Defense Systems Analyst
Michael Trent covers military aircraft, weapons systems, and defense technology with an emphasis on cost, maintenance, and real-world performance. He focuses less on specifications and more on how systems hold up once they are deployed, maintained, and operated at scale.
Eighteen inches. At 400 mph. The margin for error is less than the length of your forearm. How the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds train their pilots to fly in formation so tight that one flinch would be catastrophic, and why the military considers air show teams a combat-relevant mission.
The Air Force's airborne radar platform is older than the pilots flying it. Its replacement has been in service with Australia for 15 years. The delay in adopting the E-7 Wedgetail cost decades of capability.
Only six pilots have ever sat in a B-21 Raider cockpit. Everything they saw is classified. Northrop Grumman's next-generation stealth bomber made its first flight in November 2023 and has been in flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base since, making it the most secretive aircraft program in a generation. At roughly $700 million per aircraft, the Raider is designed to penetrate the most advanced air defenses on earth and deliver nuclear or conventional weapons to any target, anywhere. Here is what we know about the bomber the Air Force calls its most important acquisition.
The MiG-31 was designed to catch the SR-71 Blackbird. It is still the fastest fighter in any air force. The Foxhound's Zaslon phased-array radar, the first ever installed in a fighter, can track 10 targets and engage 4 simultaneously at ranges exceeding 200 miles. Here is why Russia still flies a 1980s interceptor, and why the MiG-31BM carrying a Kinzhal hypersonic missile has changed what the aircraft means to modern warfare.
The AC-130J Ghostrider carries a 105mm howitzer, a 30mm chain gun, Hellfire missiles, and precision bombs inside a cargo plane, then flies in a continuous banking turn at 12,000 feet while placing every round inside a 10-meter circle. Here's how the fire control system makes that possible.
An F-22 Raptor has the radar signature of a marble. A B-52 has the radar signature of a barn. The difference comes down to five engineering disciplines: shaping, materials, inlet masking, exhaust design, and the limits of 1970s computing power that explain why the F-117 looks nothing like the B-2.
Three NATO allies spent over $100 billion developing three separate fighters when they could have built one. France built the Rafale for global power projection, four nations built the Typhoon for European air defense, and Sweden built the Gripen for national survival against Russia. Each designed for a fundamentally different war, and each thinks they made the right call.
The Chinook entered service in 1962 and will fly until at least 2060. No other military aircraft in history has been, or will be, that durable.
At $2.1 billion per aircraft, the B-2 Spirit is the most expensive plane ever built. But one B-2 sortie can replace a 75-aircraft strike package, and it has done exactly that in every major conflict since Kosovo. Here's why the Air Force considers it worth every penny.
The F-16 was born from a radical idea: build a fighter that was small, light, and cheap enough to buy in massive numbers. Over 4,600 built, 25+ countries operating it, and an unmatched combat record later, the "cheap fighter" became the most successful Western fighter jet ever produced.
Both nations needed a twin-engine, two-seat fighter that could penetrate enemy air defenses, destroy ground targets, and fight its way home. Russia and America came up with radically different machines.
South Korea went from no indigenous fighter program to first production aircraft in seven years. The F-35 took twenty-five. The KF-21 Boramae costs $65 million. The F-35A costs $80 million. But the numbers alone don't tell you which one wins, because they're not trying to do the same thing.
A missile is inbound. The pilot has 3 seconds. In that window, the aircraft's warning system must detect the threat, classify it, select the right countermeasure (chaff, flares, or a laser that blinds the seeker), and deploy it before impact. Here's how that 3-second battle works.
These 10 aircraft have destroyed more enemy hardware than every other weapon system combined. From the F-22's undefeated exercise record to the A-10's tank-killing legacy, these are the most lethal combat aircraft still in active service.
The AN/APG-78 Longbow radar lets the Apache scan a battlefield, classify 128 targets, and fire 16 fire-and-forget missiles in under 30 seconds -- all while hiding behind a treeline.
The F-22 Raptor has been at war since 2014, dropping hundreds of bombs over Syria, deterring 587 enemy aircraft in a single deployment, and scoring history's highest-altitude air-to-air kill, against a Chinese balloon. Here's the full combat record most people don't know exists.
The AH-64 Apache fired the opening shots of Desert Storm, survived 2,300+ combat hits across three decades of continuous warfare, and still has no true peer among the world's attack helicopters. Here's why, from the helmet-mounted sight to the Hellfire's kill record.
Everyone talks about the F-35's stealth. But pilots who fly it say the real game-changer is sensor fusion, a system that merges radar, infrared cameras, electronic warfare, and datalinks into a single godlike view of the battlefield. Here's how the $400,000 helmet and six hidden cameras give F-35 pilots an awareness advantage no other fighter can match.
