為什麼A-10「疣豬」攻擊機是完全無敵的：英語精讀講義

November 1983,

1983年11月，

Soviet T-74s roll across the Fulda Gap into West Germany. 文化背景

蘇聯T-74戰車穿越富爾達缺口，駛入西德。

The West German army is retreating and nothing seems to be able to stop the full might of Warsaw Pact's tank brigades. 文化背景

西德軍隊節節敗退，似乎沒有任何力量能擋住華沙公約組織戰車旅的全面攻勢。

Suddenly, the sky is filled with the roar of jet engines

突然，噴射引擎的轟鳴響徹天空

and the buzz of a 30-mm Gatling gun

還夾雜著30公釐加特林機砲的嗡鳴聲，

as the A-10 Warthog lays waste to the almost unstoppable T-74s. 慣用語

A-10「疣豬」攻擊機將幾乎勢不可擋的T-74戰車摧毀殆盡。

What if there was a virtually invincible plane 文法

假如有一款幾乎所向無敵的飛機，

that also could decimate tanks, armored vehicles, and troops in a single flyby?

還能在一次低空掠過中重創戰車、裝甲車輛和部隊，會怎麼樣？

What if pigs could fly? 慣用語

假如豬也會飛呢？

Well, there is a pig that flies.

其實，真的有一頭會飛的「豬」。

Technically, it's known as a Warthog,

嚴格來說，它叫作「疣豬」，

and it's one of the most powerful planes in the United States military arsenal.

是美國軍用武器庫中威力最強大的飛機之一。

Officially called the A-10 Thunderbolt, 表達脈絡

它的正式名稱是A-10「雷霆」攻擊機，

the A-10 Thunderbolt is also known as the Tank Buster,

A-10「雷霆」又有「戰車殺手」之稱，

an almost invincible plane designed to destroy ground targets with exceptional precision.

是一款專為極度精準地摧毀地面目標而設計、幾乎堅不可摧的飛機。

The A-10 Thunderbolt is considered a flying gun 慣用語

A-10「雷霆」被視為一門會飛的砲，

and is one of those planes that

它就是這樣一款飛機：

when you need it, you want it,

需要時，你會想要它；

and when you don't need it,

不需要時，

you still wish you had it. 文法

你還是會希望手上有它。

The plane most feared by tankers around the world has been in operation for decades 文法

這款讓全球戰車兵最為畏懼的飛機已服役數十年，

and is the most survivable versatile aircraft to take to the sky. 慣用語

是翱翔天際的飛機中生存能力最強、用途最廣的一款。

Popular with pilots because of its power and ability to defeat the enemy

飛行員很喜歡它，因為它威力強大，而且能夠擊敗敵人，

through massive destruction and direct fire air-to-ground bombardment.

靠的是大規模摧毀與直接火力的空對地轟炸。

First introduced in 1977 to the United States Air Force,

1977年，它首次進入美國空軍服役，

the A-10 Thunderbolt was put into the role of close air support, or CAS. 文化背景

A-10「雷霆」被賦予近接空中支援，也就是CAS任務。

It's been instrumental in several American conflicts including Grenada, the Balkans, 片語搭配

它在美國參與的多場衝突中發揮關鍵作用，包括格瑞那達與巴爾幹地區，

Afghanistan, Iraq, and the fight against the Islamic State

阿富汗、伊拉克，以及打擊「伊斯蘭國」的戰鬥，

in the Middle East during the War on Terror. 文化背景

這些行動發生在反恐戰爭期間的中東地區。

The mission of the A-10 is to decimate tanks, armored vehicles,

A-10的任務是重創戰車、裝甲車輛，

and installations in support of enemy ops.

以及支援敵方行動的設施。

It's suitable for makeshift environments with short or even improvised landing strips 用詞

它適合在簡陋環境中起降，能使用短小甚至臨時搭建的跑道，

due to its short landing capability and oversized rugged wheels and reinforced landing gear assembly.

這得益於它的短距降落能力、超大堅固機輪和強化起落架組件。

This makes it the premier choice for frontline combat,

這讓它成為前線作戰的首選，

though it still boasts a range of 800 mi. 用詞

同時仍擁有800英里的航程。

The maneuverability of the plane allows it to fly low and slow, 片語搭配

這款飛機機動性出色，可以低空慢速飛行，

being able to effectively target enemies of all shapes and sizes and decimate them.

因此能有效鎖定各種類型和大小的敵方目標並將其摧毀。

Flown by one pilot, the plane is basically an armored tank that flies.

這架飛機只需一名飛行員駕駛，基本上就是一輛會飛的裝甲戰車。

While powerful, the A-10 Thunderbolt is painfully slow, 片語搭配

A-10「雷霆」雖然威力強大，速度卻慢得令人著急，

typically cruising at around 365 kn or about 420 mph in relation to typical commercial passenger jet,

其典型巡航速度約為365節，也就是約每小時420英里；相較之下，一般民航客機

flies at a speed of about 400 to 500 kn or 460 to 575 mph.

