Can an A10 Pierce Through an AT-AT?

As a fan of both military tech and Star Wars, you’ve probably wondered how our modern military equipment would stand up to the might of the Empire.

A classic debate is whether an A-10 Warthog, with its legendary GAU-8 Avenger 30mm Gatling gun, could actually pierce through an AT-AT (All Terrain Armored Transport).

The AT-AT is one of the most intimidating pieces of military hardware in the Star Wars universe, towering over battlefields with its heavy armor.

But could the A-10’s weaponry do any serious damage to it? Let’s get into the details.

Understanding AT-AT Armor

To get a sense of how an A-10 would fare, we first need to look at the AT-AT itself.

In Star Wars lore, there are several variants of AT-ATs, ranging from the classic Galactic Civil War version to the newer models used by the First Order.

While Star Wars Canon doesn’t specify what most of the AT-AT’s armor is made of, the Legends material tells us that the footpads of the AT-AT are made of durasteel, one of the strongest metals in the Star Wars universe.

For the sake of this discussion, we’ll assume that the entire body of the AT-AT is made of durasteel, even though it’s more likely that only certain parts are and the AT-AT’s body is likely to be made of weaker materials.

Durasteel is tough, but interestingly, it’s noted to be weaker than titanium, a metal we start to use more regularly on Earth in armored vehicles.

This raises an important question: if durasteel is described as blast and kinetic damage impervious, how would it stand up to modern kinetic rounds?

Durasteel can defend against blasters and other normal kinetic weapons, but against kinetic force like the armor-piercing rounds fired from an A-10, there’s reason to believe the AT-AT’s defenses might not hold up as well.

The A-10 Warthog: A Tank Buster

Now let’s look at what the A-10 brings to the table. The A-10 Thunderbolt II, affectionately known as the “Warthog,” was designed in the 1970s specifically for close air support (CAS) missions.

It’s famous for its ability to destroy tanks and other heavily armored targets using its 30mm GAU-8 Avenger Gatling gun.

Here’s what makes the A-10 a deadly threat to armor:

• GAU-8 Avenger: This seven-barrel autocannon fires 30mm rounds at a rate of up to 3,900 rounds per minute. That’s more than enough to rain destruction on any target in its sights. The A-10 carries specialized ammo that includes:
  • PGU-14/B Depleted Uranium (DU) rounds, which are incredibly effective at punching through thick armor.
  • PGU-13/B Armor Piercing Incendiary (API) rounds, designed to chew through armored vehicles.

The A-10’s firepower is designed to obliterate tanks, and tanks are often made of titanium-reinforced armor – a material that durasteel is said to be weaker than.

So, if the A-10 can tear through titanium, it stands to reason that its rounds could shred durasteel as well.

Could the A-10 Pierce an AT-AT?

So, would the A-10’s gun be enough to take down an AT-AT? Probably especially if we consider a few key factors.

1. Targeting Weak Spots: An AT-AT is built like a fortress, but it still has weak spots. The neck, where the head connects to the body, is a known vulnerability, as are the joints in its legs. Just like how the Rebel Alliance took down AT-ATs by targeting the legs with tow cables, an A-10 could focus its fire on these weaker areas.
2. Armor Vulnerability: Durasteel is tough, but kinetic weapons are known to do more damage than energy weapons in Star Wars lore. The AT-AT’s armor is described as blast impervious, but it’s likely more designed to withstand laser cannons and blasters. Against kinetic energy rounds, like the A-10’s depleted uranium and armor-piercing shells, the armor would likely take significant damage—especially with sustained fire. Enough rounds hitting the same spot could cause serious structural damage.
3. Sheer Firepower: The A-10 can fire hundreds of 30mm rounds in a matter of seconds, essentially turning the battlefield into a metal storm. Even though the AT-AT is enormous, it’s not invulnerable. With enough rounds slamming into it, something is bound to give. The A-10’s GAU-8 fires rounds that generate incredible force, up to 150,000 foot-pounds per shot. Over time, this kind of sustained kinetic force could weaken even the most robust armor.
4. Missiles and Bombs: While the GAU-8 cannon gets all the attention, the A-10 also carries missiles and bombs designed to destroy armored targets. The AGM-65 Maverick missile, for example, is made for taking out tanks, and its explosive force could cause significant damage to an AT-AT. If the cannon alone doesn’t do the trick, a few well-placed missiles or bombs would certainly make an impact.

A-10 vs AT-AT: The Verdict

So, can the A-10 pierce through an AT-AT (or durasteel as we’ve assumed)? Yes, but it wouldn’t be easy.

The A-10’s GAU-8 Avenger cannon could cause severe damage to the AT-AT, especially if it targets weak points like the neck or joints.

However, a sustained attack would be needed to bring down such a massive walker.

While the AT-AT’s armor is designed to resist energy weapons, it likely wouldn’t fare as well against the A-10’s armor-piercing kinetic rounds.

On top of that, the A-10’s missiles and bombs give it even more destructive potential, ensuring that even if the cannon struggled, the rest of the Warthog’s arsenal could finish the job.

But remember, we’re assuming the AT-AT is fully made of durasteel, which is already weaker than titanium – yet in reality, it’s more likely that only parts of the AT-AT (like the footpads) are durasteel, with other areas potentially even weaker.

This means the chance an A-10 could pierce through an AT-AT is much higher than what we’re considering here.

In the end, the A-10 stands as one of the few modern weapons that could realistically challenge an AT-AT on the battlefield.