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history

The B-2: A flying wing of wonders

by Till Daisd May 15, 2022

The B-2 was first conceived in the 1970s as a replacement for the aging B-52 and B-1 bombers. The Air Force saw that stealth technology had advanced to the point where it could be incorporated into aircraft design, and they wanted to take advantage of this while it was still emerging. They envisioned a bomber that took full advantage of radar-absorbent material, or RAM, and would have low observability from all angles.

For a project that spanned three decades, the B-2’s development was fairly straightforward. In 1981, Northrop Grumman began developing the aircraft, which would go on to make its first flight in 1989. The total cost for the project came to $44.4 billion and produced 21 aircraft. An additional B-2 was lost in 2008 on an island off Guam during a training mission.
As previously mentioned, the B-2 features a unique flying wing design with no vertical stabilizers or landing gear. To ensure that the craft could land safely without stalling out or spinning uncontrollably when steering with just its rudders (which is done at low speeds while near the ground), an innovative computer system called vectoring in forward flight (VIFF) employs directional thrusters to redirect engine exhaust horizontally when necessary.

The B-2 is a flying wing. Instead of having a conventional shape like the B-17 or an F-15, with two wings and a fuselage, the entire B-2 basically looks like one big wing. The main reason for this design is since there are no areas to disrupt airflow, there are fewer places for radar waves to bounce off of and give away their location. The plane is also made out of composite materials and carbon fiber so that it is lighter than steel and can fly farther. Add in all these factors together—the low observability design, the low reflectivity material—and it adds up to pure stealthiness (or in military parlance: “low observability”).

For the B-2’s testing and deployment, you can expect nothing less than complete secrecy. In fact, for a long time before its first flight on July 17th, 1989 it was kept in a top-secret facility called “The Skunk Works.” The military has used this nickname for certain classified projects since the 1940s. As of July 2019, only twenty B-2s have been built; the United States Air Force expects to keep operating them until at least 2032. While they’re expensive planes—each one cost $2.1 billion in 1997 dollars—they’re also very effective at what they do! When the plane was first tested, it flew right over President George H.W. Bush’s inauguration parade without him or anyone else knowing about it until afterward. The B-2 is so stealthy that test flights are limited to night flights with no electronic monitoring equipment deployed—everything is recorded onboard instead.

The B-2s have flown missions in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Serbia. They’ve also dropped 40 percent of the total ordnance during Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya in 2011. The B-2 is capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear weapons to any destination within its range, thanks to its stealth technology that allows it to evade enemy radar. While it is designed primarily for strategic bombing, the aircraft has been shown to be skilled at precision strikes as well — a skill that greatly increases the plane’s versatility.

In March of 2011, the B-2 flew non-stop from Missouri to Japan and back in an impressive 35 hours — a round trip flight of over 12,000 miles. With such a long reach, why would we need so many planes? The answer lies in the fact that bombers are constantly ready for action and don’t require as much time as fighters or warships when deployed on missions. In addition, since they fly at high altitudes they can be recalled before reaching their target if necessary — something fighters cannot do due to their lower flying speeds. As such bombers make ideal standbys during times when tensions escalate on land or sea between countries like China and Japan where territorial disputes often arise over islands located between them (known collectively as East Asia).

The B-2 appeared on several media.

Movies: the 2007 film Transformers, the 2002 movie Stealth, and the 1996 action film Executive Decision.
Video games: Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012), Earth Defense Force 2025 (2013), and War Thunder (2014).
Books: Wargames have included scenarios with B-2s since the early 1990s, but it wasn’t until 2009 that an actual B-2 game piece was released for official military wargaming use. It is featured in the 2010 tabletop miniature game Wings of War – Planes of Fame Edition.
Comics: The B-2 appears as an enemy vehicle on pages 18–19 of issue #1 of the 2008 comic series World at War: Agents of Atlas by Jeff Parker and Gabriel Hardman; it appears again on pages 6–7 and 12–13 of issue #4 by Parker and Leonard Kirk. It also appears as an enemy vehicle on page 20, panel 1, in issue #1 (August 2010) of Atomics by Frank Barbiere and Jonathan Lau, as well as on page 3; panel 1; chapter 7, “A Cry for Help,” in issue #3 (May 2011). In addition, it appears as one of several aircraft flown into battle against a horde of Orc invaders by a pilot who had been sucked through a time warp from modern-day to medieval times in issue #16 (2011) of Dynamo 5 Sins Of The Father by Jay Faerber and Mahmud Asrar. Finally, it makes its appearance three separate times within issues #5–6 (October 2013) and issues #8–9 (November 2013) in Necessary Evil by Garth Ennis and Colin Wilson; secondarily featuring American forces pursuing Chinese forces that have stolen US stealth technology during the Second Korean War depicted in this series’ context timeline set between 1989 and 1993.

The truth is that the B-2 was never intended to be a squadron leader. That role is reserved for aircraft like the F-15 Eagle, the F-16 Fighting Falcon, or the F/A-18 Hornet. Rather, the B-2 was designed as an incredibly advanced flying wing—one capable of carrying out numerous missions, from strategic bombing to air superiority and even conventional ground attacks. This flexibility has kept the B-2 in service for almost three decades, and will likely keep it around for even more years to come.

The B-2 stealth bomber has been in use since 1997 and is used quite frequently. While the United States Air Force has not provided reports on how often they use the aircraft, there are some estimates that they are actually used as much as they were before 9/11. The aircraft has been able to take out targets such as Osama bin Laden’s compound, which was accomplished in 2011 after a decade-long search. By using the B-2 instead of a commando assault or other method, there was no loss of American life for this mission.

In 2003, the B-2 was planned to make a final operational flight over the skies of the United States, but due to the weather, it was pushed back to 2004. The bomber has since started flying again in 2005. There are scheduled to be no more than 100 of these aircraft created, with active-duty numbers possibly going down to 60 by 2008 at Northrop Grumman’s Air Logistics Center in California. Aside from some minor flaws in aircraft technology and a lack of funding for upgrades and necessary parts for the bills that were needed, this is an extraordinary aircraft that sends chills down one’s spine when viewing its divine tail wings fly across the horizon.

