For questions relating to military aviation or possible effects of a country's military on other forms of aviation.
2
votes
2answers
110 views
What measures prevent a military aircraft's weapons from being fired on the ground?
Recently the 20mm cannon of an F-16 was accidentally fired on the ground by maintenance personnel at Florennes Air Base in Belgium, resulting the the destruction of another F-16 and damage to a third.
...
3
votes
2answers
273 views
With similar weapons why does an AH64 Apache require a pilot and gunner when the A10 Warthog only needs a pilot?
The Apache has a 30mm chain gun. It carries Hellfire (anti armor), Stinger/Sidewinder (air to air) and Hydra (air to ground, APKWS guidance package available) missiles.
source
The Warthog has a ...
-1
votes
0answers
58 views
Has S-400 rendered Israeli and Pakistani Air Forces ineffective? [closed]
Not sure if this is the correct channel to ask this question, apologies.
Has the Russian S-400 with a range of 400 KM effectively made Israeli and Pakistani AF totally ineffective? This applies to ...
1
vote
1answer
151 views
What does M mean in A400M Atlas?
Atlas was the guy in Greek mythology that was literally carrying the world/planet in his shoulders. But was does M mean? Military? That's a guess though...
1
vote
2answers
74 views
Is an A&P certificate ever required to work on military aircraft?
Are military aviation mechanics - including civilian contractors - ever required to obtain an A&P certificate to work on active military aircraft?
1
vote
2answers
280 views
Why did the RAF buy the F-35B model and not the A model
If the only issue is the in-flight refueling system (probe/drogue), wouldn't it make more sense to buy the A model and modify the tankers. The refueling issue doesn't compare to the performance ...
2
votes
1answer
234 views
What is the vocabulary used by fighter pilots used to communicate?
As far as I understand, fighter pilots or more general military aircrews will use a dedicated phraseology to communicate with each other, which is different to communicating to ATC.
Is this ...
-4
votes
2answers
131 views
What measures are taken to ensure military pilots aren't going mad? [closed]
I'm asking specifically about single pilot fighter jets. How do air forces ensure pilots won't go mad and start a war with another country? For example, a pair of B2 pilots could start World War 3 by ...
1
vote
2answers
268 views
What is this plane shown on the 'Blended wing body' Wikipedia page?
(wikimedia.org via wikipedia.org)
What is the second plane from left, between the 757 and the B-2?
2
votes
1answer
121 views
F-16 “training rounds”? [duplicate]
From this Wikipedia article
A fighter pilot based at Andrews Air Force Base, Billy Hutchison, claims that while in the air he spotted Flight 93 on his scope and planned to first fire his training ...
56
votes
2answers
11k views
What are these engineers doing sitting on a large format drawing of B-47s aircraft?
This answer about solid-jet-assisted takeoff links to the page B-47 Jet-Assisted Take Off (JATO). An image there took me to a collection of historical aviation images, apparently from a LIFE Magazine ...
2
votes
1answer
285 views
Can you identify this unusual plane by its description? [closed]
I saw this plane many years ago:
Same shape and size as an commercial airliner.
No windows along the fuselage
Painted flat gray (like a naval ship)
Had a blue circle on its "nose" (Blue painted ...
0
votes
2answers
339 views
Could a civilian aircraft in distress land in Area 51? [duplicate]
Just curiosity, but in case of a real life-threatening emergency (where you can't fly to closest airport or strip), would they (Air Force, military or whoever) allow the plane to land on the Area 51 ...
5
votes
3answers
326 views
How does airspace work with the navy?
Let's say some ships from the US Navy are in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
Is there anything to stop another country, say the Chinese or the Russians flying around them in circles, either to watch ...
2
votes
1answer
138 views
Do vapor clouds increase the radar scross section of an aircraft?
The F-22 is known for its stealth capabilities, which is mostly achieved with an extremely low RCS. Due to its high maneuverability we also see this plane often creating extreme vapor clouds while ...
1
vote
1answer
205 views
Do military tactical transport flights provide seatbelts for all occupants?
In several movies I have watched recently, the temporary bench style seats of tactical transport aircraft such as the C-130 do not show seat-belts. I would not be surprised that some instances of seat ...
