"The jet will also have its nose-mounted, 30-millimeter cannon removed, opening up more space for scientific instruments."

http://blog.ametsoc.org/uncategorized/plane-has-combative-at...

Given that it's an A-10, it might be more accurate to say that the cannon is having its aircraft removed.

I'd love to have been present at the first conversation where that became a plan. "Well, what's tougher than the plane we've already got? Wait.... What's the toughest plane in the sky? An A-10? Right. Who do we have to talk with to get one of them?"

I'm a surprised that the plan isn't to use a UAV. Small things can be really tough, are subject to smaller gradient-driven forces, and, if the airframe comes apart, a brave pilot won't have to die.

Thundercloud, not Thunderbolt. There's a big difference.