In service since , it is named after the Republic P Thunderbolt , but is commonly referred to as the " Warthog " or simply " Hog ". Air Force. The A was intended to improve on the performance and firepower of the Douglas A-1 Skyraider. The airframe was designed for durability, with measures such as 1, pounds kg of titanium armor to protect the cockpit and aircraft systems, enabling it to absorb damage and continue flying. It served in the Gulf War Operation Desert Storm , the American-led intervention against Iraq 's invasion of Kuwait , where the aircraft distinguished itself.
The AA single-seat variant was the only version produced, though one pre-production airframe was modified into the YAB twin-seat prototype to test an all-weather night-capable version.
In , a program was started to upgrade the remaining AA aircraft to the AC configuration, with modern avionics for use with precision weaponry. The U. The development of conventionally armed attack aircraft in the United States stagnated after World War II, [ 6 ] as design efforts for tactical aircraft focused on the delivery of nuclear weapons using high-speed designs such as the McDonnell F Voodoo and Republic F Thunderchief.
A capable aircraft for its era, with a relatively large payload and long loiter time, the propeller-driven design had become relatively slow, vulnerable, particularly to ground fire, and incapable of providing adequate firepower. Air Force and Navy lost some A-1s in action in Vietnam, largely from small-arms fire.
The lack of modern conventional attack capability prompted calls for a specialized attack aircraft. While the Phantom went on to be one of the most successful fighter designs of the s and proved to be a capable fighter-bomber, its short loiter time was a major problem, as was its poor low-speed performance, albeit to a lesser extent. After a broad review of its tactical force structure, the USAF decided to adopt a low-cost aircraft to supplement the F-4 and F It first focused on the Northrop F-5 , which had air-to-air capability.
