Questions tagged [us-air-force]
The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on 18 September 1947 under the National Security Act of 1947.
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Did SR-71s have a switch for seat height adjustment for the pilot or were there strict height requirements in order to fly it?
I've realized that nowadays there are switches present on most modern aircraft which electrically adjust the height of the seating position, and I was wonder if that mechanism was present on the SR-71?...
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Aside from simulated dogfights, do F-22 Raptors actively participate in live fire/target practice using live munitions?
I am aware that the F-22 was developed specifically for the air-to-air superiority role, although it has previously proven its worth for multi-role missions (in performing ground strike missions ...
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Has this USAF flight violated russian airspace?
Just encountered this interesting flight on FlightRadar24:
From the path, it looks like it may have "violated", or let's say, been to, russian airspace. Even if not, one has to wonder what ...
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Will the new USAF trainer Boeing–Saab T-7 Red Hawk have weapons?
Will the new USAF jet trainer, the Boeing–Saab T-7 Red Hawk, have weapons?
I see the mention of the possibility of hardpoints e.g. here:
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/42760/air-force-wants-...
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What are the white tubes underneath the Canopy of the F-22 Raptor?
I was looking at the Raptor and noticed the white looking tubes underneath the canopy. Do the tubes have a purpose? If so what is the purpose/function of the tubes? Are there any other aircraft with ...
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Do F-22 Raptors have different chemical colored coatings on the canopy?
Today I saw an image of a couple of Raptors parked at Spangdahelm AFB and I noticed that one of the Raptors in the image had Golden-tinted canopy glass while the other one had orange-tinted Canopy ...
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Why do Air Force planes regularly fly in circles?
During the ongoing War in Ukraine, one can regularly spot planes from Royal and US Air Force flying over the Eastern parts of Poland, see screenshot. They often fly in circles and return after several ...
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How do fighter jets pre-flight so quickly?
Military fighter jets can get in the air and to their target in minutes and faster than almost all other aircraft. How do they achieve this considering that a normal pre-flight alone takes ~10-15 ...
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how missiles or rockets change direction if gyroscopes prevent any direction change? they would bring back the rocket to same path? [closed]
Gyroscopes are instrument which prevent any wobbling or direction change but then how rockets and missiles change their directions. To change direction we have to give signals to gyro or to the servo(...
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What are these components in a DHS/CBP Predator drone?
In the following diagram showing the "DHS/CBP UAS Platform Configuration", what are these components and what are they used for?
PPDM
SPMA
RCM
RVT encoder
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Did C-124 loadmasters receive parachute and water survival training?
When the position of "loadmaster" was created for the Douglas C-124 Globemaster II, did prospective USAF loadmasters attend the parachute training and water survival school at the 3904th ...
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Why was the F-14 retired 15 years ago while the contemporary F-15 is still operational?
The F-14 and the F-15 were designed in almost the same years and each one was at the top of its own "compartment" (respectively, US Navy and US Air Force).
However, almost 15 years ago, the ...
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In USAF are people WSO by choice or is it because they didn’t make the cut to be a pilot?
Generally, is a US Air Force Weapon Systems Officer (WSO)
someone who wanted to be an WSO or is specifically assigned and trained to be an WSO from the start, or
someone who failed flight training ...
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What are the heating tubes used during SR-71 airframe manufacturing?
I was watching a YouTube video "Titanium - The Metal That Made The SR-71 Possible" when I stumbled upon this frame (at 12:26).
I could see these heating tubes sort of things under the ...
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Does the Air Force (United States) help design their own planes?
I know that companies such as Lockheed Martin and Boeing design and build planes for the US Air Force. However, when I was thinking about this, I realized the Air force has no part in designing the ...
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What happened with the balloons of project Excelsior?
After the flight to the ISS yesterday I am reading more stuff about mankind in the universe.
Reading about the Excelsior project makes me wonder what happened with the helium balloon after Joseph ...
Frog123
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How to join Air Force Reserve with minor injuries that would interfere with Basic Training? [closed]
Is it possible to get waivers on fitness part of the Basic Training for joining to Air Force Reserve? If not, is there a way to join Air Force Reserves without Basic Training?
Are there alternative ...
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How often is the name painted on fighters?
This question is restricted to US Air Force fighters, as I don't know if other air forces paint the pilot's name on the fighter.
