Questions tagged [military]
For questions relating to military aviation or possible effects of a country's military on other forms of aviation.
595
questions
3
votes
1answer
216 views
What are the pros and cons of high service ceilings for fighter jets?
What are the pros and cons of high service ceilings for fighter jets?
Can they bypass radars and attack effectively at high ceilings?
0
votes
1answer
141 views
Military paintjobs matte for airshow also?
Combat aircraft are painted in a matte paint to prevent them from reflecting moon/sunlight too much.
But what about liveries used for airshows? Those colorful paintjobs, are they also always matte, ...
0
votes
1answer
140 views
Unusual Traffic Ene 68 degrees over Dorset United Kingdom - No strobes, green or red just solid white lights
I have spotted a line of traffic 1 minute apart, at least 12 objects, with 3 objects to the left and right of the main line of traffic. Clear night, no pollution, no noise, whit solid lights only. I ...
1
vote
1answer
140 views
What is (or was) the “international frequency”?
I have recently read a book about Douglas BADER. This pilot has lost his legs (because of accident in 1931) but after (thanks to his single-mindedness) he takes up the "broomstick" again and became a ...
2
votes
0answers
100 views
What advantage does Kawasaki C-2 have with a twin-engine configuration as compared to its competitors like An-70 or A-400?
While reading about various military transports, I came across the specs of Kawasaki C-2 and a few questions popped up. So please bear with me here if I list them all together as points, I hope ...
9
votes
1answer
923 views
Why can military aircraft descend below the DA / MDA during an instrument approach?
According to §91.175(c)
Except as provided §91.176 of this chapter, where a DA/DH or MDA is applicable, no pilot may operate an aircraft, except a military aircraft of the United States, below the ...
0
votes
1answer
61 views
Procedure for simulating nonlinear flight dynamics
I am trying to simulate F/A-18 Hornet on Simulink. So, here is how I have made the model:
Firstly, the initial flight parameters(Alpha, beta, V(magnitude), rho) are being calculated based on the ...
2
votes
3answers
287 views
Is it possible to use refrigeration technology to cool the skin of supersonic aircraft?
The fastest air breathing aircraft, the Blackbird SR71 flew at speeds above Mach 3. Its engines could achieve much higher speeds but were limited by the aircraft's skin which would melt due to ...
13
votes
3answers
628 views
What are these pipes on an Avro Vulcan?
As you can see above, there are two small pipes next to the main engine exhausts on this Avro Vulcan(the one at Duxford). I'm curious what these pipes are/what they are for. Are they fuel dump pipes? ...
16
votes
3answers
3k views
Did people really hand-start big bombers in WWII?
I am not a pilot so I don't know anything about hand starting propeller aircraft. But I wonder how easily can the propeller fire up unexpectedly during the procedure even if it's done right. Whenever ...
5
votes
2answers
358 views
Credible Sport Project: Is it possible to revive the idea with modern avionics?
Synopsis: On a secret mission to rescue 52 hostages in Iran, Operation Credible Sport was created. The project consisted of a modified Lockheed C-130 Hercules and developed so that it would be able to ...
16
votes
2answers
6k views
How do helicopters avoid detection from enemies by using IR suppressors?
no IR suppressor
IR suppressor
All I know is that it blends the hot air before releasing it How does an IR suppressor help an aircraft avoid detection from a missile? Wouldn’t the entire ...
0
votes
2answers
201 views
I want to be a French fighter pilot. Any advice? [closed]
Hello everyone!
I want to be a French fighter pilot and I would like some advice from retired fighter pilots about how you should do things if you were at the same age as you were when you entered ...
1
vote
2answers
190 views
Can a CIWS engage aerial targets?
Can a Phalanx-type Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) engage small aerial targets like drones, UAVs, rotorcraft? Is there any case that Phalanx was used against aerial targets?
1
vote
0answers
151 views
What are the unique shapes of the weapons control switches in a F-14?
In his answer to the question Muscle memory for weapons systems? Michael Hall mentioned "'blind fold cockpit checks'... (learning to) locate certain switches by feel, reinforcing muscle memory to both ...
0
votes
1answer
194 views
Can the F4 Phantom II pilot control weapons?