The B-2s are still used for both testings and for missions. They were also redesigned, eliminating one engine and redistributing the weight of the plane. This allowed the wings to be larger than before. However, this also required a redesign of some of the other features on the plane, including the fins and landing gear. And yes, they are used today to drop bombs in war zones all across the world.

May 15, 2022 0 comment

History

The Avro 683 Lancaster Bomber aircraft and its place in history

by Till Daisd May 14, 2022

written by Till Daisd

The Avro Lancaster bomber was the British workhorse of World War II. It was used in many bombing missions and also as a transport aircraft. Lancaster has inspired many people to learn about aviation and inspired generations of children to learn about aviation and other topics through books, games, toys, and models.

You may be familiar with the Lancaster bomber from various media sources, such as TV shows or movies. But did you know that the Avro 683 Lancaster was a British WWII heavy bomber aircraft used extensively in long-range strategic bombing missions? It was a key part of bombing missions in the war, and its name is still highly respected today.

The Avro 683 Lancaster first flew in January 1941 and entered service with RAF Bomber Command in 1942. On March 29th, 1943 it became known as “Lanc” after being christened by Lady Astor (the wife of Waldorf Astor). The Lancaster was first used as part of an operation that had a name that would become associated with the aircraft itself.

Operation Chastise, also known as the Dambusters Raid, is one of the most famous missions in World War II history. It took place on May 16th, 1943, and involved nineteen Lancasters from 617 Squadron dropping bouncing bombs at dams in Germany to cause flooding and wreak havoc on industrial factories there. The name “Dambusters” has since become synonymous with this raid and thus with these bombers themselves; when you hear someone refer to “a Dam Buster” they are talking about one of these planes (or another type of bomber).

In total four dams were targeted during this raid: Moehne Dam near Edersee Lake; Sorpe Dam near Sorpe Lake; Ennepe Dam near Ennepe-Ruhr Canal; Schwelm Dam between Dortmund and Duisburg cities—all within the Ruhr Valley area of Germany. All four were breached successfully but Moehne was damaged so severely by Germans before it could be destroyed that all six boats involved in its destruction were lost along with 20 men from 9 Squadron RAAF who flew them into their target area.

The Lancaster was a prototype aircraft and the first of its kind. The first flight took place on 9 January 1941, with a crew of five. Shortly after takeoff from Woodford Aerodrome, the engine failed and the pilot was forced to make an emergency landing. Unfortunately for them, this particular aircraft had not been fitted with an instrument for measuring oil pressure—a standard feature in later Lancasters and other designs by Rolls-Royce. Without this data available to him, the pilot had no indication that something was wrong until he lost control of his aircraft and it crashed into some woods just outside Woodford Aerodrome at 02:15 on 10 January 1941. All six people on board were killed in what became known as “The Woodford Incident”.

The Lancaster was a workhorse of the war, with its heavy payload and long range. It was one of the key aircraft used in bombing missions against Germany. Today, it is still highly respected by the British public and is often referred to as “The Pride of Britain.”

The Lancaster underwent a series of upgrades over time to combat issues with the plane. The first major upgrade came in the form of the Avro Lincoln bomber, which was developed before and after the Second World War. The Lincoln was made with an improved version of the four-engine configuration used on earlier Lancasters and featured new wings and tail surfaces that increased its speed, range, and maneuverability. This allowed it to be used for long-range bombing missions as well as reconnaissance work during times when enemy planes were active in Britain’s airspace.

The Avro Lancaster was a British Second World War heavy bomber that gained a well-deserved reputation for its night bombing capabilities. It proved to be one of the most successful bombers of the war and was used on many bombing raids against German industrial cities, becoming an icon for the Royal Air Force (RAF). However, it is not just known as an iconic piece of history; it also has a massive following today. It appears in popular culture frequently and even inspired one of Disney’s most famous animated films—Disney/Pixar’s Up! In addition, there are still hundreds of people who own replicas as well as museums dedicated to them around the world including Canada, Australia, and England.

While the Lancaster bomber was in service for many years, the last one was retired from active service in 1960. Since then, it has gained a place as one of history’s greatest aircraft and has been featured in many movies. Museums around the world contain tributes to this aircraft, including one located in Toronto.

The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is located at Hamilton Airport (on Highway 6 between Burlington and Fergus), Ontario, Canada. It was officially opened on May 12th, 1991, and features over 70 aircraft including Avro Anson Mk IIa; de Havilland DH-82 Tiger Moth; Douglas C-47 Dakota/”Skytrain”; Fleet Finch Mk 1 trainer/low-level target tug; Hawker Hurricane Mk I fighter; Hawker Sea Fury FB 11 fighter/bomber; Lockheed P2V7 Neptune patrol bomber/sea search radar platform.

The Lancaster bomber played an important role in the war, but it’s also important to remember that these pilots were fighting for their country. Their accomplishments are remembered decades later in England, Canada, and elsewhere for many reasons.

At the end of the day, though the Avro 683 Lancaster Bomber was not capable of making evasive maneuvers, it was certainly a powerful weapon system that inflicted major damage on Germany’s industrial machine. The planes proved themselves to be extremely capable in all areas as a bomber, and they gained a reputation as being one of the most effective tools in the Allies’ arsenal.

While there are a few of these aircraft still taking to the skies as airshow performers, there is no longer an active fleet of Avro 683 Lancaster Bomber aircraft stationed in the United Kingdom.

Over time, the Avro 683 Lancaster has become an icon of the Second World War. However, it also gained notoriety for its reliability and versatility over time, as well as its extreme longevity. Even still, the Avro 683 Lancaster played a vital role in aviation history – and its legacy will continue to live on in this popular aircraft.

May 14, 2022 0 comment

History

The F-117: A History of the first stealth fighter

by Till Daisd May 14, 2022

written by Till Daisd

It was a revolutionary aircraft: the first in the world to be fully stealthy, as well as the first to demonstrate capabilities previously thought impossible for a modern military jet. It was so technologically advanced that its existence wasn’t publicly acknowledged until 1988, seven years after it began official operations.

