How does titanium armor protect the pilot of an A-10 Thunderbolt II?

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military aircraft Tupolev Tu-22M, a Russian variable-wing supersonic jet bomber first flown in 1969. It was designed for potential use in war against the NATO countries, where it was known by the designation “Backfire.”

The A-10 Thunderbolt II, often referred to as the "Warthog," protects its pilot through a specialized cockpit design known as a titanium "bathtub." This armored enclosure is constructed from titanium, a metal valued for its high strength-to-weight ratio and durability.123

By surrounding the pilot with this protective shell, the aircraft is shielded from ground fire during low-level close-support missions. This armor, combined with the plane's redundant structural elements and flight systems, makes the A-10 one of the most survivable military aircraft ever built.1