的飛行速度約為400至500節，也就是每小時460至575英里。

However, it usually flies most missions at around 300 kn or less,

不過，它執行大多數任務時，通常以約300節或更低的速度飛行，

or around 345 mph or less.

也就是每小時約345英里或更低。

Since the plane is not intended to compete with fighter jets like the F-35, 片語搭配

由於這款飛機並不是為了和F-35之類的戰鬥機一較高下，

speed is not its main purpose.

速度並非它的主要訴求。

The A-10 is a simple airplane made to be flown despite serious damage. 文法

A-10結構簡單，即使嚴重受損也能繼續飛行。

A key feature to increase survivability is the fact that its landing gear is only partly retractable.

為了提高生存能力，它的一項關鍵設計是起落架只能部分收起。

Half of each main wheel protrudes from its fairing in flight,

飛行時，每個主輪都有一半露在整流罩外，

a feature instituted because it allows the wings to remain free of wheel wells, 文法

採用這種設計，是為了讓機翼不必設置輪艙，

making construction simple, straightforward, and strong.

從而讓結構簡單直接又堅固。

It also allows the aircraft to be landed in case of landing gear failure. 片語搭配

即使起落架發生故障，這也能讓飛機安全降落。

The cockpit is also known as the titanium tub 文化背景

駕駛艙也被稱為「鈦合金浴缸」，

and is made with 3.8 cm thick titanium armor plating that surrounds it,

四周包覆著3.8公分厚的鈦合金裝甲板，

which is not forged but instead several plates of titanium bolted together.

它並非一體鍛造，而是由多塊鈦板以螺栓連接而成。

The A-10 also has a huge bulletproof bubble canopy,

A-10還有一個巨大的防彈氣泡式座艙罩，

which gives the pilot an all-around good vision and makes it easy for them to target. 文法

能為飛行員提供良好的全方位視野，方便瞄準目標。

This makes the A-10 a powerful flying armored machine.

這讓A-10成為一部威力強大的空中裝甲機器。

In addition, the A-10's cockpit is equipped with a heads-up display targeting system, 講解

此外，A-10的駕駛艙配有抬頭顯示瞄準系統、

radio communication, and tactical air navigation system.

無線電通訊設備與戰術空中導航系統。

It also carries 11 pylons for external loads including extra fuel, rockets,

它還有11個外掛點，可掛載額外燃油、火箭彈，

and everything it needs to get tank in the sky.

以及變身「空中戰車」所需的一切裝備。

However, the 30-mm GAU-8 Avenger rotary cannon has become the A-10's best known weapon.

不過，30公釐GAU-8「復仇者」旋管機砲才是A-10最知名的武器。

The 30-mm GAU-8 is a hydraulically driven seven-barrel rotary cannon

30公釐GAU-8是一門液壓驅動的七管旋管機砲，

invented to beat tanks and other armored vehicles.

專為擊敗戰車和其他裝甲車輛而研發。

The Thunderbolt's 30-mm gun is one of the most powerful aircraft cannons ever made

「雷霆」的30公釐機砲是史上威力最強的航空機砲之一，

and fires large armor-piercing shells.

能發射大型穿甲彈。

The armor-piercing rounds contain depleted uranium cores, 文化背景

這些穿甲彈內含貧鈾彈芯，

which are extremely dense and thus have enormous impact power.

其密度極高，因此撞擊威力非常驚人。

The rounds are also self-sharpening,

彈藥還具有自銳性，

meaning the projectile doesn't flatten as it pierces armor 文法

也就是說，彈丸穿透裝甲時不會被壓扁，

but fractures and remains relatively pointed,

而是會碎裂並維持相對尖銳的形狀，

causing maximum damage upon impact.

從而在撞擊時造成最大程度的破壞。

The A-10's 30-mm gun is fired in bursts of roughly 60 to 65 rounds per second 片語搭配

A-10的30公釐機砲以每秒約60至65發的射速進行點射，

that obliterates anything it hits.

足以徹底摧毀任何被它擊中的東西。

A popular myth is that the firing of the gun results in recoil so severe 表達脈絡

有一種廣為流傳的說法稱，這門砲開火時後座力極強，

that it's impossible to stall the airplane.

強到飛機根本不可能失速。

It is true that the gun's recoil is indeed strong enough

這門砲的後座力確實大得驚人，

that had the GAU-8 been installed off-center, 文法

如果GAU-8沒有安裝在機身正中央，

the resulting yaw would cause the firing pattern of the gun to become erratic rather than precise.

由此產生的偏航會讓砲彈散布變得飄忽不定，而非精準集中。

For this reason, the GAU-8 rotating barrel cannon is mounted exactly on the A-10 centerline, 表達脈絡

因此，GAU-8旋管機砲被精確安裝在A-10的中軸線上，

resulting in the plane's unique stance

也造就了這架飛機獨特的配置：

with its nose gear strut mounted to ensure it clears the barrel.

