While ships were the preferred method of deployment overseas for centuries, the introduction of jets gave rise to a bigger and faster form of travel in the 1960s. One great example is the Boeing 747, which flew for the first time in 1969. Then, enter Lockheed. CL-1201 Proposal Lockheed took inspiration from the 747 and […] More
The United States became the first nation to have a fifth-generation fighter in its war arsenal when the F-22 Raptor first made its maiden flight on September 1997. Unwilling to be outdone by the West, China soon unveiled its own fifth-generation warplane, the mightily impressive Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon. In fact, it was so impressive […] More
During the 1980s NASA built the High Angle-of-Attack Technology Program or HATP. It chose the F-18 Hornet to be used in the program. However, throughout the years, it was severely cannibalized for parts, so mangled that the Navy thought it will never fly again. Still, engineers remembered it as a legendary High Angle-of-Attack Research Vehicle, […] More
The F/A-18E/F was developed as the US Military’s first all-weather fighter and attack aircraft. It could take on traditional strike applications, including interdiction and close air without compromising its fighter capabilities. Multi-Role Aircraft In 1999, the plane entered service with the US Navy as a replacement for the F-14 Tomcat. It was highly capable in […] More
On July 30th, 1943, a B-17 named Tondelayo is under attack, and in the back is tail gunner Michael L. Arooth. He’s ready as German Me 109s and Fw 190s come in to attack. Relentless Mike fires away at the mass German fighters. The Germans were relentless. Navigator Elmer Bediner, later on, said, “I fired […] More
This F-15 had perhaps the most diverse range of duties of any F-15 ever built. It rolled out the shop in 1973 as the first two-seat variant of the Eagle and the sixth-ever F-15 built by McDonnell Douglas. The aircraft would later serve as a trainer, a test bed for the F-15E Strike Eagle, and […] More
Just last year, South Korea announced the maiden flight of their newest fighter jet – the KF-21 Boramae. With still three more years before its planned introduction to service, here are five things we know about the KF-21. 1. Single-seater that is larger than most fighters According to Korea Aerospace Industries, the KF-21 has a […] More
The Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star also known as T-Bird is an American subsonic jet trainer. It was the first jet fighter used operationally by the US Army Air Force. However, some foreign nations would eventually use this seemingly harmless training plane for dark purposes. Its guns would eventually be turned against the US forces in […] More
Self-sealing fuel tanks are what the Allies and Axis powers adopted to decrease the vulnerability of their aircraft. In fact, according to a 1948 declassified report, Effectiveness of Incendiary Ammunition Against Aircraft Fuel Tanks, one of the most economical means of destroying enemy aircraft is by setting the enemy’s fuel tank on fire or fuel […] More
The F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, highly maneuverable, and tactical fighter and has been the backbone of the US Air Force in one of the most potent aerial combat platforms in the world. The Silent Eagle was to bridge the gap between the traditional 4th generation fighter designs and stealth. History The new F-15 is […] More
The F-111 wasn’t like just any other aircraft. It was ordered by Robert McNamara himself to build a plane that could fit roles requested by the Navy and Air Force. Built as a fighter, bomber, and interceptor, the plane pioneered the concept of terrain-following radar, variable-sweep wings, and afterburning turbofan engines that are unique for […] More
Why is the Tupolev Tu-95, NATO reporting name “Bear,” a 1950’s aircraft, still being used up until the present day, and even upgraded to year 2040? In Service for the Last 70 Years The Tu-95 has continued to operate in the Russian Air Force. One of the reasons for this plane’s longevity was its suitability […] More