4
votes
3answers
213 views
Do flares affect IR tracking devices?
If an IR device, such as a tracking FLIR system (not a heat-seeking missile), tracks an aircraft and that said aircraft would launch flares. Is the IR tracking device likely to be confused by the ...
2
votes
1answer
171 views
How likely are flares to be fire hazards once touching the ground?
According to the Wikipedia page of flares, flares create intense heat.
A flare, also sometimes called a fusee, is a type of pyrotechnic that produces a brilliant light or intense heat without an ...
13
votes
1answer
1k views
What does the letter E signify for the E-3 AWACS?
I came across the E-3 AWACS aircraft with the designation E-3, I could not find what the letter E means in E-3.
0
votes
2answers
81 views
Is MIL-PRF-5606 H flammable at 350 deg C?
Is MIL-PRF-5606 H flammable at 350 deg C?
Is it a flammable or combustible hyd oil?
4
votes
3answers
386 views
Did WW2-era aircraft have constant-speed or variable-pitch props?
This is slightly related to my other question on variable-pitch controls.
I want to know if WW2-era aircraft typically had variable-pitch or constant-speed propellers. Variable-pitch lets the pilot ...
82
votes
5answers
41k views
If a pilot ejects, what is the autopilot programmed to do?
If a pilot uses his ejector seat during flight, what is the autopilot programmed to do?
As a developer myself, I would want to build in a way for the plane to try and save itself if possible (to save ...
5
votes
1answer
280 views
How big was the F-14 fleet compared to other US carrier-based aircraft in 1981?
Back in the 80's I was away jesting about the F-14 are here to protect the carriers and the carriers to deploy F-14.
I know there are a number of other aircraft here for other purposes but I really ...
4
votes
1answer
177 views
Were there any folding wing biplanes?
Given that several nations had operational carriers by 1920 and biplanes were still in military service, were there any folding wing biplanes?
Wikipedia: United States first purpose built aircraft ...
0
votes
2answers
302 views
Does Airforce one carry missiles to protect itself and its passengers?
Do the VC-25 aircraft used for Air Force One carry missiles to protect itself and its passengers?
If so, can these missiles be fired at potential threats?
-3
votes
1answer
239 views
When escorting Air Force 1, at what safe distance must fighter jets fly?
Air Force 1 is sometimes escorted by fighter jets, either for security reasons or for show. Given that Air Force 1 is a very large aircraft that produces an extremely large amount of jet blast and ...
9
votes
1answer
2k views
What plane is shown here in the movie Rampage?
I'm not sure if its a real life airplane, but I feel like I have seen it somewhere:
It looks similiar to the F-117 Nighthawk, pictured below, but it is definitely not this:
1
vote
3answers
257 views
How common is it for military jets to use civilian airports?
Today my wife witnessed 3 fighter jets taking off from Teterboro Airport in NJ. She even took a video. How common is it for military jets to use civilian airports?
3
votes
1answer
135 views
What is a compounding wing and how does it increase helicopter performance?
The US Army is developing a list of enhancements for the next generation Apache attack helicopter. Among them this was mentioned:
Topping the list of major changes is re-engining with the 3,000-shp ...
9
votes
2answers
4k views
5
votes
1answer
757 views
What is this fighter jet seen at Centennial Airport?
This is my first post here! yay! Today I ate at the awesome "Perfect Landing" restaurant at Centennial Airport. My dad said he thought they were FA-18s but I honestly have no idea. It was awesome ...
3
votes
1answer
207 views
What is the aerodynamic reason military parachutes are square?
Until these, I had only ever seen round military parachutes. The slots also differ between paratroop
and cargo.
0
votes
1answer
226 views
How does ATC radar display differ from military radar?
Could you summarize what sort of data/objects are present in one type of display but not another? (not asking about construction differences, just the user-facing end, the display/interface.)
A ...
6
votes
1answer
314 views
Is there any way to reduce the noise and vibration in a C-130 Hercules?
We are using C-130 B and E Models with T-56 A-15 engines and Hamilton Sundstrand 54H60-91/117 propellers. A lot of vibration and resonance are felt on these military version aircraft even after using ...