The GAU-8/A Avenger is the most powerful autocannon ever mounted on an aircraft, a seven-barrel Gatling gun that fires 65 depleted uranium rounds per second and generates more recoil force than either of the A-10's engines produces in thrust. The aircraft was literally designed around the gun: without it installed, the A-10 tips backward onto its tail. The nose landing gear is offset to starboard because the firing barrel sits on the aircraft's centerline. Every detail of the Thunderbolt II, from its engine placement to its ammunition drum, exists to serve this single weapon.
From Desert Storm's 8,100 sorties to the skies over Syria, the A-10 Thunderbolt II has answered every call. Yet the Air Force has tried to retire it for three decades. Here's why the ugliest plane in the inventory keeps surviving, both in combat and in Congress.
The F-22 Raptor posted a widely reported 241-2 kill ratio at Northern Edge 2006, and the two losses weren't even Raptors. From supercruise missile physics to passive sensor fusion, here's why those numbers aren't propaganda, and what they mean for modern air combat.
The North American X-15 reached Mach 6.7, fast enough to skip off the atmosphere like a stone on water. The SR-71 Blackbird cruised above Mach 3 for hours at a time, outrunning every missile fired at it. From rocket planes to reconnaissance platforms to interceptors built to chase nuclear bombers, these are the ten fastest military aircraft ever to fly, ranked by their maximum recorded speed.
The AC-130J Ghostrider is the latest evolution of the flying gunship, a C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft converted into an airborne weapons platform carrying a 105mm howitzer, a 30mm cannon, precision-guided munitions, and targeting sensors so advanced that its crew can identify individual people from 20,000 feet. It orbits a target for hours, delivering surgical fire support that no other aircraft can match for duration and precision. The gunship concept is uniquely American, and the Ghostrider is its most lethal expression.
Since its combat debut in the 1991 Gulf War, the Tomahawk cruise missile has been the weapon that opens every American military campaign. It is launched from ships and submarines, flies at low altitude for over 1,000 miles, and strikes with GPS-guided precision, all without risking a pilot. Over 2,300 Tomahawks have been fired in combat across seven conflicts. The Block V variant adds a maritime strike capability that can hit moving ships at sea, transforming the Tomahawk from a land-attack weapon into a true multi-role missile.
A nuclear submarine's reactor splits uranium atoms to boil water, drives steam through turbines, and turns a propeller (or, on modern boats, a pump-jet propulsor) all without ever needing air. The reactor on a Virginia-class submarine will run for 33 years without refueling. Only six nations on Earth have mastered this technology.
The AGM-158 JASSM is a stealth cruise missile that gives fighter jets the ability to destroy heavily defended targets from 575 miles away, without ever entering the enemy's air defense envelope. At roughly $1.3 million per missile, it costs less than a Tomahawk and is harder to shoot down. Over 5,000 have been ordered, making it the backbone of American standoff strike.
The Mil Mi-26 is the largest and most powerful helicopter ever to enter production. With a maximum takeoff weight exceeding 123,000 pounds and a cargo cabin the size of a C-130's hold, the Halo operates in a category of one. No Western nation has ever built anything comparable. It has airlifted other helicopters as slung loads, recovered downed aircraft, and hauled military hardware to places no road could reach.
An afterburner can increase a jet engine's thrust by 50-70% in seconds, but at the cost of tripling fuel consumption. It works by injecting raw fuel into the exhaust stream behind the turbine and reigniting it, creating a second combustion zone that superheats the exhaust gases and dramatically increases their velocity. It is the simplest, most brutal, and most fuel-wasteful way to make an aircraft go faster, and for military fighters it is indispensable.
An aircraft carrier launches a 50,000-pound fighter jet from zero to 170 mph in less than two seconds, and recovers it by snagging a cable that decelerates the aircraft from 150 mph to a dead stop in 300 feet. The engineering behind carrier aviation is extraordinary: steam and electromagnetic catapults, arresting gear, angled flight decks, and optical landing systems that guide pilots onto a landing area the size of a tennis court, at night, on a moving ship.
From the moment a rocket launches from Gaza to the moment a Tamir interceptor destroys it midair, Iron Dome has roughly 15 seconds. Here's the engineering that makes that timeline possible, and what happens inside the system during every one of those seconds.
The Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab Gripen represent two radically different European answers to the same question: what fighter should a modern air force buy? The Typhoon is a twin-engine, air superiority powerhouse built by four nations. The Gripen is a small, single-engine, low-cost multirole fighter built by one. Both are excellent aircraft. The debate between them reveals more about defense philosophy than about which jet is "better."
From the Huey's unmistakable rotor thump over Vietnam to the Apache's tank-killing precision over Iraq, military helicopters have transformed how wars are fought. These ten machines defined the rotary-wing era, each one changed what helicopters could do in combat and left a permanent mark on military aviation.
