mr. Montano is an aircraft structural mechanic at the 309th AMARG. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III) Hi-res

Source

Please note: Not included in this news story's pictures are the following two additional shots, also released on USAF's Media Gallery:



Newly modified A-10 Thunderbolt II wings await installation December 17, 2009, at the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group facility at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III) Hi-res



Steve Cook works on the inner web of an A-10 Thunderbolt II wing December 17, 2009. Mr. Cook is an aircraft structural mechanic at the 309th AMARG. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III) Hi-res