Military Aircraft

The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird is a supersonic long range reconnaissance aircraft that was developed from the Lockheed YF-12. When this was being developed it was classified as a top secret project and was undertaken by the now well know Lockheed Skunk Works. The SR-71 featured many advanced technologies and concepts that were primarily designed by Clarence... 

The largest and heaviest helicopter in the United States military is the Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion (Sikorsky S-80E). It was built for the United States Marine Corps by Sikorsky Aircraft. Sikorsky is currently developing the CH-53K, which will be equipped with 3 – 6,000 shp-class turboshaft engines, new composite rotor blades, and a wider... 

The Mikoyan MiG-29 (Fulcrum) is a 4th-generation Soviet jet fighter aircraft. Developed by the Mikoyan design bureauin the 1970s, it entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1983. Click on the images below to see a larger view Polish Mikoyan Mig-29 by Henrik "The Viper", on Flickr MIG 29 Fulcrum Nosecone German Air Force MIG 29 MIG 29... 

The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet was designed to attack ground targets and to perform dogfighting maneuvers. The Hornet is used by several military departments in the US. The United States Navy uses them as well as the Marine Corps. Several other countries also possess large numbers of these lethal aircraft. Click on the images below to see a larger... 

The Republic Aviation Corporation’s F-84 ThunderJet was one of the first air superiority fighters, powered by a jet engine, in the United States Air Force (AF) arsenal. It was also one of the most intriguing experimental platforms ever designed. Between 1952 and the fall of ’57, no less than two hundred tests of various systems involving... 

The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird was an long range Mach 3+ reconnaissance aircraft developed in the 1960s. Its best defensive weapon was it’s ability to reach supersonic speeds. To counteract a missile attack, it would simply just speed up. SR-71 Blackbird in flight SR-71 Instrument Panel NOse view of the SR-71 Blackbird SR-71 Blackbird Refueling ... 

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), used mainly for the military, are aircraft that fly without a human crew on board. UAV’s are different from cruise missiles in that they are re-used for future use where as a cruise missile is intended to be fired just the once, and therefore considered a weapon. Click on the images to see a larger view. Unmanned... 

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a single seat, single-engine stealth fighter. It is the most sophisticated fighter aircraft in the world today. The F-35 is capable of VSTOL (very short take-off and landing) operations. The F-35 is a direct descendant of the X-35, a product of the JSF program. F-35 Lightning II – F-35 Take-Off - F-35... 

The C-5 Galaxy is classified as a large military transport aircraft, developed by the Lockheed company. It provides the United States Air Force with intercontinental travel capabilities. The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is one of the largest military aircraft operating in the world today. C-5 Galaxy – Original C-5 Galaxy Cockpit – C-5 Galaxy... 

Project Tom-Tom was originated by the United States Air Force’s Strategic Air Command as a way to provide its long range heavy bomber fleets with a fighter umbrella by towing them on semi-fixed wing links. The concept of the MX-1018, the programs official call-sign, was devised from the FICO (Fighter Conveyor) system. A program initiated by the...