Which are the most effective ground attack aircraft? Technical analysis, concrete examples, and comparison of the major aircraft.

Ground attack is one of the most demanding roles for a combat aircraft. It involves the destruction or neutralization of ground targets at short or medium range, often in a threat-dense environment. To be successful, a ground attack aircraft must combine resistance to enemy fire, firing accuracy, carrying capacity, and tactical autonomy. Unlike interception or air superiority missions, these missions are carried out at low altitude, sometimes just a few dozen meters above the ground, in direct coordination with ground troops.

This type of combat involves a high cognitive load for the pilot, high-precision targeting systems, and a airframe designed to withstand small-caliber fire and short-range surface-to-air missiles. Since the 1970s, several aircraft have been designed specifically for this role, such as the A-10 Thunderbolt II and the Su-25 Frogfoot. Other multi-role aircraft, such as the Rafale and the F-16, have been adapted with laser designation pods and smart air-to-ground missiles to carry out this type of operation.

A precise tactical role: what ground attack requires

The effectiveness of a ground attack aircraft depends on several parameters. The first is its resistance to enemy fire. Aircraft operating at low altitudes are exposed to short-range anti-aircraft systems (MANPADS, heavy machine guns, anti-aircraft artillery). An armored airframe, passive infrared detection systems, and electronic countermeasures are therefore essential.

Second, an effective attack aircraft must have high targeting accuracy. This requirement is met by the use of optronic pods (laser designators, infrared sensors) coupled with guided munitions. Modern systems, such as the Sniper XR or Damocles, allow mobile targets to be engaged with metric accuracy.

The third key criterion is carrying capacity. A good attack aircraft must be able to carry a wide range of munitions: guided bombs, rockets, air-to-ground missiles, area-effect munitions, and penetrating charges. The A-10 can carry up to 7,200 kg of weapons. The Rafale can carry 9,500 kg, while the Su-25 can carry around 4,400 kg.

Finally, range and endurance enable prolonged support for troops. This requires good endurance, in-flight refueling capabilities, and ease of maintenance in rough terrain. These parameters explain why some aircraft have remained in service for over 40 years.

The A-10 Thunderbolt II: a unique American benchmark

The A-10 Thunderbolt II, nicknamed the “Warthog,” is a unique case in aviation history. Developed by Fairchild Republic in the 1970s to meet the needs of the US Air Force, the A-10 is optimized for attacking armored columns, close fire support, and survival in contested areas.

Its central feature is the GAU-8 Avenger, a 30 mm rotary cannon capable of firing 3,900 rounds per minute, designed to pierce the armor of Soviet tanks. The aircraft is also equipped with 540 kg of titanium armor protecting the cockpit, fuel tanks, and vital controls. It can fly with a single engine, a wing, or part of the tail fin torn off.

The A-10 can carry a wide range of weapons, including GBU-12 bombs, Hydra rockets, and AGM-65 Maverick missiles. It has 11 hardpoints and a range of over 1,000 kilometers with in-flight refueling.

This fighter proved its effectiveness in Iraq in 1991: more than 900 Iraqi tanks were reportedly destroyed by A-10s, according to US reports. It was then used in Afghanistan and Syria, particularly in the fight against ISIS, thanks to its ability to fly slowly and deliver precise fire close to allied troops.

Its longevity is testament to its relevance: despite its age, the A-10 is still in service in 2025, even though its retirement is regularly announced.

The Su-25 Frogfoot: a robust and rugged solution

The Su-25 is the Soviet counterpart to the A-10. Designed in the 1970s by Sukhoi, it was intended for direct support of ground troops. First used in Afghanistan in 1981, the Su-25 demonstrated remarkable resilience, even in extreme weather conditions and on rough terrain.

Its structure is reinforced by a 300 kg armored capsule that protects the pilot. The aircraft can withstand multiple MANPADS missile hits while remaining operational, as observed during the wars in Chechnya and Georgia.

The Su-25 can carry up to 4,400 kg of weapons distributed across 10 hardpoints: unguided bombs, S-8 and S-13 rockets, Kh-25ML missiles, and R-60 air-to-air missiles for self-defense.

More than 1,300 Su-25s have been produced. In 2022, Russia has made intensive use of its Su-25s in Ukraine for artillery suppression, tactical bombing, and close support missions. They have also been widely used by the Ukrainian Air Force, sometimes modified locally with Western pods or GPS sights.

The main advantage of the Su-25 remains its ability to operate from rough terrain at low cost and with minimal maintenance. It is still in service in a dozen countries, from Belarus to Ethiopia, Iraq, and North Korea.

The Rafale and the F-16: multi-role aircraft suitable for ground attack

Modern multi-role aircraft such as the Dassault Rafale and the Lockheed Martin F-16 are not designed exclusively for ground attack. However, they have the onboard electronics, sensors, and precision required to excel in this mission.

The Rafale F3R, for example, can carry up to 9,500 kg of weapons. It uses the Talios pod for laser guidance and Safran’s AASM bombs, and can engage multiple targets simultaneously thanks to its RBE2 AESA radar. In Libya, Mali, and Iraq, the Rafale has carried out high-precision strikes on enemy positions. In 2015, Operation Chammal against Daesh saw dozens of strikes carried out from the Charles-de-Gaulle aircraft carrier.

For its part, the F-16 Block 70/72 is equipped with the Sniper XR pod, JDAM or GBU-39 SDB bombs, and can also launch AGM-154 JSOW air-to-ground missiles. It is used by more than 25 air forces in air-to-ground missions. In Israel, F-16s targeted military infrastructure in Lebanon with low-altitude strikes of millimeter precision.

These aircraft are highly versatile, but their operating costs are higher: between €20,000 and €30,000 per flight hour, compared to around €10,000 for an A-10 or Su-25. They also require a complex logistical environment.

The future: attack drones and specialized light aircraft

The evolution of modern conflicts is pushing states to diversify their ground attack capabilities. Armed drones such as the Bayraktar TB2, MQ-9 Reaper and Shahed-129 are now used to neutralize tactical targets without engaging a pilot.

The Turkish TB2 has been used in Libya, Nagorno-Karabakh and Ukraine with significant results. Its ability to fire MAM-L missiles at armored vehicles or artillery makes it a complementary tool to manned aircraft. However, it is more vulnerable to high-performance anti-aircraft systems.

At the same time, some countries are investing in light attack aircraft such as the Embraer A-29 Super Tucano, which can operate from unprepared runways at an operating cost of less than $1,000 per hour. These aircraft are useful in counterinsurgency contexts.

The future of ground attack will likely rely on a combination of manned and unmanned vehicles to respond to varied environments while reducing costs and human risk.

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