When the Navy asked for a jet attack aircraft weighing 30,000 pounds, Douglas engineer Ed Heinemann delivered one that weighed half that. The A-4 Skyhawk was smaller, lighter, simpler, and cheaper than the Navy specified, and it turned out to be one of the most successful combat aircraft in history, serving with distinction from Vietnam to the Falklands over a career spanning four decades.
Before fly-by-wire, every military aircraft had to be aerodynamically stable, designed so it naturally wanted to fly straight and level. Fly-by-wire broke that constraint entirely. By replacing mechanical control linkages with electronic signals and flight control computers, engineers could design aircraft that were intentionally unstable, impossible for a human to fly unaided, but dramatically more maneuverable with a computer making thousands of corrections per second. The F-16 proved the concept. The F-117 proved it could enable shapes that defied aerodynamics. Every fighter built since owes its existence to this single engineering revolution.
From its controversial debut against Iraqi Scuds in 1991 to shooting down Russian cruise missiles over Ukraine, the Patriot missile system has evolved from an anti-aircraft battery into the Western world's primary air and missile defense system. Here is how it works, how it has performed in combat, and why nations are lining up to buy it.
An ejection seat fires a pilot out of a crippled aircraft, through the canopy or into 600-knot winds, and delivers them safely to the ground, all in less than three seconds. The engineering behind that sequence has saved over 12,000 lives. Here is how it works.
Europe's two most advanced fighter jets were born from the same program, then split apart. The Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale compete for the same export contracts, fly the same NATO missions, and represent two fundamentally different philosophies of how a European fighter should be built.
The U.S. Army picked Bell's V-280 Valor to replace the Black Hawk in the biggest rotorcraft acquisition in decades. The tiltrotor flies twice as fast, twice as far, and fixes the problems that plagued the V-22 Osprey, starting with engine nacelles that don't tilt.
From the propeller-driven Mustang to the radar-invisible Raptor, these ten fighter jets changed air combat forever. We ranked them by combat impact, technological innovation, and lasting influence on everything that followed.
The F-15E Strike Eagle took the world's most dominant air superiority fighter and turned it into a long-range, all-weather strike platform without sacrificing its dogfighting pedigree. Here's how McDonnell Douglas pulled it off.
The AV-8B Harrier II is the only Western tactical jet fighter that could take off vertically, land on a ship, and provide close air support without a runway. For four decades, it gave the Marines something no other service branch had: organic, ship-based fixed-wing air power.
The Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon and Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor represent two very different approaches to air superiority. One prioritizes range, reach, and numbers. The other prioritizes stealth, agility, and dominance in close. Here is how they actually stack up.
The F-35 Lightning II and Su-57 Felon represent fundamentally different approaches to fifth-generation fighter design. One prioritizes stealth and sensor fusion. The other prioritizes speed, range, and raw power. Here is how they actually compare.
Stealth aircraft are not invisible. They are engineered to reflect radar energy away from the receiver using precise shaping, radar-absorbent materials, and careful detail management. Here is the physics behind how it actually works.
The Navy selected Boeing to build the F/A-XX, a next-generation carrier-based fighter designed to replace the aging F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. Here is everything confirmed so far about the program's requirements, timeline, and the Pacific range problem driving its design.
The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) cost $13.3 billion and introduced electromagnetic catapults, advanced arresting gear, and a new nuclear reactor design. After years of development challenges, the Navy's most advanced warship completed its first combat deployment in 2023.
The F-22 Raptor and J-20 Mighty Dragon represent the stealth fighter ambitions of the world's two largest military powers. Here's how they actually compare on stealth, engines, sensors, and combat capability, plus what we still don't know.
More than two years after its first flight, the B-21 Raider is deep into flight testing at Edwards AFB. Here's what we've learned about how Northrop Grumman's next-generation stealth bomber compares to the B-2 Spirit it's replacing, and what it means for the future of American airpower.
The F-47 sixth-gen fighter, AI-controlled CCA drone wingmen, hypersonic missiles, 60kW laser defenses, the M1E3 tank, Columbia-class sub, and FPV kamikaze drones. All in testing or combat now.
The Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft program will pair AI-controlled drones with F-35s and F-47s. Here is how CCA works and why it changes everything.
Boeing's F-47 just entered the rankings as a sixth-generation contender. South Korea's KF-21 rolled off the production line. The J-20 fleet hit 300 aircraft. And the F-35's Block 4 software is still broken. Here are the 10 best fighter jets in the world, updated for 2026.
America now has three stealth fighters in its arsenal. Here is how the sixth-generation F-47 compares to the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II.
The F-47 is the first sixth-generation fighter ever built. Here is what we actually know about the program, the aircraft, and the global competition it was designed to win.
The F-22 dominates dogfights at Mach 2.25 with supercruise. The F-35 does everything else for $91M vs $334M. Full specs, combat roles, avionics, stealth, and why the Air Force needs both.
What aircraft availability actually means and why the numbers are lower than expected.
