Close Air Support (Greenhill Military Manuals)

This handy and informative new manual details many of the world's principal combat aeroplanes and helicopters used for close air support. It includes a wide range of aircraft, from the purpose-designed tank-busters such as the Fairchild A-10A Thunderbolt II and Sukhoi Su25, to stealth fighters intended to knock out high-priority targets. Close air support is one of the most exacting tasks for combat aircraft and their crews. They have to provide devastating air power in direct support of ground operations whilst also requiring great accuracy to prevent collateral damage to civilian areas and friendly forces. This requires highly specialized airplanes and helicopters armed with 'smart' weapons able to pinpoint targets that have been laser illuminated or 'locked-on' using other guidance methods. This fully illustrated handbook presents a reliable guide, with technical specifications, of such specialized aircraft in use with fighting forces today.