The F-117 Nighthawk’s story begins in 1977 with a request from DARPA (the United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) for proposals for a “hopeless diamond” (HD), an aircraft that could evade Soviet Union radars then under development. The design by Lockheed Martin, led by aeronautical engineer Denys Overholser, received positive feedback from an advisory group at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. In 1978, it was selected over proposals by Northrop and McDonnell Douglas.

The F-117 was deployed for the first time during the Panama invasion in 1989. In 1991, following its official retirement from service, it was used extensively in the Gulf War and Operation Desert Storm. Its night-based attacks against Iraqi infrastructure were reportedly so effective that only a few days into the war, it was given complete control of its targets. In 1998, after being officially reintroduced to service, the F-117 participated in Operation Allied Force during the Kosovo conflict. Afterward, it saw extensive action again in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom (2002) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003).

Although the F-117 was a revolutionary aircraft, it was eventually replaced by newer models like the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, which are more advanced and capable of higher speeds than the Nighthawk. Stealth aircraft will continue to be an integral part of US military strategy in the future. The US Air Force is currently working on new stealth fighter designs that can be launched from aircraft carriers, such as the F/A-XX program. These stealth fighters will be even better at evading radar detection than previous models, thanks to advances in computer technology that allows for more aerodynamic designs with fewer flat surfaces.

Stealth aircraft are designed to be undetectable by the enemies’ radar, making them invisible to those who would shoot them down. They may seem like science fiction devices, but stealth technology has been around since World War II. Stealth aircraft have special materials and shapes to reduce radar reflection, and they also have unique engines that work to prevent heat detection. In addition to being extremely advanced compared to other military aircraft, stealth planes can be incredibly expensive; however, they make up for their monetary cost with their value as a tool in combat situations.

The F-117 Nighthawk is still in active service for the United States of America and will remain in its inventory for years to come. Currently, there are only 22 F-117s left in the US inventory, but the plane is so reliable and the pilots have so much experience that they should be in service for many more decades. Hopefully, they will serve beyond the next generation of military aviators because we cannot afford to ever let such a complex, resourceful plane become extinct. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to continue its legacy.

May 14, 2022 0 comment

History

Some of the most famous aircraft of WWII

by Till Daisd May 13, 2022

written by Till Daisd

Here is a list of some of the most important aircraft of WWII.

North American B-25 Mitchell

North_American_Aviations_B-25 — North American B-25 Mitchell

The North American B-25 Mitchell was a medium bomber used by the US Army Air Corps famously in the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo and throughout the Pacific. The B-25 had tricycle landing gear, twin engines, and a tail gunner position. It served in many theaters of WWII and saw combat in North Africa, Italy, and the Pacific.

P-38 Lightning

The first P-38 Lightning to fly was the XP-38, which took off on January 27, 1939, from March Field, California. The aircraft had experienced several problems during testing, including engine fires and overheating issues with the turbochargers. A second prototype crashed in April 1939. No more prototypes were built until July 1940. By that stage it was clear that the USAAC would be ordering a large number of Lightnings, so Lockheed set up two production lines at Burbank and one at Dallas.

Production continued even after Pearl Harbor; the P-38F entered service in May 1942 and equipped several squadrons for Operation Torch. This marked the first time that American fighters would be operating alongside British aircraft (the Curtiss Tomahawk and North American Mustang also took part). In North Africa the P-38 proved itself to be superior to any German fighter, but its performance suffered over water or when flying from airfields at high altitudes.

Between 1942 and 1945 Lockheed produced 10,037 Lightnings; 3,923 Model Ds/Es/Fs/Ls plus 6,014 Model Js/Ks/Ls (the earlier models were converted into later models). A few hundred were delivered after VJ day.

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

The B-17 Flying Fortress was a heavy bomber used by the United States Air Force in World War II. It first flew in 1935 and took part in the daylight precision strategic bombing campaign of the war, where it proved its worth as one of the most durable aircraft ever built with an almost unmatched ability to suffer damage and still fly.

The four-engine B-17G carried more than 8,000 pounds of bombs over 2,000 miles with a top speed of 287 mph. Its armament included thirteen .50 caliber machine guns mounted in power turrets that could rake targets on all sides for 360 degrees. This did not include the nose gunner who operated a manually aimed ball turret on the underbelly of the fuselage.

P-51 Mustang

One of the most famous aircraft from WWII, the P-51 Mustang was a fighter plane originally designed for Britain’s Royal Air Force. The plane was later adopted by the USAAF (United States Army Air Forces) and became a legend due to its performance as a long-range escort fighter, bomber, and photo-reconnaissance aircraft.

The P-51 Mustang was a fast plane – with a maximum speed of 487 mph it could outpace enemy fighters like the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Focke-Wulf FW 190 – but it also proved to be an effective dogfighter. The P-51 could outmaneuver enemy planes thanks to its 37 ft wingspan and powerful Rolls Royce Merlin Engine.

The aviation community was not initially interested in North American Aviation’s design for the P-51 Mustang, but after demonstration flights in Europe garnered interest from British officials, the RAF ordered 320 Mustangs in 1940.

De Havilland DH 98 Mosquito

The de Havilland DH 98 Mosquito was the fastest and most versatile piston-engine aircraft of WWII. It was used as a bomber, fighter, night fighter, pathfinder, and reconnaissance aircraft. With a twin engine and two propellers, it was nicknamed “The Wooden Wonder” due to its extensive use of wood in its making. The Mosquito could go as fast as 380mph (607km/h) when cruising at 30,000 feet (9144m).

There are some WWII aircraft that are still used in the display industry and in movies. The P-51, B-17, and B-25 still fly today and give us a great show of what our past history was like. They have helped to tell the story of WWII through their performance at air shows across America every year. It is a very impressive sight to see these aircraft being flown with such precision by these pilots that have dedicated their lives to keeping them flying.

These aircraft were the best ever designed during the war and they are still admired today by many people who appreciate the ingenuity it took to design them. They were made for speed and agility which helps them outmaneuver their enemies in battle. These planes can be seen performing at air shows every year where you can get an up-close view of what airplanes from this era looked like when they were first built.

