Military aircraft

Amilitary aircraftis anyfixed-wingorrotary-wing aircraftthat is operated by a legal or insurrectionarymilitaryof any type.^[1]Military aircraft can be either combat or non-combat:

Combat aircraft,such asfightersandbombers,are designed to destroy enemy equipment or personnel using their ownaircraft ordnance.^[1]Combat aircraft are typically developed and procured only by military forces.
Non-combat aircraft,such astransportsandtankersare not designed for combat as their primary function, but may carry weapons for self-defense. These mainly operate in support roles, and may be developed by either military forces or civilian organizations.

History

Lighter-than-air

In 1783, when the first practical aircraft (hot-air and hydrogen balloons) were established, they were quickly adopted for military duties.^[2]The first military balloon unit was theFrench Aerostatic Corps,who in 1794 flew anobservation balloonduring theBattle of Fleurus,the first major battle to feature aerial observation.^[3]Balloons continued to be used throughout the 19th century, including in theNapoleonic Warsand theFranco-Prussian War,for observation andpropagandadistribution.^[4]DuringWorld War I,GermanZeppelin airshipscarried out multipleair raidson British cities, as well as being used for observation.^[4]In the 1920s, theU.S. Navyacquired severalnon-rigid airships,the first one to see service being theK-1in 1931. Use by the U.S. as well as other countries continued intoWorld War II.The U.S. Navy retired its last balloons in 1963.^[5]Only a handful of lighter-than-air military aircraft were used since, such as theAmerican Blimp MZ-3,used forresearch and developmentby the U.S. Navy from 2006 to 2017.

Heavier-than-air

Soon after the first flight of theWright Flyer,several militaries became interested in powered aircraft. In 1909 theUnited States Armypurchased theWright Military Flyer,a two-seat observation aircraft, for theAeronautical Division, U.S. Signal Corps.It served until 1911, by which time powered aircraft had become an important feature in several armies around the world.^[6]Airplanes performedaerial reconnaissanceandtactical bombingmissions in theItalo-Turkish war,and theFirst Balkan Warsaw the first naval-air operations. Photoreconnaissance andpropagandaleaflet drops followed in theSecond Balkan War.

Air combat was a notable component of World War I, as fighter aircraft were developed during the war, long-range strategic bombing became a possibility,^[7]and airplanes were deployed fromaircraft carriers.Airplanes also took on a greater variety of support roles, notablymedical evacuation,and deployed new weapons likeair-to-air rocketsfor use against reconnaissance balloons.^[8] Aviation technology advanced rapidly in the interwar period, and military aircraft became increasingly capable.Autogyrosandhelicopterswere also developed at this time.^{[citation needed]} During World War II, military aviation reached new heights. Decisive air battles influenced the outcome of the war, early jet aircraft flew combat missions,cruise missilesandballistic missileswere deployed for the first time, airborne troops and cargo parachuted into battle, and thenuclear weaponsthat ended the war were delivered by air.

In theCold Warera, aviation technology continued to advance at an extremely rapid pace. Jet aircraft exceededMach 1and Mach 2, armament focus switched mainly to missiles, aircraft began carrying more sophisticated avionics,air-to-air refuelingmatured into practicality, and transport aircraft grew in size.Stealth aircraftentered development during the 1970s and saw combat in the 1980s.

Combat

AnF-35 Lightning II multirole stealth fighteroperated by theIsraeli Air Force

Combat aircraft, or "warplanes", are divided broadly intofighters,bombers,attackers,electronic warfare,maritime,multirole,andunmannedaircraft. Variations exist between them, includingfighter-bombers,such as theMiG-23 ground-attack aircraftand the SovietIlyushin Il-2.Also included among combat aircraft are long-rangemaritime patrol aircraft,such as theHawker Siddeley Nimrodand theS-3 Vikingthat are often equipped to attack withanti-ship missilesandanti-submarine weapons.

Fighters

The primary role of fighters is destroying enemy aircraft in air-to-air combat, as part of both offensive and defensive counter air operations. Many fighters also possess a degree of ground attack capability, allowing them to perform surface attack and close air support missions. In addition to their counter air duties they are tasked to perform escort mission for bombers or other aircraft. Fighters are capable of carrying a variety of weapons, including machine guns, autocannons,rockets,guided missiles, andbombs.Many modern fighters can attack enemy fighters from a great distance, before the enemy even sees or detects them. Examples of such fighters include theF-35 Lightning II,F-22 Raptor,F-15 Eagle,andSu-27.

