The A-10 is of very strong construction,able to absorb and survive a great deal of battel damage; its large tubofan engines are high-mounted with the exhausts partially shielded from infra-red detection by large tailplane and fin aurface, while the pilot sits in an armoured "bath tub" construced of titanium- The broad straight wings and tail surfaces are fitted with large control surfaces for manoeuvrability, the design allowing 11 external stores stations under the wings and fuselage to carry a wide variety of ordnance.