There are four fighters that have served, being retired but still in service today. One is the MiG-15 Fagot, which of course was developed by the Soviets and is used by North Korea to this day. The second is the Sea Harrier, a joint British/American project that has been in use since 1983 and is still in service with the Royal Navy. The third plane that has continuously been used was developed in part by the Germans, the Hawker Hunter. It first saw action in 1956 and continues to be flown by many air forces to this day including Cyprus, China, India, and even North Korea. The last plane on this list is called the MiG-19 Farmer which was introduced into service by Russia around 1956 becoming their first true contemporary combat aircraft more so than its predecessor the MiG-17. Turkey still uses it today alongside Russia, Syria, and Yemen.

A final mention goes to the Spitfire which is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and many other Allied countries before, during, and after World War II. It remains a popular aircraft, with more than 53 operators around the world since its widespread use in WWII. Its cultural status makes it one of the most recognized symbols of World War II aviation and modern industrial era design.

May 13, 2022 0 comment

History

The F-16 Fighting Falcon: America’s workhorse aircraft

by Till Daisd May 13, 2022

written by Till Daisd

Prior to the production of America’s world-famous F-16 fighter jet, a prototype was designed by General Dynamics and built-in 1974, called the YF-16. This initial prototype was flown as part of the Air Force’s lightweight fighter program, which aimed to develop a new combat aircraft that could be used for air superiority. The design of the YF-16 proved promising when it was tested against other competing prototypes.

The F-16 and the F-15 were specifically designed to complement each other, not replace one another. The F-16 was meant to be a lighter, more maneuverable aircraft. This is why it’s still in use today: miscellaneous tasks that don’t require the heavy firepower of an F-15 can be easily accomplished by an F-16. This allows the Air Force to use the fuel and ammo for their bigger fighter jet when it’s needed most.

The Air Force had been keeping an eye on how the Vietnam War was progressing (the war began in 1956) and felt that there was a need for a lighter fighter jet with less of a reliance on missiles than previous models. So, rather than using heavier engines from existing aircraft, they opted for a new engine design built by Pratt & Whitney called the General Electric J79 engine (which would later be used for some versions of the F-101 Voodoo).

Good airplanes are designed with a good pilot in mind. They must be able to take hits, take evasive maneuvers, and get the pilot home safely. Some planes have been known to kill their pilots through the stress of combat. The F-16 is not one of these planes—it was built to fly under those circumstances. The pilot is the heart of the F-16. Everything else is just hardware.
The pilot sits at the front of the plane and controls it directly: steering by turning a stick with his hand, controlling speed and altitude with foot pedals, adjusting pitch and roll (up/down and side-to-side) with his arms on mechanical links that tilt the wings accordingly. There are one or two engines behind him pushing him forward at tremendous speeds; there are weapons loaded onto hardpoints on wingtips for blowing things up, but none of that matters if he can’t control it all from his seat in the cockpit—a space designed for comfort as well as functionality because a comfortable pilot makes better decisions faster than an uncomfortable one does in those harried moments when seconds count.

The F-16’s ease of flight is the result of its lightweight, aerodynamic design, and powerful engine. The aircraft has a larger wing area than other fighters and a high thrust-to-weight ratio. All these factors allow for greater maneuverability in the air.
One pilot recounted his first solo flight in an F-16: “I was five miles from the runway, vertical at 35,000 feet. I pulled the stick back, rolled it to inverted, and went straight up into a loop. It was dead calm in there… You see this earth looping down below you, and your body falling straight down behind it.”

For those who have flown other aircraft, the F-16 is quite a different animal. The engine is at the center of the aircraft, and everything from avionics to fuel tanks is arranged in relation to it. In fact, everything about the plane is built around that one component. As Air Force pilots put it, “the engine is the heart and soul” of the plane.
In short: the engine is what makes or breaks the plane—it’s both its most important feature and its most expensive.

The F-16’s airframe is made of several different materials. The primary material is an aluminum alloy that has been reinforced with titanium in high-stress areas. Steel is also used in certain parts of the structure, but due to its weight, it is only used where absolutely necessary for strength reasons. An increasing amount of graphite-epoxy composites are being added to the airframe as well, reducing even further the amount of metal needed. A foam core epoxy sandwich construction method (similar to what’s used on modern sailboats and other high-performance vehicles) makes up most of the non-metal portions of the aircraft, such as much of the wings and fuselage.

If you want to turn a plane, then you need to use some control surfaces. These are the moving parts of an aircraft that help it change direction. On the wings, there are flaps, on the tail, there’s a rudder and elevator. An F-16 uses a hydraulic system to move these control surfaces and direct the aircraft. What’s a hydraulic system? It’s an oil-based system that’s powered by a pump and typically used for things like braking systems in vehicles and lifting heavy loads in industrial settings.

Why does the F-16 use hydraulics instead of electronics?

Hydraulics are simple and reliable, which is important when you’re flying at hundreds or thousands of miles per hour! The only downside is that they can be heavy (but it’s worth it).

The F-16 has a gun, bombs, missiles, and rockets. It can carry a maximum of 7,000 pounds (3,175 kilograms) of weapons. The aircraft’s primary weapon is the 25mm GAU-12/U Equalizer eight-barrel Gatling gun with 500 rounds of ammunition. For targeting enemy aircraft or ground targets, the F-16 can carry air-to-air missiles, such as the AIM-9 Sidewinder heat-seeking missile and the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air to Air Missile (AMRAAM). Additionally, the aircraft can carry a variety of air-to-surface missiles such as AGM/GBU Maverick missiles for attacking tanks and armored vehicles and AGM/GBU anti-ship weapons for attacking ships. If necessary, an F16 can also be equipped with nuclear bombs.

Every F-16 carries a 20mm rotary cannon, with 500 rounds of ammunition, generally used in combat against enemy aircraft. Besides that, the F-16 has bays for carrying missiles, bombs, and rockets. If your mission requires stealth, those weapons can be stored internally. The bays rotate into the body of the plane during a flight to make the craft as aerodynamic as possible. For missions that don’t require stealth, such as attacking ground targets or supporting other aircraft in a dogfight scenario (such as fending off enemy fighters while other planes execute their respective missions), you can carry additional weapons externally at all times by mounting them to pylons under the wings and fuselage.