Military maintenance as the hidden driver of readiness and combat capability.
Fighter jet pricing analysis: why comparing costs across programs is misleading.
How speed's role has evolved from dogfighting to modern beyond-visual-range combat.
The most misunderstood phrase in air combat explained.
Why the A-10 remains in service despite decades of retirement attempts.
How sensor architecture transforms pilot awareness and decision-making.
A detailed comparison of America's and Russia's fifth-generation fighters.
Comparison of two American fighters across generations.
Comparison of two legendary tanks and what their differences reveal.
The German Leopard 2 combines a devastating 120mm cannon, advanced fire control systems, and exceptional mobility to rank among the world's most capable main battle tanks.
Let’s start by agreeing there is no plane like the A-10 Warthog. It’s capable of unleashing an unprecedented level of destruction, making it one of the most fearsome aircraft on…
1. The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American military aviators in the United States armed forces during World War II. 2. In December 1939 they became…
The M1 Abrams honors General Creighton Abrams Jr., a legendary WWII tank commander and Army Chief of Staff who championed the tank's development before his death in 1974.
The A-10 Thunderbolt II earned the nickname 'Warthog' from pilots who thought its ungainly appearance, with a bulbous nose and stubby profile, resembled the African wild pig.
The B-1B Lancer is a supersonic swing-wing bomber built for speed and massive payload, while the B-2 Spirit is a subsonic flying wing designed for stealth penetration of the most heavily defended airspace on Earth. Here's how they compare.
The A-10 Warthog. The official designation for this aircraft is the A-10 Thunderbolt II, named after its illustrious WWII predecessor the P-47 Thunderbolt. However, one interesting A-10 fact is that…
From armored Humvees to Cold War-era tanks, these 25 military vehicles are available for civilian purchase. Here’s what they cost and where to find them.
Manufactured by AM General, the High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle - or Humvee as it is often referred to - is a mobile, four-wheel-drive, diesel tactical vehicle and serves at…
The U.S. Navy’s newest vessel, a guided-missile destroyer named the USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001), commissioned on January 27, 2019. USS Michael Monsoor is the second of three Zumwalt-class destroyers ordered…
As the Vietnam War came to an end, the dating Douglas AC-47 Spooky gunship needed an upgrade. The U.S. Air Force selected the C-130 Hercules airframe as its new gunship because…
The two predominant fighter jets for the two predominant world military powers’ seem like a perfect match. Where the American F-22 Raptor excels, the Russian Su-35 shies away. And where…
From the $80K ScanEagle to the $222M Global Hawk, here are all 35 most expensive military drones ranked by cost with specs, capabilities, and operators.
Any pilot will tell you that you can’t look through the airframe to see what’s beneath you, or behind you, or even sometimes beside you. Honestly, it probably doesn’t even…
Space Force. It sounds like a tribe from the future. But then again, we are currently living in what many people had once envisioned as ‘the future’….
C-17 Globemaster III Measurements Bobbi Zapka The C-17 measures 174 feet long (53 meters) with a wingspan of 169 feet, 10 inches…
The Marine Corps’ bond with the EA-6B Prowler began when it touched down on Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C in 1977. The Prowler replaced the EA-6A Intruder -…
The F-35 Lightning II Was Part Of History’s Biggest Arms Deal 1st Lt. Melissa Heisterberg, U.S. Marine Corps Modern warfare is expensive….
A gallery of iconic images of the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft ever built, capable of cruising at Mach 3.2 at 85,000 feet.
Izumo-Class Helicopter Destroyer the Japanese Marine Self-Defense Forces The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force employs two of the largest warships in the world…
A comprehensive gallery of Lockheed Martin military aircraft, from early patrol bombers to the F-35 Lightning II and beyond, spanning decades of aerospace innovation.
George H.W. Bush (1924-2018) George Bush Presidential Library and Museum Born in Milton, Massachusetts, George H.W. Bush is one of the most…
Air Force One is not a specific aircraft, rather, it is the designation given to any aircraft currently carrying the President of the United States. Typically, that’s the Boeing 747-200B…
Flight demonstrations at air shows across the country remain the most memorable exposure that many Americans have of the U.S. military. The dedicated pilots, air crews and support staff of…
Mil Mi-24 aka “Hind” Aircraft Master Sgt. Steven Turner, U.S. Air Force Country of Origin: Russia Role:…
The F-35 Lightning II has stealth and sensor fusion. The F-16 Fighting Falcon has dogfight agility and costs 1/3 as much to fly. Full comparison: speed, weapons, cost, and which the Air Force prefers.
All in all, there are 19 active aircraft carriers around the world. As you’ll see in this article, the vast majority of those belong to the United States. However, there…
One of the most indelible marks that Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works division, led by engineering legend Chad “Kelly” Johnson, placed on aviation history occurred on July, 29, 1955 when the…
20 military tanks you can legally buy as a civilian in 2026, from $15,000 Scorpions to $2.5M Panzer IVs. Complete prices, legality guide, and where to find them.