Bombers

Bombers are normally larger, heavier, and less maneuverable than fighter aircraft. They are capable of carrying large payloads of bombs, torpedoes or cruise missiles. Bombers are used almost exclusively for ground attacks and are not fast or agile enough to take on enemy fighters head-to-head. Some have a single engine and require one pilot to operate, while others have two or more engines and require crews of two or more. A limited number of bombers, such as theB-2 Spirit,havestealthcapabilities that keep them from being detected by enemy radar. An example of a conventional modern bomber would be theB-52 Stratofortress.An example of a World War II bomber would be aB-17 Flying Fortress.An example of a World War I bomber would be aHandley Page O/400.Bombers includelight bombers,medium bombers,heavy bombers,dive bombers,andtorpedo bombers.

Attack aircraft

Attack aircraft can be used to provide support for friendly ground troops. Some are able to carry conventional ornuclear weaponsfar behind enemy lines to strike priority ground targets.Attack helicopters attack enemy armorand provideclose air supportfor ground troops. An example of a historical ground-attack aircraft is the SovietIlyushin Il-2.Several types of transport airplanes have been armed with sideways firing weapons asgunshipsfor ground attack. These include theAC-47andAC-130gunships.

Electronic warfare

An electronic warfare aircraft is a military aircraft equipped forelectronic warfare,i.e. degrading the effectiveness of enemy radar and radio systems. They are generally modified versions of other preexisting aircraft. A recent example would be theEA-18G Growler,which is a modified version of theF/A-18F Super Hornet.^[9]

Maritime patrol

A maritime patrol aircraft is a fixed-wing military aircraft designed to operate for long durations over water in maritime patrol roles—in particularanti-submarine,anti-ship,andsearch and rescue.Some patrol aircraft were designed for this purpose, like theKawasaki P-1.^[10]Many others are modified designs of pre-existing aircraft, such as theBoeing P-8 Poseidon,which is based on theBoeing 737-800airliner.^[11]While the term maritime patrol aircraft generally refers to fixed wing aircraft, other aircraft types, such as blimps and helicopters, have also been used in the same roles.

Multirole

Many combat aircraft in the modern day have multirole capabilities. Normally only applied to fixed-wing aircraft, the term signifies the ability to transition between air-to-air and air-to-ground roles, sometimes even during the same mission. An example of a multirole design is theF-15E Strike Eagle,Eurofighter Typhoon,the Rafale DassaultandPanavia Tornado.A World War II example would be theP-38 Lightning.^[12]Autility helicoptercould also count as a multirole aircraft and can fill roles such asclose-air support,air assault,military logistics,CASEVAC,medical evacuation,command and control,andtroop transport.^[13]

Unmanned

Unmanned combat aerial vehicles(UCAV) have no crew, but are controlled by a remote operator. They may have varying degrees ofautonomy.UCAVs are often armed withbombs,air-to-surface missiles,or otheraircraft ordinance.Their uses typically includetargeted killings,precision airstrikes,andair interdictions,as well as other forms ofdrone warfare.

Non-combat

Non-combat roles of military aircraft includesearch and rescue,reconnaissance,observation/surveillance,Airborne Early Warning and Control,transport,training,andaerial refueling.

Many civil aircraft, both fixed wing and rotary wing, have been produced in separate models for military use, such as the civilianDouglas DC-3airliner, which became the militaryC-47 Skytrain,and British "Dakota" transport planes, and decades later, the USAF'sAC-47 Spookygunships. Even the fabric-covered two-seatPiper J-3 Cubhad a military version.Glidersandballoonshave also been used as military aircraft; for example, balloons were used for observation during theAmerican Civil Warand duringWorld War I,andmilitary gliderswere used duringWorld War IIto deliver ground troops inairborne assaults.

Military transport

Military transport (logistics) aircraft are primarily used to transport troops and war supplies. Cargo can be attached to pallets, which are easily loaded, secured for flight, and quickly unloaded for delivery. Cargo also may be discharged from flying aircraft onparachutes,eliminating the need for landing. Also included in this category areaerial tankers;these planes can refuel other aircraft whilein flight.An example of a transport aircraft is theC-17 Globemaster III.A World War II example would be theC-47.An example of a tanker craft would be theKC-135 Stratotanker.Transport helicoptersandgliderscan transport troops and supplies to areas where other aircraft would be unable to land. Calling a military transport aircraft a "cargo plane" is inaccurate, because military transport planes are able to carryparatroopersand other personnel.