The cockpit has three multi-function displays, which the pilot uses to communicate with the aircraft’s systems and weapons, navigate, and see what’s happening outside of the cockpit through video cameras mounted on the exterior of the plane. It also has a large head-up display (HUD) projected in front of it that shows critical information without forcing pilots to take their eyes off of what they’re doing or looking down at the controls. This is important since there are often so many things happening that a pilot does not want to take his eyes off his target for more than a second.

In conclusion, the F-16 has proven itself to be a workhorse aircraft for many nations other than just the United States. If there is one thing we can learn from its history, it’s that the design has successfully adapted to the needs of its operators, and it has made each nation more effective in its operations. In light of this revelation, we should look forward to seeing how this aircraft will continue to adapt to changes in military aviation and foreign policy around the globe.

May 13, 2022 0 comment

History

The Battle of the Atlantic: How aircraft carriers changed the course of the war

by Till Daisd May 13, 2022

written by Till Daisd

The Battle of the Atlantic was a lengthy and complex naval campaign that lasted from 1939 until the end of World War II. It began immediately after Germany invaded Poland in September 1939 and ended with Germany’s surrender in May 1945. The warring sides were the British Empire, France, Canada, Australia, and their allies (the Allies) versus Nazi Germany and Italy (the Axis Powers).

The Battle of the Atlantic was a key turning point of World War II as it impacted Britain’s ability to import food and raw materials necessary for its war effort. The battle involved some of the world’s most powerful navies with over 100,000 combatants engaged in guarding convoys while trying to evade capture by enemy forces. In terms of duration and scale, this military operation became known as the longest continuous military campaign in history.

Aircraft carriers played an important role in defeating Germany during World War II because they provided protection for merchant vessels at sea as well as escorted convoys across dangerous waters such as those near Norway or France where U-boats were known to lurk around waiting for prey that could be easily attacked without fear from above due to air superiority over land or sea surface vessels by means of long-range missile weapons platforms.

In ten years of war, aircraft carriers were the greatest weapon in the Allied arsenal. Their ability to roam the ocean’s waters and bring supplies and reinforcements to harried troops on land gave them an advantage no other armada could match. By mid-1943, many of the world’s major powers had received their first taste of carrier air power, but it was a different story on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. Despite their early success, Admiral Ernest King was convinced that he stood no chance against a modern enemy with superior technology: aircraft carriers. At the Battle of Midway in June 1942, King lost his only vessel to attack—the USS Yorktown—and as a result, was forced to retreat from his bases in Hawaii. The Japanese would gain invaluable experience in carrier warfare at Midway that they could use well into 1944; however, by then King had already devised a new strategy for defeating Nazi Germany which called for more army strength than just aircraft carriers: General Dwight D. Eisenhower would become supreme allied commander by 1944 and make it happen.

It is important to note that while they did help protect convoys, bomber aircraft was not a good choice in the Battle of the Atlantic. The reason is simple: Convoys are large and spread out, with dozens of cargo ships trying to stick together as they travel across the ocean. In addition, bomber aircraft were not very effective at being able to find and sinking U-boats because these submarines are designed to be hard to see and hidden underwater. The bombers also could not carry enough bombs for every U-boat that was nearby. Bomber aircraft were designed for combat over land, where there is no ocean to limit their movement or how far they can fly.

The U-Boats were the deadliest weapons in the German arsenal during this time. In 1939, the German Navy had 58 U-Boats. By 1943, they’d expanded their fleet to over 300. They were effective because they were difficult to detect and attack. Instead of deploying them individually, as other navies did with their submarines, Germany employed a tactic called a “wolfpack” strategy. Their U-Boats would wait underwater for convoys of merchant’s vessels to sail across the Atlantic. Once in range, several U-Boats would surface and attack at once using torpedoes and deck guns. This strategy made it difficult for aircraft carriers to counterattack because it was too risky for aircraft carrying bombs or depth charges to fly low enough over the ocean’s surface without getting shot down by anti-aircraft fire from the U-Boats.

As aircraft carriers’ numbers in the battle grew, so did their ability to make headway against enemy forces. Their speed and range allowed them to rapidly respond when a convoy was spotted by radar or plane reconnaissance, leaving little time for German forces to prepare an attack plan or position themselves among incoming ships before being spotted by Allied pilots overhead.

Aircraft are critical to ensuring the Allied victory in WWII. Both land-based and carrier-based aircraft are essential to the battle, as they serve as spotters for submarine activity, but can also attack enemy ships directly if necessary. The carriers’ speed and ability to deploy aircraft anywhere within a broad range make them a formidable adversary for the Germans.

One of the most critical components of the Allied strategy is what we’ll call an “aircraft”. This is a floating airport with both offensive and defensive capabilities. The Germans were so impressed by these aircraft that they used them throughout their own fleet during the war, but due to their lack of radar technology were unable to effectively utilize them.

In addition to better technology, however, the Allies also benefited from an unprecedented collaboration between land forces, sea forces, and air forces. This cooperation was key in allowing Allied nations to access and protect shipping lanes across the Atlantic. It also made it possible for them to launch successful attacks on German military installations throughout Europe. The Allies were also able to achieve more than they could have alone because of their increased collaboration at the strategic level of warfare.

While a number of factors contributed to Allied success in the Battle of the Atlantic—for example, technological advances that enabled improved detection methods and radar systems—collaboration was a key factor in this victory.
The Battle of the Atlantic was a crucial part of World War II. The battle began in September 1939, when German submarines sunk three British cruisers and damaged two more in the North Sea.
The Germans lost about 1,000 men and four submarines during the attack. The British lost 943 men and one destroyer.

However, in the days following the attack, Germany sank another three destroyers, two cruisers, and eight ships with supplies for Britain’s army. The Germans also sank several British merchant ships carrying food and other supplies to Britain, which caused shortages on the island nation.

May 13, 2022 0 comment

History

The F-18 Hornet aircraft: a brief history

by Till Daisd May 13, 2022

written by Till Daisd

The F-18 aircraft has been in service with the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force variants since 1983 and is still in use today. It was developed as a replacement for the A-7 Corsair and the F-4 Phantom, both of which had limited capabilities in terms of speed and range. The goal of the program was to create a supersonic, single-seat fighter that would be capable of operating from both an aircraft carrier and a land-based airfield.