Here is every Air Force base in the United States, listed by state. Alabama Maxwell Air Force Base National Agriculture Imagery Program …
From unlimited range to $24 million refrigerators, here are 40 fascinating facts about the most famous aircraft in the world: the presidential Boeing VC-25.
The articles of clothing worn by members of the US Navy have varied greatly over the years. Navy uniforms are designed to properly fit any scenario while maintaining the purpose…
Boeing B-52 Stratofortress US Air Force This American project was first conceived in the immediate wake of the Second World War. The…
First delivered in 1972, the F-15 Eagle is the quintessential U.S. Air Force fighter jet. It’s air superiority reputation is unparalleled. This twin-engine, one-seat (F-15A,C) or two-seat (F-15B,D,E) fighter earns…
Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor Senior Airman Kaylee Dubois, U.S. Air Force Entering service in 1997, the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor quickly set…
A collection of striking images showcasing the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II, the U.S. Air Force's legendary close air support aircraft built around its devastating 30mm GAU-8 Avenger cannon.
Innovation As A Fifth-Generation Fighter The F-35 Lighting II is one of the most innovative military machines ever made, and one of only three fifth-generation fighters in…
Each B-2 Spirit Has Its Own Personality US Air Force With only 21 B-2 Spirits produced, the air crews that work on them…
The latest and greatest products of the U.S. Air Force and its contractors are the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Lightning II. They are alike in so many different ways,…
The F-22 Raptor Uses Thrust Vectoring For Superior Maneuverability Rob Schenk A successful fighter jet allows the pilot to maximize his or…
The F-5 Freedom fighter aircraft represented a breakthrough in air combat technology. It rose to popularity in the 1960s. Its ultra-low radar cross section made the aircraft difficult to spot…
F-15 Pulse Doppler Radar Originally designed by Hughes Aircraft Company (now Raytheon), the AN/APG-63 radar - known more simply as Pulse-Doppler Radar - is one the most relevant and…
From the $23.8M MiG-29 to the $2.1B B-2 Spirit, here are the 25 most expensive military jets and bombers ranked by cost. Updated with 2026 prices, specs, and production numbers.
From Cold War fighter jets to WWII warbirds, these military aircraft are available for civilian purchase. Here's what they cost and where to find them.
In 1903, the Wright brothers achieved the first powered, sustained, and controlled airplane flight, heralding the age of heavier-than-air aviation. More than a century later, aviation has advanced tremendously and…
F-100 Super Sabre USAF The F-100 Super Sabre was America’s answer to the future of air-to-air superiority in the mid-1950s. Equipped with…
Hashima Island, Japan South China Morning Post Formally known as Gunkanjima Island, this tiny piece of land has an incredible history. Believing…
A gallery of images featuring the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, the aerial refueling workhorse that has kept U.S. and allied aircraft flying since the late 1950s.
The C-17 Globemaster III hauls 170,900 lbs and carries an M1 Abrams. The C-130 Hercules lands on dirt strips in 2,500 feet. Complete side-by-side comparison of America's two cargo workhorses.
Stunning images from military aerobatic demonstration teams around the world, showcasing precision flying, tight formations, and the skill of elite military pilots.
Shrouded in secrecy, Lockheed Martin’s F-117 Nighthawk doesn’t follow the normal naming convention of modern jet aircraft. It was purposefully misnamed to help protect the project during its inception in…
Mark Evans Catamarans have long held a beloved place in Naval tradition. Capable of staying mostly above the water, a catarmaran reduces friction with…
The Sukhoi Su-27 was released in 1985 as the Soviet response to an extremely aggressive class of fourth generation air superiority fighters released by the United States - namely the…
Originally created as one of the most versatile aircraft of all time, the F-101 Voodoo cemented its spot in history during reconnaissance missions. However, it also has supersonic fighter, all…
Ever since the end of World War II, Japan has struggled to procure military-grade aircraft and equipment for its relatively small self-defense forces. Tasked with the impossible, guarding nearly 30,000…
A collection of striking images featuring the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, the twin-engine air superiority fighter with an undefeated air-to-air combat record.
The F-15 Eagle is an air superiority jet fighter with an unparalleled record of performance in air-to-air combat. The first F-15 Eagle took off in 1972 and is actively maintained…
The F-22 Raptor is widely regarded as the most advanced air superiority fighter ever built. Combining stealth, supercruise, and integrated avionics, it defines fifth-generation air dominance.
