20 Things the A-10 Was Never Supposed to Survive But Did Anyway
Documented incidents, design features, and institutional battles that the A-10 Thunderbolt II was never expected to endure.
Defense Analysis Editor
Ryan Caldwell writes about military decision-making, failed programs, and the tradeoffs behind major defense choices. His work is focused on understanding why systems succeed or fail beyond headlines, promises, and initial expectations.
Documented incidents, design features, and institutional battles that the A-10 Thunderbolt II was never expected to endure.
Specialized military roles that sound invented but exist for very practical operational reasons.
Every regulation has a backstory. These 23 rules trace directly to specific incidents.
From wrong turns to unlocked gates - real mistakes that shaped the course of history.
From inflatable tanks to cat spies, this is verified military history that sounds like fiction.
Laser weapons, robot dogs, see-through helmets - technologies that seemed impossible are now routine military equipment.
From pigeon-guided missiles to weaponized bats.
Decisions that shaped modern military power across history.