The Hotas Warthog The Hotas Warthog joystick is the result of an intense collaboration between Thrustmaster's development teams and members of the simmer community. Exchanges and studies were carried out constantly throughout the product's development phase, in order to create a joystick which meets the most specific and precise requirements of the experts. The result is a replica set of the joystick, dual throttle system and dual throttle control panel of the U.S. Air Force A-10C attack aircraft.
Weighing in at more than 6.5kg and using metal for the joystick, throttle handles and bases, the Hotas Warthog joystick is physically imposing. When you take into account the 55 fully programmable action buttons and 2 four-direction hat switches, each with a built-in push button (this is the first joystick in the world to incorporate such a feature), it becomes clear that the Hotas Warthog is in a class of its own, best described in terms of superlatives.
The joystick features 19 action buttons, along with a “Point Of View” hat. |
The Joystick: The joystick features 19 action buttons, along with a “Point Of View” hat. It provides extreme precision, thanks to the H.E.A.R.T HallEffect AccuRate Technology magnetic sensor system it employs: 16-bit precision (65536 x 65536 values), with no gimbals (cardan joints). What's more, pressing on the joystick's buttons and triggers requires pressure identical to that required in an actual airplane – a true first in the world of joysticks.
Particular attention has been paid to freedom of use for simmers, with the joystick's handle being detachable (so that it can also be used on the base of the Hotas Cougar joystick, if the user wishes), and its base being detachable as well (allowing users to install the joystick in a cockpit).
Innovative new H.E.A.R.T HallEffect AccuRate Technology: - 3D magnetic sensors (Hall Effect) on the stick: enjoy surgical precision that stays razor-sharp over time.
- 16-bit resolution (65536 x 65536 values).
- 5 coil spring system: firm, linear and fluid tension, with no dead zones.
Realistic Pressure on Buttons and Trigger. | | New detachable handle, crafted entirely of metal: - New replica shape.
- Compatible with Hotas Cougar handle (and vice-versa).
- Detachable metal plate for desk- or cockpit-style use.
- New, realistic pressure on buttons and trigger.
- USB connection with upgradeable firmware.
- Super-stable, weighted base (over 3kg).
19 action buttons in total + one 8-way “point of view” hat: - 1 x 8-way “point of view” hat.
- 2 x 8-way hats.
- 1 x 4-way hat with push button.
- 1 x metal dual trigger.
- 2 x push buttons.
- 2 x pinkie push buttons.
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Realistic Pressure on Buttons and Switches. |
The Throttle: The throttle component has also been very carefully designed, with a dual throttle system allowing for independent control of 2 motors: a locking system lets the user either attaches the 2 throttles together, or else keeps them independent of one another. The magnetic sensor technology used for the throttles (14-bit resolution, with 16384 values on each throttle) provides unrivaled precision.
Switching to the Idle and Afterburner detents is carried out via a Pull and Push system, for even greater realism. The Afterburner detent is disengageable, allowing users to perfectly adapt the throttle control to the type of airplane they are piloting. The throttles feature a total of 17 action buttons, a “Point Of View” hat and a “mouse hat / slew control”.
Realistic Idle detent with “Pull and Push” System. | | Innovative New H.E.A.R.T HallEffect AccuRate Technology: - 3D magnetic sensors (Hall Effect) on the 2 throttles: enjoy surgical precision that stays razor-sharp over time.
- 14-bit resolution (16384 values) on each throttle.
Dual throttles, featuring: - Metal hand rest.
- Locking system.
- Adjustable friction system: firm, linear and fluid tension, with no dead zones.
- Realistic IDLE detent with “Pull and Push” system.
- Realistic and disengageable AFTERBURNER detent with “Pull and Push” system.
- Realistic pressure on buttons and switches.
- USB connection with upgradeable firmware.
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17 action buttons in total + 1 mouse hat with push button + one 8-way “point of view” hat: - 1 x mouse hat with push button and 3D magnetic sensor (Hall Effect).
- 1 x 8-way hat.
- 1 x 4-way hat with push button.
- 1 x push button.
- 1 x 3-position switch (2 momentary + 1 permanent).
- 2 x 3-position switches (3 permanent).
- 1 x 3-position switch (1 momentary + 2 permanent).
The Control Panel: The product's final mechanical component, the control panel, provides an extensive number and variety of controls. It includes a friction wheel, allowing users to manually adjust the resistance of the throttles according to their own taste. It also features backlighting for functions, which users will certainly appreciate for night flights; the 5 programmable LEDs are also a plus for use in dark or low-light conditions.
15 action buttons in total + 1 TRIM wheel: |
The base includes a “trim wheel” and 15 action buttons, including numerous push buttons with resistance identical to that on a real airplane and industrial metal switches (2 or 3 positions) with highly realistic pressure.
- Weighted base (over 3kg) incorporated underneath the throttles.
- Backlit functions.
- 5 programmable LEDs.
- Realistic pressure on buttons and switches.
15 action buttons in total + 1 TRIM wheel: - 1 x TRIM wheel.
- 2 x push buttons.
- 5 x 2-position switches (2 permanent).
- 2 x 3-position switches (1 momentary + 2 permanent).
- 2 x 3-position switches (3 permanent).
Innovative, high-performance software: The Hotas Warthog joystick's deadly weapon is known as T.A.R.G.E.T (Thrustmaster Advanced pRogramming Graphical EdiTor). T.A.R.G.E.T is a software suite allowing users to test, configure and program Thrustmaster controllers, chief among them being the all-new Hotas Warthog, but also the MFD Cougar, the Hotas Cougar and the T.16000M.
T.A.R.G.E.T lets users create programming configurations which are either more or less complex, depending on the user's taste, simply by using their mouse and the Drag and Drop principle. Three different programming levels are available: “Basic”, to get started; “Advanced”, to employ more advanced functions; and finally “Script”, to harness the full power of the software. It should also be noted that in this software suite, the standard Script language has been totally rewritten to provide more flexibility, new functions and virtually unlimited possibilities.
T.A.R.G.E.T is more than an interface: it's also a powerful software application capable of simulating virtual devices such as a keyboard, joystick, mouse, and so on, in order to simulate all of the actions required for these devices' use. These actions are measured on the axes and buttons of the physical controllers, but sent to software applications via a virtual controller.
In this way, T.A.R.G.E.T allows for total interaction between different Thrustmaster USB controllers, with simplified configurations in simulators, and the use of a single preset for all controllers, rather than having to use as many different presets as controllers. Finally – and this is a definite advantage as well – T.A.R.G.E.T includes built-in presets for well-known games (both recent and older titles), and lets users create new presets too.
Magazine Reviews:

'The build quality and attention to detail is the best we have seen in a flight control system' (PC Pilot)