In the 1970s, the Navy used the A-7 Corsair II for light attack purposes; its role was to carry out attacks against armored vehicles, ships, and ground installations. The Air Force also had the F-4 Phantom II which could also function as a bomber or reconnaissance plane and was primarily used in Vietnam.

The A-7 and F-4 were each deemed inadequate for various reasons, so they needed to be replaced by one plane that could do everything those two planes did.

The aircraft had to be multi-role so that it would be able to conduct air-to-air combat and ground attack missions.
This requirement was extremely demanding and raised many challenges for the designers. However, after 5 years of research and development, the F-18 made its first flight in 1978.

The F-18 Hornet is powered by two General Electric engines which are rated at up to 16,000 pounds of thrust each so it can go quite fast. The F-18 can reach a top speed of 1,190 mph at 36,000 feet. It has a maximum altitude of 50,000 feet and a range of 1,275 miles with two external fuel tanks. The aircraft’s maximum takeoff weight is 50,000 lbs with an empty weight of 28,000 lbs. Its length is 57 feet 4 inches and its wingspan is 44 feet 8 inches.

The F-18 is equipped with folding wings, which can be folded up manually in case of a hydraulic system failure. The wingtip and the flap on each side of the plane have been designed so that they can be folded when the aircraft is on board an aircraft carrier.

The F-18 also features an ejection seat which can work even when the aircraft is traveling at supersonic speeds. The seat is designed to fire at supersonic speeds, with a rocket booster being used to get you away from the plane before deploying a parachute. It doesn’t need an external ejection handle as most other designs do, but instead uses a single grab handle for both pilots and weapon systems officers that are located above their heads.

One interesting aspect of the F-18’s design is its landing gear. Instead of having the wheels retract forward into the fuselage as most other planes do, the F-18’s wheels retract back into the fuselage itself. This allows for more room in the nose for a powerful radar and also gives extra room in front of the engine air intakes.

Because this new landing gear system had never been done before, it was considered a risk during development and testing. If it failed during landing, there would be nothing between you and the ground except your engine air intakes—and those are not made to take a direct hit from Mother Earth. Thankfully, if you lose all hydraulics, there is a mechanical backup system that allows you to manually extend or retract your gears at will.

It is also equipped with an internal 20mm cannon along with various weapons stations capable of carrying up to 16,000 lbs worth of bombs, missiles, or rockets depending on the mission’s needs. This is all possible thanks to a system known as Hardpoint that allows the pilot to configure their F-18 to deal with any situation they may find themselves in while over enemy territory.

In combat situations, pilots have reported achieving up to seven kills per sortie due to the advanced technology built into this aircraft

Nowadays, the Navy’s F-18 aircraft is still being developed. There are numerous small changes made before 2020. We can’t predict what all of these changes will be at this time, but we can be certain that some changes will occur and that the F-18 will, for at least a little while longer, soldier on as one of the most prominent aircraft with the Navy.

In conclusion, the F-18 aircraft today is far more advanced than it was when it was first developed. It has a long life ahead of it, given that upgrades and enhancements will continue, and possibly lead to another generation of the aircraft. However, despite its history and evolving development, whether that is the case or not remains to be seen.

May 13, 2022 0 comment

F-14 Tomcat History

The F-14 Tomcat: From Air Force to Hollywood

by Till Daisd May 12, 2022

written by Till Daisd

Even though the F-14 Tomcat was designed for the U.S. Navy, it became one of the most popular fighters in Hollywood history. With its sleek design and impressive maneuverability, it’s not hard to see why this fighter jet was used in many high-octane action films throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

The F-14 Tomcat, from its first flight in 1970 to its retirement in 2006, spent more than 3 and a half decades making history. Many who witnessed it will never forget the aircraft’s debut in 1972 on the USS Enterprise. Others have watched it on film or television and been impressed by the plane’s sleekness, size, and agility. It is one of the Navy’s most beloved jets ever commissioned—and for good reason.

The F-14 Tomcat was designed as a replacement for another legendary Navy jet: the F4 Phantom II. Like its predecessor, the Tomcat is multirole—able to do many things well-meaning that pilots can engage targets at long range as well as short-range (when equipped with heat-seeking missiles). The plane has two modes of operation: air superiority mode (for air combat) and strike mode (for ground attack).

A Navy F-14 was shot down during the Iran Hostage Crisis of 1979 when it accidentally crossed over Iranian airspace while flying a mission in Iraq. The crew ejected safely and were rescued by an HH-3E Jolly Green Giant helicopter.

HH-3E-Jolly-Green-Giant — HH-3E Jolly Green Giant

In 1972, the U.S. Air Force took a look at the F-14, but it was too pricey to maintain if they were going to keep the F-15 and F-16. The plane was not in service with the USAF and would never be. The aircraft had been designed for carrier landings and takeoffs, but could only land at specific airfields due to its landing gear that couldn’t handle crosswinds, a problem that wouldn’t be resolved until 1982 with the release of the Grumman F-14D Super Tomcat.

F-14D-Super-Tomcat — Grumman F-14D Super Tomcat

The F-14 Tomcat soon found itself in action during Operation Desert Storm, the United States military operation to end Saddam Hussein’s occupation of Kuwait. In support of Operation Southern Watch, which enforced a no-fly zone in southern Iraq, two squadrons were deployed to the Gulf to fly combat air patrols over Iraq. There were several notable actions against the Iraqi air force on January 17 and February 4, 1993 (Operation Southern Watch). During one strike, an F-14 shot down three MiG-21s with a single missile while another scored two kills with its cannon.

During Operation Desert Storm itself, F-14Bs from VF-2 and VF-31 flew escort for strike missions over Baghdad and then directed strikes against ground targets using their LANTIRN pods. They also flew long-range deep strike missions into southern Iraq using their Phoenix missiles to destroy radar sites that supported Iraqi air defenses.

The F-14 also had several known issues, but most of them could be resolved. One of Tomcat’s more serious problems was its engine. The engines were known to suffer catastrophic failures and fire right off the factory floor, and that didn’t get any better once they were put into service. The hydraulic system was unreliable and also prone to failure. These two factors combined to cause maintenance costs and downtime to skyrocket, with the cost of each hour of flight time exceeding $10,000 per hour—a full order of magnitude higher than other aircraft in service at the time.