The HH-60G Pave Hawk is the U.S. Air Force’s only dedicated combat search and rescue helicopter. Few other helicopters are capable of penetrating heavily contested airspace or extreme weather conditions…
The Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is a specialized carrier-based aircraft whose primary mission is battlespace mission command and control, as well as early warning detection. Initially released in the late…
The Northrop Grumman T-38 Talon Jet Trainer is a twin-engine, high-altitude, supersonic jet trainer used primarily by the U.S. Air Force for joint specialized undergraduate pilot training. Between 1959 and…
The first flight of the B-29 Superfortress was on the 21st of September, 1942. Produced by Boeing, the Superfortress was considered to be the most advanced bomber aircraft of its…
Images of the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper, the hunter-killer drone that transformed modern warfare with its ability to conduct surveillance and precision strikes remotely.
Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multi-role, single-engine fighter aircraft used frequently in air superiority missions as well as close air support. It is considered a fourth generation fighter…
The Bell UH-1 Iroquois Helicopter, nicknamed the “Huey,” was built in 1959 for the United States Army by Bell Corporation. Originally known as the Bell HU-1, it was designed to…
The CH-47 Chinook is a heavy-lift helicopter produced by Boeing and named for the Chinook tribe of Native Americans. Since its inception, the CH-47 aircraft has served in nearly every major…
At first glance, Boeing’s KC-135 Stratotanker may seem like a humble flying gas station, but this unarmed aircraft is one of the most powerful “force multipliers” in the US Air…
Every modern conventional army is becoming increasingly reliant on unmanned aerial vehicles. These unmanned drones can come in nearly all shapes and sizes. From man-portable units to high-altitude surveillance drones,…
The F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter is more than just the most expensive weapons procurement program in world history. The goal is to bring science fiction to life and field…
The Panavia Tornado is a variable-sweep wing multirole combat aircraft developed jointly by the UK, Germany, and Italy. First flying in 1974, it became a cornerstone of European air defense.
Although older than most of the pilots flying it, the Panavia Tornado is still the most popular strike fighter throughout Europe. In fact, there are twice as many Tornadoes in…
For the past four decades, the Lockheed SR-71 “Blackbird” owns the record for fastest aircraft in the world. But without the trials and tribulations of its younger sibling, the experimental…
The F-8 Crusader is commonly referred to as the ‘Last American Gunfighter’ amongst aviation experts. It’s a single engine air superiority jet fighter designed to take off and land from…
Lockheed produced the first jet fighter to enter service at the end of World War II, the P-80. It was short lived in a world of rapidly advancing aeronautics. The…
Late in November of 1950, not long after the Korean Conflict began, a U.S. Air Force B-29 Superfortress was damaged by a MiG-15 during an attack on an airbase in…
A collection of images featuring the Bell UH-1 Iroquois, universally known as the Huey -- the helicopter that became the defining symbol of the Vietnam War.
A gallery of images showcasing the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk, the versatile utility helicopter that has served as the U.S. Army's primary medium-lift platform since the 1970s.
Manufactured by Bell Helicopter, the AH-1 Cobra was developed in the 1960s as an armed compliment to the UH-1 Iroquois (affectionately known as the Huey). The Vietnam War saw the…
The B-2 Spirit is a stealth bomber produced by Northrop Grumman. With its flying wing design and radar-evading technology, it remains one of the most advanced military aircraft ever built.
Images of the McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender, the aerial refueling tanker that extended the global reach of American airpower for over four decades.
The Sukhoi Su-35, designated as ‘Flanker-E’ by NATO, is a Russian-made single seat, twin-engine multirole fighter. It is based on the previous existing design of the Su-27 Flanker. The Su-35…
The AH-64 Apache is an attack helicopter produced by Boeing Defense used in close air support operations. It operates through the use of a twin engine turboshaft identical to the…
The E-9A Widget is one of the Air Force’s least flashy aircraft, but is still quite important to national security. The twin turboprop E-9A is primarily employed by the US…
The F-14 Tomcat was produced by Northrup Grumman to be the United States Navy’s premier Fleet Air Defense (FAD). It was a two-seat, twin-engine fighter aircraft capable of long distance…
The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is not a run-of-the-mill cargo hauler. Capable of lugging 80 tons-three M2 Bradley IFVs-of oversized cargo and setting down on short, unpaved runways a world…
A collection of images featuring the Boeing CH-47 Chinook, the tandem-rotor heavy-lift helicopter that has been the backbone of military logistics since the 1960s.