0
votes
0answers
54 views
Where can I find power and heat specifications for EFIS and IFE systems?
I am working on an MSc. thesis project about the electrification of aircraft.
Since the rule of thumb is to design the generators for the worst case scenario, I would like to include as much ...
24
votes
5answers
3k views
Why are accident rates higher on smaller aircraft?
This question was raised as part of this discussion.
Why are accident rates higher on smaller aircraft?
It seems the safety record of military, private and small commuter planes is much less safe ...
8
votes
4answers
3k views
What are the differences between the MiG-15 and MiG-17?
Apart from the extra wing fence and angled leading edge of the MiG-17, what are the differences visually between the two aircraft?
19
votes
5answers
639 views
Which aircraft have fought against its own type in active combat?
The criteria for this question are
The aircraft has to be the same type (but not necessarily the same mark)
The two opposing sides are actively hostile; but not restricted to nation states (so civil ...
4
votes
3answers
330 views
What is the difference in VTOL technology between British Aerospace Harrier II and F-35B?
F-35B safer and looks more stable in terms of VTOL capability.
What is the basic difference between Harrier II and F-35B's VTOL technology?
3
votes
2answers
226 views
Why is the F-117A the only plane to use the fully faceted design? [duplicate]
One of the keys to the stealth capability was its faceted design. The concept is that curved surfaces have a larger radar cross-section. The idea of making all surfaces flat to reflect radar away from ...
3
votes
2answers
286 views
What is a typical altitude for a dogfight?
At what altitude(s) do dogfights typically occur? How has this changed from World War I up to now?
8
votes
1answer
336 views
From which aircraft does this vintage altimeter come from?
I bought this vintage U.S. Navy Kollsman altimeter at a market in Bangkok, Thailand.
Unfortunately, I don't have any info other than what you see in the photos.
It's a Kollsman altimter and the ...
0
votes
1answer
161 views
Qualification Requirement of Aircraft taxi and landing lights?
Can anyone provide any standard through which taxi and landing lights are certified for use on aircraft?
And which certification is required for military aircraft lighting systems?
4
votes
1answer
297 views
Why don't the newest versions of Mi-35Ms have retractable gear?
Older versions of Mi-35 Hind helicopters had wheel boxes so that they could retract their wheels while flying.
Why don't the newest versions of Mi-35Ms have wheel boxes?
0
votes
1answer
453 views
How practical might it be, to carry military tanks by helicopter(s) to remote areas? [closed]
How practical might it be, to carry military tanks by helicopter(s) to remote areas?
Wikipedia lists the M1 A2 Abrams tank at 65 metric tons.
HeliPress lists the Russian-made Mi 26 copter as being ...
2
votes
0answers
217 views
Could an AN/APG-79 AESA radar “lock-on” a single bird?
Could a fighter pilot in 2015 using an AN/APG-79 AESA radar "lock-on" a single bird?
I know that modern radars like the AN/APG-79 in modern combat aircraft like the F/A-18F filter out false alarms ...
11
votes
3answers
386 views
If a circling airplane (AC-130) fires a bullet how does the plane's trajectory alter the shell's flight path?
Background: An AC-130 is a military aircraft that has a cannon that fires out the side of its fuselage.
If an AC-130 (or similar aircraft) is traveling in straight, level flight at a constant rate of ...
5
votes
3answers
3k views
Why don't most military transports use modern commercial engines?
Why don't most military transports use modern commercial engines?
More specifically planes like C-17, the Antonov's use older less powerful engines while modern efficient and powerful engines are ...
2
votes
0answers
128 views
How are foreign militaries regulated in the USA?
I believe the US military is not officially subject to the FARs, but what about foreign military aviation? What about aviation activities of the various National Guard outfits?
Example...the Belgium ...
4
votes
3answers
601 views
How effective was WWII bombers self defense anti-air armament?
Bigger WWII bombers like e.g. the B-17 Flying Fortress were equipped with lots of machine guns for self-defense against single-seat fighter aircraft.
Wikipedia says:
Defensive armament increased ...
