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Which targets are ground-attack aircraft designed to strike?

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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.”

Ground-attack aircraft are specifically designed to provide support to ground troops by targeting enemy forces and infrastructure. Their primary targets include:

Enemy ground forces: This includes infantry and troop columns.1
Armored vehicles: A core mission for these aircraft, particularly tanks, has been to destroy armored formations.1
Installations: They are tasked with striking various military facilities and ground-based infrastructure.1

To engage these targets, ground-attack aircraft are engineered to fly at low altitudes, allowing them to perform strafing runs and low-level bombing attacks. While they are generally slower and less maneuverable than air-combat fighters, they are equipped with a diverse array of weaponry—such as automatic cannons, machine guns, rockets, guided missiles, and bombs—to effectively neutralize threats on the battlefield. Historically, these aircraft have also been designed with enhanced survivability features, such as armored cockpits, to withstand ground fire during close-range engagements.12