Airborne early warning and control

An airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system is an airborne radar system designed to detect aircraft, ships and ground vehicles at long ranges and control and command the battle space in an air engagement by directing fighter and attack aircraft strikes. AEW&C units are also used to carry out surveillance, including over ground targets and frequently perform C2BM (command and control, battle management) functions similar to an Airport Traffic Controller given military command over other forces. Used at a high altitude, the radars on the aircraft allow the operators to distinguish between friendly and hostile aircraft hundreds of miles away.

AEW&C aircraft are used for both defensive and offensive air operations, and are to the NATO and American trained or integrated air forces what thecombat information centeris to anaval vessel,plus a highly mobile and powerful radar platform. The system is used offensively to direct fighters to their target locations, and defensively in order to counterattacks by enemy forces, both air and ground. So useful is the advantage of command and control from a high altitude, the United States Navy operates AEW&C aircraft off its Supercarriers to augment and protect its carriercombat information center(CICs).

AEW&C is also known by the older terms "airborne early warning" (AEW) and "airborne warning and control system" (AWACS, /ˈeɪwæks/ ay-waks) although AWACS is the name ofa specific systemcurrently used by NATO and the USAF and is often used in error to describe similar systems.

Reconnaissance and surveillance

Reconnaissance aircraft are primarily used to gather intelligence. They are equipped with cameras and other sensors. These aircraft may be specially designed or may be modified from a basic fighter or bomber type. This role is increasingly being filled bymilitary satellitesandunmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs).

Surveillance and observation aircraft use radar and other sensors for battlefield surveillance,airspace surveillance,maritime patrol,andartillery spotting.They include modified civil aircraft designs, moored balloons and UAVs.

Experimental

Experimental aircraft are designed in order to test advanced aerodynamic, structural, avionic, or propulsion concepts. These are usually well instrumented, with performance data telemetered on radio-frequency data links to ground stations located at the test ranges where they are flown. An example of an experimental aircraft is theBristol 188.

References

^^a ^bGunston 1986, p. 274
^Guilmartin, John F., Jr. "Military Aircraft." Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica, n.d. Web. 11 May 2015 (March 2015)
^"History of Balloons in Warfare".bbrclub.Retrieved2019-02-25.
^^a ^b"Aerial warfare during World War One".The British Library.Retrieved2019-02-25.
^"balloons in World War 2".www.century-of-flight.net.Retrieved2019-02-25.
^"The World's First Military Airplane".National Air and Space Museum.2009-07-23.Retrieved2019-02-25.
^Munson, Kenneth (2004).Bombers: patrol and reconnaissance aircraft 1914-1919.London: Bounty Books.ISBN 0-7537-0918-X.OCLC 56387422.
^"A brief history of rocketry".NASA Spacelink.Archivedfrom the original on 5 August 2006.Retrieved2006-08-19.
^EA-18G GrowlerBoeingRetrieved January 20, 2016
^Kawasaki P-1Kawasaki Aerospace CompanyRetrieved January 20, 2017
^P-8 PoseidonBoeingRetrieved January 20, 2017
^Dwyer, Larry (17 September 1997). "Lockheed P38 Lightning".The Aviation History Online Museum
^"Utility helicopter".

Gunston, Bill (1986).Jane's Aerospace Dictionary.London, England: Jane's Publishing Company Limited.ISBN 0-7106-0365-7.

External links

Media related toMilitary aircraftat Wikimedia Commons

[gunston-1] Gunston 1986, p. 274

[2] Guilmartin, John F., Jr. "Military Aircraft." Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica, n.d. Web. 11 May 2015 (March 2015)

[3] "History of Balloons in Warfare".bbrclub.Retrieved2019-02-25.

[bl.uk-4] "Aerial warfare during World War One".The British Library.Retrieved2019-02-25.

[5] "balloons in World War 2".www.century-of-flight.net.Retrieved2019-02-25.

[6] "The World's First Military Airplane".National Air and Space Museum.2009-07-23.Retrieved2019-02-25.

[7] Munson, Kenneth (2004).Bombers: patrol and reconnaissance aircraft 1914-1919.London: Bounty Books.ISBN 0-7537-0918-X.OCLC 56387422.

[8] "A brief history of rocketry".NASA Spacelink.Archivedfrom the original on 5 August 2006.Retrieved2006-08-19.

[9] EA-18G GrowlerBoeingRetrieved January 20, 2016

[10] Kawasaki P-1Kawasaki Aerospace CompanyRetrieved January 20, 2017

[11] P-8 PoseidonBoeingRetrieved January 20, 2017

[12] Dwyer, Larry (17 September 1997). "Lockheed P38 Lightning".The Aviation History Online Museum

[13] "Utility helicopter".

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