As you can imagine, this was a big problem for an air superiority fighter that needed to be up in the air as much as possible to remain relevant on the battlefield. Luckily for Navy aviators, Grumman made some key improvements over time such as building a much-improved version (the F-14B) and increasing reliability by overhauling its hydraulics with new parts that eliminated these problems.

The Grumman F-14 Tomcat was designed to attack Soviet bombers over the Pacific in case of nuclear war. Thankfully, this scary scenario never came to fruition, but the Tomcat’s abilities were put on full display during the Iran hostage crisis by protecting U.S. naval vessels from Iranian Air Force fighter jets. Its rugged looks and powerful engines made it a natural fit for one of the most memorable movie moments in history (i.e., flying closer than 18 inches from an adversary aircraft and yelling “You’re dead!”). And its popularity forced Congress to continue funding the production of new F-14s long after production lines had been shut down.

This jet is best known for its starring role in the movie Top Gun, but it was also an important part of naval history. While it did get some upgrades throughout its two decades of service, this jet remained more or less unchanged. Over 800 were made during that period, which included desert operations and other wartime missions. The F-14 Tomcat was truly a powerful fighter jet that remains beloved today.

The plane also appeared in several television shows and video games, as well as countless comic books—so much so that it became better known as a movie plane than an actual plane. Because so many people remember seeing Tomcats blasting across their televisions and theater screens all those years ago, they still tend to think of it as a modern weapon of war. But its popularity with Hollywood’s elite didn’t keep the F-14 in service much longer.
The F-14 Tomcat, the signature fighter jet of the United States Navy’s Fleet Carrier Air Wings in the late 20th century, is considered a classic “Alpha” jet. The model used in the movie Top Gun is on display at the National Museum of Naval Aviation.

In conclusion, the F-14 Tomcat has cemented itself in history as one of the air force’s most beloved jets. While it’s no longer in use, the jet is still a favorite among military personnel and continues to be revered by aviation enthusiasts and those interested in military history.

May 12, 2022 0 comment

History

The Battle of the Bulge: The turning point in World War II

by Till Daisd May 12, 2022

written by Till Daisd

German generals knew that the Allies would need to hold strong in the Ardennes. They planned an offensive to catch them off guard and to take control of their supply lines. By December, German forces were able to advance about 70 miles before the Allied counterattack drove them back.

The Allied counterattack at the Battle of the Bulge (16 December 1944 to 25 January 1945) was a turning point in World War II. Following the first American and British victory over Germany in the Ardennes, on 31 December 1944, elements of General Dwight D Eisenhower’s 21st Army Group began to attack along a narrow front towards Houffalize. The weather remained bad for three days but then cleared and Allied air support became available for the first time since 16 December. By 17 January, only five days after their initial attacks had begun, US forces reached Houffalize. On 18 January German forces began retreating from Bastogne along two routes through Samree and Marvie, just north of the town.

General Montgomery’s troops attacked on 19 January but did not progress far before they ran out of fuel. The weather changed again with heavy snowfalls and poor visibility which hampered movements by planes and tanks; however, Patton’s Third Army kept up its pressure on an increasingly desperate German defense. On 22 January 1945 units of Patton’s army bypassed Bastogne to the north-west while other elements struck at it from around Neufchateau to the south-east as part of a pincer movement that finally closed around it with its encirclement complete. Bastogne was captured on 23 January when von Manteuffel ordered his remaining troops to withdraw; he later said that his decision was based mainly on his supply problems: “We were in danger of being cut off from all our supplies.”

The Battle of the Bulge was a fight between two formidable military leaders, Eisenhower and Hitler. Eisenhower, the supreme commander of the Allied forces in Europe, led a coalition that included the U.S., British, and French soldiers. The battle was one of several major offensives launched by Hitler and his German army against the Allies during World War II.

Eisenhower was known for his calm-under-pressure leadership style that emphasized strategic planning over impulsive action. His deliberate approach is credited with reducing panic among Allied troops when an attack by German Luftwaffe planes unexpectedly grounded thousands of Allied bombers in 1944—an incident that became known as the Black Thursday mission. In contrast to Eisenhower’s methodical strategy, Hitler’s leadership style during Operation Market Garden was more improvisational: he sent troops into battle without proper supplies or equipment and delegated many decisions to lower commanders instead of taking responsibility himself.

The weather in the European theater was key to the outcome of WWII. It’s also where air superiority and air supremacy come from. If you live through a snowy winter, you’re in for a better time during spring/summer. If you live through a cool summer, expect that your enemy will make sure that everyone is miserable just to rub it in your face.

The Germans had no air supremacy over the allied forces across Europe, but they did have air superiority above England and North Atlantic waters. The Luftwaffe’s operations were sadly successful because, throughout much of their time on the continent (1939-1940), they were fighting an awesome war of attrition against an equal opponent: the Royal Air Force. But without proper planning and foresight before invading mainland Europe, their best-laid plans for easy victory are ultimately shown as failures even though their numbers vastly outnumbered those of the allies. They lost many aircraft carriers due to a lack of planning and inability to properly coordinate efforts to repair them or even protect them once being shot at by British planes which caused flight decks largely inaccessible for repairs at sea which also caused pilots to abandon damaged aircraft and escape back into allied territory as well as return empty carriers turning more attention towards strategic bombers instead.

The Allies had more men and tanks than the Germans, but the battle was a close one due to a number of factors—among them German tactical advantage and Allied logistical advantage. Though the Germans had far fewer tanks and men at their disposal, they were well-equipped for defensive warfare, with excellent anti-tank weapons that could penetrate even the heaviest Allied armor.

The Allies were hampered in part by their divided command structure: the Battle of the Bulge occurred on British, American, and French soil. This meant that forces on the ground couldn’t be coordinated as effectively as they could have been otherwise. Even so, there wasn’t much difference between the equipment available to both sides in terms of quality—though artillery pieces used by different armies varied in weight and effectiveness, all sides used rocket launchers such as Panzerschrecks and bazookas against each other.