The Dassault Rafale is France’s multi-role fighter. After years of development (beginning in 1985), first delivery of operational Rafales began in 2000 with their naval variant, the Rafale M. The…
Officially adopted for fleet use in 2008, the EA-18G “Growler” represents the new age in electronic aircraft technology. It is the Navy’s first electronic warfare aircraft with a new design…
The B-1B Lancer, produced by Rockwell Industries, is a variable swept-wing, long-range strategic bomber aircraft. It was initially designed to take over for the B-52 Stratofortress but revised design transformed…
The Chinese Chengdu J-20 “Black Eagle” is a twin-engine, multi-role, fifth-generation strike fighter jet. Its main role is expected to be a long-range strike fighter against primarily ground targets but…
Often dubbed an “AWACS for ground pounders,” the Northrop Grumman E-8 Joint STAR provides the US military an unmatchable God’s eye view of a battlespace up to 19,305 square miles…
The MiG-21, known by its NATO moniker as the Fishbed, is a single engine jet fighter produced by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau as an improvement on prior generations of the…
When the MiG-25 entered the air for the first time, it was in the middle of the Vietnam conflict and American strategists were worried a new Soviet fighter aircraft would…
The Perspektivnyi Aviatsionnyi Kompleks Frontovoi Aviatsyi T-50 is the full name of this fifth generation stealth fighter. It first officially hit the skies in 2010 with a focus on air…
The VH-71 Kestrel is a medium transport helicopter used most famously by the United States Marine Corps for their presidential transport aircraft fleet. The United States Navy contracted out to…
One of the first in many generation of American fighter-bomber jets, the North American F-100 Super Sabre was a single engine aircraft extensively used from 1954 to 1971 by the…
Few aircraft have ever had such a game-changing impact on a war as the American P-51 Mustang. This ultra-maneuverable and long-range fighter was one of the first true multi-role combat…
The AV-8B Harrier II is a progression of the British design for the Hawker Siddley Harrier. This single engine light attack aircraft is capable of short and vertical take-offs and…
The Boeing E-3 Sentry is far more than just an airborne radar. Nicknamed the “Eye in the Sky” by many pilots, this airborne warning and control system (AWACS) is a…
Dramatic images capturing military aircraft breaking the sound barrier, producing the iconic vapor cone that forms around jets as they exceed Mach 1.
The Boeing P-8 Poseidon is far deadlier than its unimposing “maritime patrol aircraft” designation would suggest. This next-generation warplane is the US Navy’s premier sub-hunter, surface ship killer and spy…
Before the Hurricane and the Harrier, Sir Sydney Camm of the United Kingdom drew up plans for perhaps one of the most versatile British fighter jets to date: the Hawker…
The UH-60 Black Hawk is a medium utility helicopter used for a wide variety of applications including troop transport and medical evacuations. Since its introduction in 1979, the UH-60 has…
Lockheed’s F-104 Starfighter is perhaps the best example of what happens when the drawing board goes to the flight deck with absolutely no checks and balances along the way. Sleek,…
Generals have always sought to accomplish their objectives while losing as few men as possible. With the advent of unmanned aerial aircraft, the common soldier is now given an unprecedented…
When the Soviet Union developed their Mil M-24 attack helicopter in the late 1960’s, they wanted a military helicopter that could provide close air support to ground troops and still…
The U-28A is an example of Special Operations Command thinking “outside the box”. When the Air Force Special Operation Command identified the need for a limited number of specialized fixed…
In the waning days of World War II, the US military rushed four hush-hush experimental fighters without propellers to the European front. Unbeknownst to the bewildered ground crews arming them,…
The Spitfire is more than just the most iconic fighter in British history. In the bleak days early days of WWII when the UK stood alone against the Nazi’s, the…
Allied and Axis forces produced the first generation of jet fighter aircraft in the waning days of World War II. The US Air Force continued to develop jet aircraft in…
Boeing’s B-52 long-range strategic bomber is not only one of the most iconic symbols of the Cold War; it’s also the longest-serving combat aircraft in any major nation’s arsenal. Since…
The F/A-18E/F is an evolved F/A-18 meant to operate off of an aircraft carrier and perform a variety of fighter roles. It can be equipped for almost any type of…
The Eurofighter Typhoon is a twin engine multirole fighter designed by a consortium of aeronautic companies lead by Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH. It features a unique canard delta wing configuration and…
Don’t be fooled by the MC-12W’s humble commuter plane façade. This little turboprop is one of the military’s most valuable spies. The MC-12W Liberty maintains a next-generation sensor suite, giving…
The bug-eyed OV-1 Mohawk was far more dangerous than the tame “observation aircraft” designation would suggest. As one of the rare fixed-wing aircraft operated by the US Army, Mohawks were…
Russia is producing a new-age combat suit with a “powered exoskeleton” at the University of Science and Technology in Moscow called the Ratnik 3. The innovative Ratnik…
Currently in development and projected to be fielded in 2019, the Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion is the newest aircraft in the CH-53 line. It is a large, heavy lift cargo…
Images of the Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion and Super Stallion, the U.S. Marine Corps' heavy-lift helicopters designed for amphibious assault and large-scale cargo transport.
A gallery showcasing Boeing's military aircraft lineup, from the F/A-18 Super Hornet to the KC-46 tanker, highlighting decades of aerospace innovation and defense capability.
The Lockheed-Martin U-2 Dragon Lady has been flying high altitude reconnaissance missions since 1955. There’s a reason the U.S. Air Force has kept this spy plane in the air for…
A gallery of NASA experimental aircraft, from the X-43A scramjet to other boundary-pushing designs that advanced the science of flight and aerospace engineering.