In the F4 Phantom I, can the pilot in the front seat control the weaponry as well, or do they only fly the aircraft?
And can the weapons officer in the back fly the aircraft in emergencies, e.g. if ...
1
vote
1answer
155 views
Muscle memory for weapons systems?
How often do military pilots train to retain muscle memory for use of weapons systems?
0
votes
1answer
188 views
What color are cockpit weapons control?
Forgive my ignorance in my wording of this question.
I assume the weapons control in a military aircraft cockpit are colored differently from other instruments the pilots has to look at considering U....
24
votes
1answer
6k views
What is this aircraft with a crew member in an exposed nose compartment?
Possibly from around 1935, possibly involving one of the two airplane-supplying-powers in the Spanish Civil war.
(Seen in a documentary about the 20th century inter-war era...it's only onscreen for a ...
1
vote
1answer
162 views
Why do I never see fighter jets on sites like FlighRadar24 and ADBSExchange.com [duplicate]
On ADS-B Exchange they even have a filter option for military aircraft, and it will show all kinds of transport, mid-air refuelers, helicopters, and even training aircraft like the Texan, but I don't ...
1
vote
1answer
111 views
MIL-PRF-5606J, What does “J” means? Does it equal to MIL-PRF-5606?
MIL-PRF-5606J, What does "J" means? Does it equal to MIL-PRF-5606?
Please let me know it they are same specification or not.
5
votes
2answers
1k views
How do dummy bombs simulate real bombs in training when they're so much smaller?
This picture shows a couple of Mk-76 25lb (11kg) Inert Training Bombs on a McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II; it's clear that the physical characteristics of the dummy bomb are quite different to ...
1
vote
2answers
137 views
How should airline pilots find out about military activity along their route?
What sources of information should a commercial pilot review before takeoff to become aware of military activity that might pose a risk to their flight?
0
votes
0answers
52 views
Why do civil aviation aircraft not routinely carry missile defense systems? [duplicate]
With all the incidents with civil aircraft and missiles, why do civil aircraft not carry flares and other defensive measures by default? If official aircraft carry them it is technically possible to ...
4
votes
1answer
240 views
Why were the F-35B lift fan doors changed after flight testing?
Why were the F-35's lift fan doors redesigned from those used during flight tests? The original design had two main doors which opened to each side, rather than the “car hood” style door used in ...
30
votes
3answers
14k views
Is the F-16 cockpit pressurized?
Is the F-16's cockpit pressurized? If so, why does the pilot receive oxygen from the mask (please state the correct terminology for this)? Is it due to redundancy in case cabin pressurization fails?
3
votes
0answers
97 views
What are the differences between foward air controllers in US military?
US Military has forward air controllers that join the forces on the front line and help them communicate with aircraft on the battelfield.
I found several Wikipedia articles describing such position, ...
2
votes
2answers
244 views
Why do jet nozzles close at different rates?
After recently seeing the trailer for Top Gun 2, I was reminded of something that I always wondered about: why do the nozzles of some jet aircraft seem to close at different rates?
Sure, it's likely ...
1
vote
4answers
347 views
F-16 low speed SAM avoidance tactics?
After having watched the rather horrible yet fascinating F-16 avoiding multiple SAM launches:
I'm left wondering why he doesn't increase his speed? There are, ...
26
votes
1answer
5k views
Why do some AFBs have planes parked at 45 degrees to others?
I'm assuming this is just a matter of available space but it seems you could get 4 across all aligned but maybe there is another reason. The image is from McGuire AFB but I've seen this on other AFBs.
5
votes
1answer
1k views
What is this aircraft and its submarine?
I got this picture from an anonymous source and I'm curious to learn more about its mission and I want to know if it's a genuine picture. It happens to be a submarine aircraft carrier.
1
vote
1answer
131 views
Is it possible to be a pilot for both the RAF and a Commercial company?
I have always wanted to be a pilot for both the RAF and Commercial airlines.
Would it be possible for me to serve, for say 6 months in the RAF, and then when not deployed work as a commercial pilot. ...
-4
votes
1answer
175 views
How moral are military aviation patents [closed]
I was reading about F-35's version that can take of vertically and it's mentioned that they are using a patented technology by Rolls-Royce called Fanlift and Liftsystem which brings me the questions:
...