它的前起落架支柱採偏置安裝，以確保避開砲管。

A-10 enthusiasts argue that the Warthog is cheap to fly,

A-10愛好者認為，「疣豬」的飛行成本低，

is extremely survivable, and can put steel on target reliably. 慣用語

生存能力極強，還能可靠地把火力送到目標上。

An A-10 can put ordnance as close as 20 ft away from ground troops without putting them in danger. 文法

A-10能讓彈藥落在距離地面部隊僅20英尺的位置，而不危及他們。

The plane has electronic guidance and laser support.

這款飛機擁有電子導引和雷射輔助系統。

Its armament includes surface-to-air missiles as well as warheads of different kinds

它的武器包括地對空飛彈以及各種彈頭，

including Sidewinder missiles to take out enemy choppers. 講解

其中還有可擊落敵方直升機的「響尾蛇」飛彈。

Enemy fighters that get past an A-10's enemy counter-air escorts or leakers 片語動詞

突破A-10制空護航機攔截、僥倖漏網的敵方戰鬥機，

may be surprised to find that the A-10 may not be easy prey after all in a dogfight. 講解

可能會驚訝地發現，A-10在空戰中並不是任人宰割的獵物。

The big plane has a much tighter turning radius than most fighters,

這架大型飛機的轉彎半徑比大多數戰鬥機小得多，

allowing it to outrun an enemy and bring its nose toward target faster.

因此能甩開敵機，更快讓機鼻對準目標。

At this point, it's all clear to fire away with Sidewinders.

到了這時，就可以放心發射「響尾蛇」了。

Even its 30-mm cannon has a much greater range than most fighters' 20-mm cannons.

就連它的30公釐機砲，射程也遠超大多數戰鬥機的20公釐機砲。

What makes the A-10 Thunderbolt powerful? 表達脈絡

是什麼讓A-10「雷霆」如此強大？

It's the non-afterburning turbofan engines supplied by General Electric 用詞

答案是奇異公司提供的非後燃式渦輪扇發動機，

that provide over 9,000 lb of thrust.

能產生超過9,000磅的推力。

The location of these engines on the plane allows it to fly

這些引擎在機身上的安裝位置，讓它即使在

even if one engine has been completely destroyed or is not operating. 文法

一具引擎被徹底摧毀或停止運轉時也能繼續飛行。

The positioning also helps protect the engines from sucking up dust and debris 片語動詞

這種配置還能防止引擎吸入灰塵和碎屑，

when flying off improvised airfields.

尤其是在臨時機場起飛時。

The A-10 Thunderbolt also has some of the best visibility to aid with both precision-guided and unguided munitions

在使用精準導引和非導引彈藥時，A-10「雷霆」所具備的視野

than any other plane in the United States military.

也優於美國軍方幾乎任何其他飛機。

It can do way more than any plane 用詞

它能做到遠超其他飛機的事情，

and it only needs one pilot to fly.

而且只需要一名飛行員就能駕駛。

In addition, the A-10 Thunderbolt has redundant primary structural sections,

此外，A-10「雷霆」的主要結構區段採用了備援設計，

which makes it much more survivable than any other aircraft in any military's arsenal.

因此生存能力遠勝任何軍隊武器庫中的其他飛機。

That means that if it takes direct hits from armor-piercing and high-explosive projectiles, 講解

這代表即使它被穿甲彈與高爆彈直接命中，

it'll still be able to fly.

依然能夠繼續飛行。

The Tank Buster features redundant control systems on opposite sides of the plane

「戰車殺手」在機身兩側分別設有備援操縱系統，

and self-healing fuel tanks that can automatically plug punctures. 用詞

還配備能自動封住破口的自封式油箱。

It's basically a tank that flies,

它說到底就是一輛會飛的戰車，

and who wouldn't want that in the air? 語氣意圖

誰不想讓這種東西飛在天上呢？

Well, the enemy.

當然，敵人不想。

The Warthog is a mission-capable machine that has changed modern warfare, 文法

「疣豬」是一部能勝任任務的戰爭機器，它改變了現代戰爭，

saved countless lives, and become feared by the enemies of the US.

拯救了無數生命，也成為美國敵人聞之色變的存在。

The A-10 can achieve air superiority, bomb anything,

A-10能奪取制空權、轟炸任何目標，

and provide close air support for ground troops,

還能為地面部隊提供近接空中支援，

making it a multi-mission aircraft that's almost totally invincible. 文法

是多任務飛機中幾乎無敵的存在。

So now you know pigs can fly, and that pig is the A-10 Warthog. 表達脈絡

所以現在你知道豬真的會飛了，而這頭「豬」就是A-10「疣豬」。

Now go check out why the F-22 Raptor still reigns supreme,

接下來去看看F-22「猛禽」為何至今仍穩坐王者寶座，

or click this other video instead.

或是改點開另一部影片吧。