Questions tagged [military]
For questions relating to military aviation or possible effects of a country's military on other forms of aviation.
579
questions
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1answer
86 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
79 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
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2answers
995 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
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2answers
124 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
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0answers
51 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
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1answer
223 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
13k 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
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0answers
92 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
212 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
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4answers
304 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
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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
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1answer
993 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
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1answer
124 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. ...
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votes
1answer
170 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
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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
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4answers
205 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
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2answers
190 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
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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
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3answers
184 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
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1answer
138 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
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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 ...
14
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1answer
7k views
What is this hole on the left wing of the Eurofighter Typhoon?
I came across the picture below and saw the hole near the centerline on the left which appears to have some carbon next to it. What is its purpose and where does the carbon come from?
2
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1answer
163 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
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0answers
121 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
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1answer
432 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
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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?
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0answers
66 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
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1answer
202 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
172 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
571 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
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2answers
465 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:
...
1
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2answers
340 views
Has there ever been a strategic bomber raid completely wiped out?
Question in title. All them seem to be heavily damaged but with half surviving at least. Cant find any that were wiped out.
15
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4answers
4k views
Can an intercepting fighter jet force a small propeller aircraft down without completely destroying it?
A rogue aircraft may fly into a no fly zone, and be intercepted by standard military procedure. That involves increasingly intense attempts to establish communication. When all these fail, it may be ...
10
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1answer
269 views
How does the Harrier avoid engine damage when operating from dirt fields?
The Harrier V/STOVL jet was designed in order for its users to be able to retain a functional air force even with all conventional airports destroyed; to this end, it can take off from, and land in, ...
2
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1answer
251 views
Why does the US Marine Corps fly the Harrier, a VTOL or operationally STOVL aircraft?
The UK flies the Harrier because they have STOBAR carriers, but why does the United States Marine Corps fly the Harrier?
3
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2answers
199 views
Where did the SOE agents sit in the 161 squadron Short Stirlings?
I asked this question on history.se, where it was recommended I repost here.
During World War II Special Operation Executive (SOE) agents were dropped into occupied Europe by No. 161 squadron of the ...
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0answers
67 views
Aircraft Design [duplicate]
As you know, the sandwich panel is widely used in aircraft structures.Commonly used as a core from honeycomb Aluminium or Nomex(Aramid).The question is in the internal structure of some Fighters such ...
3
votes
2answers
205 views
Can military officers change occupation to become pilots?
From what I have read, the paths to become a fixed-wing pilot in the Air Force, Navy, and Marines, are to go to a military academy, enroll in ROTC in college, or go to an officer training school after ...
6
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1answer
3k views
What are these protruding elements from SU-27's tail?
I recently saw in person SU-27 belonging to the Ukrainian Air Force. I spotted some protruding elements from its tail and I'm wondering what are they called and what do they do?
2
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3answers
652 views
Why do fighter pilots use night vision goggles rather than normal light inside the cockpit?
I've seen military personnel using night vision goggles (NVGs). With their flight altitude, I don't think the enemy can notice them. I thought it may be due to eye strain, but other units use red ...
25
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6answers
5k views
Why did the RAAF procure the F/A-18 despite being purpose-built for carriers?
Why did the Royal Australian Air Force (and others) procure the F/A-18 despite being purpose-built for carriers?
8
votes
1answer
569 views
What is this hole on the F-22 Raptor?
I noticed this little hole that is right in front of the cockpit window of the F-22 Raptor. In some photos, it seems to be closed, while in other photos, it's open.
Does anyone know (or think they ...
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0answers
118 views
From RAF fighter pilot to commercial pilot
I’d like to become an RAF fighter pilot for many reasons but to become a commercial pilot once I leave the RAF is not one of them. I am, however, curious to know, if I were to become an RAF pilot and ...
4
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1answer
133 views
Can I log my military training time as PIC, if I have a PPL?
It's my understanding that instrument and commercial training time can be logged as PIC, after you have a PPL. I received my PPL in a standard C-172.
I was about to go through and log all my ...
2
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2answers
139 views
How do piston engines deal with sea spray (saltwater ingestion)?
From my related question, I want to know about sea spray being ingested into a piston engine during flight. Will this immediately corrode the engine unless there are special materials?
I'm asking ...
3
votes
1answer
175 views
Does an uncovered naval aircraft suffer any weathering affects?
This question is for WW2-era naval aircraft.
I noticed that some cruisers and battleships carried a couple seaplanes, launched by catapult and recovered with cranes.
Obviously these are unprotected ...
1
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1answer
181 views
How practical is laser designation against helicopters?
Laser designation is a fairly common method for guiding missiles and precision bombs, but how does it perform against aerial targets?
Given the ranges and kinematics involved, this method could be ...
-1
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1answer
202 views
Are there countermeasures for semi-active laser homing SAM?
I would imagine sensors that pick up the wavelength/PRF and a couple of emitters trying to flood the seeker. Or could chaff be sufficiently reflective?
3
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1answer
400 views
What is this strange structure, of a type often seen by pilots in hilly regions? [closed]
I spotted a strange structure near a few paragliding spots in italian Alps. It's a screen about 10 meters wide, 6 meters tall, mounted on concrete base on ridge top. Someone said it's a training ...