15
votes
1answer
3k views
Can anyone identify the aircraft in the background of this photo?
This photo was found in some family belongings and we're trying to date it to identify the family member who may have been in his tri-service imaged. So, can anyone identify the plane in the ...
4
votes
4answers
223 views
Keeping the engine under the wings, doesn't hurt the lift as the airflow speed is higher under the wings?
To create a lift, the airflow speed on top of the wings should be higher than the airflow speed on the bottom of the wings.
But when you keep the engine on the bottom of the wings, wouldn't it hurt ...
0
votes
2answers
206 views
Why is there such a low level of automation in the aerospace industry (compared to other industries such as automobile)?
I have been watching some episodes of the documentaries made by National Geographic lately and I have noticed something that I can't find an explanation for.
In this episode of Megafactories - ...
10
votes
7answers
6k views
Why was the Vulcan bomber used for the Falklands raid?
There is a lot of information about this complex operation. But can anybody explain why they chose to use an aircraft? They could easily shoot cruise missiles from a ship or ballistic missiles from a ...
4
votes
3answers
204 views
How do logbook endorsements work?
I'm just finishing up Air Force Pilot Training (UPT).
The day after graduation we are issued commercial certificates for SEL and MEL.
The military does things pretty different from the civilian ...
0
votes
1answer
141 views
Would a laser dazzler be militarily useful? [closed]
I saw Why don't combat aircraft have rear-facing *laser* weapons? pop up in the Hot Questions list and that motivated me to join here and ask this question.
Weapons that blind are banned. But ...
26
votes
5answers
7k views
Why don't combat aircraft have rear-facing *laser* weapons?
This question is similar, but only talks about guns. I don't mean a laser that is going to destroy the plane, but why aren't rear-mounted, rear-firing lasers that can blind a pilot a thing? Most of ...
2
votes
1answer
176 views
Is the Mil Mi-2 still in production?
I have read conflicting reports that this Russian helicopter is out of production, yet others say otherwise. Could anyone confirm?
2
votes
0answers
126 views
What role does this ground crew member fulfill?
At the Miramar airshow a couple of weeks ago I noticed that in addition to the crew chief of each Blue Angel there was one additional individual standing behind the crew chiefs between aircraft #3 and ...
8
votes
1answer
529 views
How do weapon pylons attach to a fighter's wings?
How do weapon pylons attach to a fighter's wings? I'm particularly interested in the inner structure.
34
votes
4answers
11k views
Why do military jets sometimes have elevators in a depressed position when parked?
Why do they have elevators in such a position as if the joystick is pushed forward, even though there's nobody inside the cockpit?
1
vote
0answers
69 views
Is there any source or database from which we can find out the total number of military aircraft sold globally every year?
There are a few online databases that sheds light on the number of commercial jets that countries, airlines purchases every year.
Is there any database that provides similar figures for military ...
1
vote
1answer
210 views
What makes the Air Force and Navy pilots different? [closed]
As far as I know, aviation in both divisions are almost the same. They fly various aircrafts, they do dogfights, air to ground attacks, air transports, electronic attacks, and more. Can you say that ...
4
votes
1answer
182 views
Apart from the C-130, are there other airlifter aircraft that are able to perform LAPES drops?
The C-130 is well known for her ability to perform a LAPES (Low Altitude Parachute Extraction) drop to deliver vehicles to an airhead.
I'm wondering if other larger military airlift aircraft that are ...
4
votes
1answer
630 views
Does the F-16 have any armor at all?
When I read about the A-10 I'm met with statements (e.g. Wikipedia) such as:
The A-10 is exceptionally tough, being able to survive direct hits from armor-piercing and high-explosive projectiles up ...
28
votes
3answers
11k views
Why would a fighter use the afterburner and air brakes at the same time?
I was looking for air brake pictures on different fighters, and then I saw a Tornado using afterburner and air brake at the same time! Air brake duty is to reduce speed, isn't it? So why would a ...
12
votes
2answers
511 views
What are the ejection injury and fatality rates?
Most of us have probably heard about how ejecting from a military aircraft is dangerous in and of itself, and that ejection is not a get out of jail free card.
The most common dangers seem to be:
...
