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The F15 Eagle is one of the greatest combat jet planes in existence, even though it’s been over 33 years since its prototype took off. The first Eagle took off in 1972; four years later it entered service in 1976. It was designed to have air superiority, so when they had control of the sky, other aircraft (i.e. Bombers and other craft) could safely carry out their missions. One of the many functions that enables it to succeed is the variety ordnance that can be equipped to the F15. This includes the AIM9 Sidewinder heat-seeker, as well as the other missiles and even a M61 Gatling gun for short range engagements. The power comes from its two P&W afterburner engines. This can generate a combined thrust of over 46,000 lb. (18160.0 kilograms) this allows it to have a great power to weight ratio, even when the F15 is fully loaded. The more recent modification is the F15E Strike Eagle, such as the improvement that gives the F15 the ability to attack ground as well as air. The F15 is still seen around the world and can be found in most areas that America has a presence.
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The F16 Falcon is an extremely capable aircraft. It’s able to do a 9G turn; the odds are that the pilot will fail long before the airframe ever does. The F16 first took to the skies in late 1976. By January 1979 it was being delivered to combat squadrons across the US. It was one of the first to fly by the fly-by-wire control system. (The same system that the F117 Nighthawk uses). The control system allows for a side mounted control stick instead of the knees joystick that was standard since the beginning. This allows the pilot to have better control during the high-G maneuver that the plane flies. The cost of development and production was one thing that was simplified. Some existing as long proven systems were adapted for the F16 uses. One thing that is unusual for in the Falcon is the use of a single engine instead of two, which in turn allows for a cutting of the cost the Falcon as well as the maintenance; it does in turn increase the chance of a “dead stick landing”. (A dead stick landing happens when an aircraft lands with out a working engine). The F16 Falcon is not only used in America, European countries both help build the aircraft and fly them in their squadrons. Countries include Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands and Norway. Israel and Portugal also operate the plane.
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The F117 Nighthawk -or as it is often know as “The Stealth Fighter”- is still one of the strangest looking aircraft you will ever see. But there is a motive to this madness, the aircraft frame and works are use to fully utilize stealth technology. Its sweet design makes it hard to be picked up by both radar and infrared signatures. To further help in this it uses a mixture of special materials including angles and shielded jet intakes/outlets. That and the fact that it’s black and usually flies at night help as well. It started at the Lockheed “Skunkworks” in California in 1978; its first flight was in 1981. Between 1982 and 1990 a totaled of around 54 aircraft where delivered to the USAF. There is a setback to the Nighthawks stealth however; the plane is so aerodynamically unstable that the aircraft requires a computer to enable it to even fly. The computer does this by adjusting the control deflections as well as constantly monitoring flight parameters. When the pilot requires a maneuver the computers decides what fly surfaces to move and how much maneuverability is required. The F117’s purpose is even as strange as it look. While it looks like a fighter, it really is a ground strike aircraft, also know as an attack bomber. To help hold true to its stealth, the weapons are held in an internal bay, having a bunch of bombs underneath would make it light up like a Christmas tree.
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The A10 Thunderbolts also known as Warthogs are a purpose designed ground attack aircraft. It combat systems has a powerful 30 mm GAU-8/A seven-barrel Gatling gun which had shocking power even against a modern battle tank. The gun fires at a disturbing 3,900 rounds per minute. But even with the 30mm the Thunderbolts can carry 16,000 pounds of external ordinance. The Warthogs is no means fast. Its top speed is only 420 Mph, the same speed that the old WW2 P47 Thunderbolts could fly. One thing about the engines is that they are positioned at the rear, this allows for better protection form ground fire. The Warthogs even has dual control lines, which allow the Warthogs to come home even when they take a real betting. One of its key futures is the capability to have a shot take off and landing which allows the planes to be base near the front lines where they are needed. The A10 has Flew over 8000 sorties in the Gulf war allowing
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| The fastest bomber in the American service, The B1b Lancer has four 30.000 1b afterburning General Electric F-101-GE-102 turbofans. The combined force can swing the aircraft along at mach 1.2 sea leave. The Lancer even has the ability to deliver it’s payload between continents with out refueling. The plane started back in the 1970s when the B1a program called for a long range multi-role heavy bomber. The Project was soon cancelled by the Carter administration however. But in 1981 Reagan’s program revived the B1a renamed the B1b; by 1984 the first flight where taking place. Finally in 1986 the Lancer entered service. The design even incorporates stealth technology, by using radar absorbing materials, this plus the aircraft’s speed make it a hard target for the enemy to hit. Even Swing Wings the Lancer uses play an important part in the flying of the plane. The forward sweep is used for take off, landing and fuel efficient cruising. But when speed is needed the wings sweep back their by reducing drag and airframe stress.
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The B52 Stratofortress is Boeing’s veteran heavy bomber. Don’t let the word veteran scare you. The B52 is still one of America’s largely efficient combat aircraft, even though it has been 40 years after the first prototype where delivered to Strategic Air Command (SAC). The B52 is also one of the largest combat airplanes you while ever see. At a wingspan of 185 ft (5638.8 Centimeters), and a length of over 159 ft (4846.3 Centimeters), this plus weighing nearly 220 metric tons full load. But through all that metric tons, it can still fly at over 650 mph, plus 50,000 ft altitude. Even the range is just as enormous, around 8,800 miles! The B52 has seen plenty of action over its 40 or more years. Thanks to Carpet bombing over Vietnam, and the use during the Gulf war. One of the main reasons theB52 is still in service is the 70,000 1b of ordnance and cruise missiles the bomber can hold. Now days the B52 has gone under far-reaching modifications, However the B52 is still expected to remain in service for some time now.
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