The Battle of the Bulge, or Ardennes Offensive, was the last major battle of World War II. In December 1944, Hitler sent his troops through the dense Ardennes forest in an attempt to split American and British forces during the winter. This took place in Belgium and Luxembourg. The plan was for his army to capture Antwerp with a surprise attack that caught Allied forces off-guard. However, he failed to consider how adverse weather conditions would affect his offensive strategy. His army accomplished their mission at first but eventually was overpowered by Allied forces led by General Patton.

After this battle ended in January 1945, Hitler retreated from the war and Allied forces were able to advance toward Germany and focus on ending the war once and for all. It is also important for us today because it reminds us of what happens as a result of complacency when fighting against hostile adversaries who are relentless in their efforts to undermine democracy around the world.

The Battle of the Bulge was one of the largest and bloodiest battles in World War II. However, if it weren’t for George S. Patton Jr., the German army may have won the battle. It was his unorthodox strategies, reckless nature, and military genius that saved the day for the Allies. This battle had a huge impact on the war and contributed to the eventual defeat of Germany in 1945. Today, however, no one remembers this epic tale of bravery, but hopefully, you will be inspired to learn its story.

May 12, 2022 0 comment

History

The B-52: From the Cold War to the War on Terror

by Till Daisd May 12, 2022

written by Till Daisd

The B-52 was designed to carry nuclear weapons in the event that the Cold War turned hot. In 1956, at the height of the Cold War, Boeing began working on a design for what would become the B-52. The Air Force wanted a long-range bomber capable of carrying large numbers of nuclear weapons and flying high enough to avoid enemy defenses. Boeing’s chief designer for the project, Ed Wells, said he was inspired by a piece of laminated birch used in airplane construction during World War II.

“I had this little three-inch strip of birch that I’d been given and I took it home and put it on my mantelpiece. You see, I had these two cats [who] liked to knock things off that mantelpiece … one day they knocked this thing off and it hit me—we could do away with all those structural members.”

The first B-52 prototype was first flown on April 15, 1952, by test pilot Alvin M. “Tex” Johnston. The flight of the XB-52 took place at Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington. It was a success and flew over a crowd of 300,000 people who were there to celebrate Armed Forces day.

Boeing XB-52 in flight. Note the upswept wing flex. (U.S. Air Force photo)

This plane is a subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber that operated by the U.S. Air Force since 1955. The aircraft was designed and built by Boeing and has been in service with the Air Force since 1955. It is capable of dropping or launching the widest array of weapons in the U.S. inventory, including gravity bombs, cluster bombs, precision-guided missiles (such as cruise missiles or joint direct attack munitions), nuclear weapons, and Joint Standoff Weapons (JSOWs). It has a conventional bomb capacity of about 70,000 pounds (31,500 kg) and can carry up to 20 tons of munitions over 8,800 nautical miles (10,000 mi; 16,000 km) without aerial refueling.

The story of the B-52 begins in 1946, immediately after the end of World War II. The United States sought a supersonic long-range heavy bomber to deliver large quantities of nuclear weapons to targets around the world. This plane would have four engines and be capable of flying at high speeds and altitudes. It would ideally be able to fly faster than the speed of sound, but this feature was not strictly required.

You’ve probably heard the iconic sound of a B-52 bomber plane. The roaring engines and deafening propellers are unmistakable, and they’re not just for dramatic effect. The B-52 is built to take on missions in some pretty intense conditions, including nuclear warfare scenarios. They first hit the scene in 1955, with nearly 750 being built by Boeing over a period of 40 years (despite their name, they’re actually eight-engine planes).

Before long, Boeing’s design was adapted for other uses, including low-level precision bombing and as a missile platform.
Boeing’s design was also well-suited to low-level precision bombing, which led to its use in the Vietnam War. The B-52 was used for both high altitude and low altitude bombing in North Vietnam and Laos between 1965 and 1973. The plane would fly at altitudes as low as 450 feet (137 meters) during these missions. In addition, it has been adapted as a missile platform, firing air-to-air missiles at Soviet bombers during Cold War standoffs. It was also used to launch cruise missiles during the 1991 Gulf War and has seen service in Afghanistan and Iraq since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan.

You might not know this, but in 1960, one of the first B-52s flew 24 hours non-stop with two aerial refuelings to set an endurance record. The Cold War was in full swing when the B-52 was designed to carry nuclear weapons in the event the Cold War turned hot. It became operational in 1955 after a decade of research and development. The United States began looking for a supersonic heavy bomber in 1946 after World War II ended and testing was underway by 1950.

In 1962, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, several B-52s armed with atomic missiles were placed on alert and flown around the clock on airborne alert. This was reportedly a key element in President Kennedy’s negotiation with Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, which helped bring about a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

The crew of a B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., is pre-flighting an aircraft before takeoff on Aug. 21, 2014. In addition, the aircraft is part of three U.S. bombers that were deployed to RAF Fairford as part of Bomber Task Force Europe, which enhances bomber interoperability training with NATO allies and European partners involved in Operation Atlantic Resolve, a demonstration of continued U.S. commitment to NATO allies and partners in Central and Eastern Europe.

Kennedy was successful in his negotiations with Khrushchev, and the aircraft were returned to their bases soon after. During the Vietnam War, more than 700 B-52D Stratofortresses dropped more than 3 million tons of bombs on North Vietnam and Laos between 1965 and 1973.

The first B-52 bomber to use turbofan engines was the B-52D. It was also the first to be equipped with a tail turret. The B-52D’s defensive armament included four General Electric J79 turbojet engines (capable of producing 15,000 lbf each), four 20 mm M61 Vulcan six-barreled rotary cannons in two remote-controlled tail turrets, AN/ASG30B fire control system, and a Norden AN/APN153 Doppler radar navigation system. This model was used for combat in Southeast Asia from 1968 to 1973.

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force provides a glimpse into the evolution of airpower through its extensive collection, including five B-52s (with examples from all three major variants). It is clear through examining these aircraft that the B-52 has been instrumental in the U.S.’s Cold War and post-Cold War warfare efforts over the past 65 years, and it is likely to remain a key component force for many years to come.

May 12, 2022 0 comment

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