Images of the Northrop T-38 Talon, the supersonic jet trainer that has prepared generations of U.S. Air Force pilots for advanced fighter and bomber aircraft.
The A-10 Thunderbolt II (Warthog) may be slow and old, but this dedicated close air support aircraft is still an infantryman’s best friend… and the enemy’s worst nightmare. First fielded…
When the Air Force set out requirements to make a Long Range Strike Bomber (LRSB) for the 21st century, Northrup Grumman developed the B-21 Raider. The name of the bomber…
A thoroughbred, a workhorse, a mainstay, a cornerstone, a pillar - whatever phrase you prefer to describe something as hard-working and long-lasting can be applied to the P-3 Orion. The…
Who says the age of air superiority fighters is over? Certainly not Saab. Their latest high-tech aircraft is the Saab Gripen. Featuring a sleek delta wing shape and an aggressive…
One of the largest military transport aircraft in the world, Lockheed-Martin’s C-5 Galaxy can transport a little less than half a million pounds of cargo and people. It’s one of…
The United States Navy needed an all-weather carrier-based attack aircraft. The Douglas A-1 Skyraider did its job in the Korean War, but they desired a new aircraft with twin jet…
The General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper drone is more than just a larger and better armed cousin of the iconic Predator drone; General Atomics designed “The Reaper” from the ground up as an unparalleled…
Stunning images of the Blue Angels, the United States Navy's elite flight demonstration squadron known for their precision aerobatics and tight formation flying.
The L-39 Albatros is a conventional jet fighter trainer produced by Aero out of Czechoslovakia. Although not a war fighting aircraft, the Albatros was extensively sold to Warsaw Pact nations…
A collection of historic images honoring the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American military aviators in the U.S. Armed Forces who fought with distinction in World War II.
The Dassault Mirage 2000 D/N is much more than the French answer to the American F-16 Fighting Falcon. Prized for its low-cost and ease of maintenance, this delta-wing tactical bomber…
The DDG-1000 Zumwalt is not just the latest addition to the US Navy’s fleet, it’s the first in a revolutionary new class of next-generation warships. These aren’t simply improved versions…
Dubbed the Fulcrum by NATO, the Mikoyan MiG-29 is the culmination of nearly two decades worth of Soviet aeronautic advances. A twin-engine air superiority aircraft, the MiG-29 is considered to…
A gallery of images showcasing the Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye, the carrier-based airborne early warning aircraft that serves as the eyes of the fleet.
Images of the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, the revolutionary tiltrotor aircraft that combines the vertical capability of a helicopter with the speed and range of a turboprop airplane.
There is perhaps no aircraft more famous, especially during World War II, than the B-25. Its high-rate of production, versatility, and use by several Allied countries makes it one of…
A gallery of images showcasing the North American B-25 Mitchell, the iconic World War II medium bomber made famous by the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo in 1942.
A gallery of images featuring the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk, the high-altitude unmanned surveillance aircraft capable of flying for over 30 hours at 60,000 feet.
First shown in 2012 at the China Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition with a ¼ scale model, the J-31 Falcon-Hawk appears, at first glance, to be China’s answer to America’s new…
Grumman’s F9F Panther marks one of the earliest jet-powered single engine aircraft to be used exclusively from a naval aircraft carrier. Up until the F9F’s initial release in 1949, the…
A nostalgic collection of images featuring vintage and retired military aircraft, from Cold War-era jets to propeller-driven warbirds preserved in museums and air shows.
The F-4 Phantom II is a multirole attack fighter-bomber developed for use for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. It is the product of nearly a decade of development from…
‘When I was in the Navy’… Is it just us? Or did the Navy always have really cool ships? This meme is an ode to #FlashBackFriday. What better way…
Nothing beats a classic National Guard meme. These 15 are the funniest on the internet, and you’re going to love them - as long as you love military memes that…
Firing Position Let’s dive into our first Marines meme. The most common position of shooting for Marines is the kneeling position. So it may be a mistake for someone…
Nothing beats a good Coast Guard meme, huh? There’s a whole bunch of hilarious military memes out there, and we’ve picked our favorite 15 Coast Guard memes. Enjoy! …
Nothing better than a funny Army meme! You’re going to love these inside jokes and hilarious Army memes…#2 is our favorite. Enjoy! Running In The…
Of all the military memes out there, we’re quite partial to any and every Air Force meme. These are just too good! We know you’ll enjoy on these. …
The Soviet Union Helped Create The SR-71, Unknowingly NASA The specific ore, utile ore, used to create titanium is found in few…
Is the Vietnam Rock Ape a myth, a hard fact, or somewhere in between? Decide for yourself… Alfonso Villareal, nicknamed “Pancho,” served in…