This question pops into my mind because of 2 reasons:
this comment ...
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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, ...
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Why is a Lockheed MC-130J Commando II creating such a loud droning sound?
Today I heard a loud droning sound which is really unusual in the area of west London I live in; so I went on ADS-B exchange and it showed a USAF Lockheed MC-130J Commando II flying literally right ...
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How many executive jets does the US military have access to (as opposed to owning outright)?
Last night around 8pm at least 12-15 executive jets flew into PSM over my house one after the other. Apparently the Air Force brass were having some kind of powow, which isn't surprising given that ...
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define the difference between a USAF Leg vs a USAF Sortie
What is the definition of a Sortie versus a Leg according to the US Air Force?
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Airplanes in static display at Whiteman AFB
After reading the post about B-2 sizing, I spend a couple of minutes on Google Maps looking at airplanes on the Whiteman AFB.
On runways, I think there are one B-2 Spirit, 3 T-38 Talon, and one AH-64 ...
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Why doesn't the air force order more F-22's?
I've come across several articles touting the F-22 as the most formidable air-to-air killing machine to date, such as this one:
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/f-22-nearly-unstoppable-air-...
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Does the US export the Mark 77 aerial bomb? [closed]
The Mark 77 bomb used by US fighter aircraft detonates with an impressive array of inferno when dropped in a cluster which is often done at airshows.
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Is the Mark 77 bomb solely used by ...
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I want to be an airline pilot. Would becoming a NON-COMBAT Air Force pilot be a good way to become one? [duplicate]
I know that becoming a fighter pilot is highly competitive, making it a difficult route, but would becoming a pilot for an Air Force cargo aircraft or something of the like be a good way to reach my ...
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Identify an USAF transport aircraft in Greenland around 1960
Could anybody help me identify this aircraft?
It was photographed in Greenland around 1960.
Thanks in advance.
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How did this air force plane likely get into the eye of Hurricane Florence? [duplicate]
The annotation for this CNN video says
Air Force plane flies into Hurricane Florence
Watch as a US Air Force plane flies into the eye of Hurricane Florence to collect weather data for the National ...
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Why didn't NWA 85 request/receive fighter jet help with their mysterious rudder failure? [closed]
I recently watched a documentary about the Northwest Airlines Flight 85. The flight experienced a grave rudder malfunction when it was over the Bering Sea and had to turn back for an emergency landing ...
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What is this USAF transport aircraft from possibly the 50-60s?
I came across the following image (scan of a photograph) in an archive of photographs related to the 1962 Sino-Indian War.
Which particular aircraft could this be?
Update: This answer identifies it ...
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How was the 'steer' bearing given? [duplicate]
From the USAF c. 1955 training film No Sweat, there is a technique called 'steer'. By pressing the PTT button for a few seconds, the tower controller is able to determine the pilot's bearing.
What ...
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Why was the F-117 retired so quickly?
Why was the F-117 retired after so few years in service (Approximately 25 years) while other military aircraft are in service for many decades? Many of the 60 built should still be air-worthy.
For ...
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Would USAF ATC experience help in getting a civilian ATC job?
Can I join the US air force as an air traffic controller, and then use my ATC skills from my service to become a civilian ATCO?
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Do USAF fighter jets go supersonic over land?
Does the US Air Force operate supersonic fighter jets over land?
I heard that the FAA banned supersonic flight over America due to the shockwaves creating loud booms and breaking windows on the ...
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Does the US military use metric system?
Does the US military use the metric system for aviation?
For example, does it use:
feet or meters for altitude?
nautical miles or kilometers for distance?
knots or km/h for speed?
inHg or hPa for ...
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Is 'make small one turn' a standard phrase?
I've heard it somehow that some of USAF controllers say this. is the phrase used in real ATC? if it is, is there any other similar phrases?
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What does the term "white-scarf Air Force" mean?
Ron Gordon's answer to question about A-10 cannon mentions "white-scarf Air Force". As civilian, subtlety was lost on me. What does it mean? From the context, looks like fighter pilots? Are the ...
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Who has final authority over Air Force One?
U.S. FAA FAR 91.3 ("Responsibility and authority of the pilot in command") says that:
The pilot in command of an aircraft is directly responsible for, and
is the final authority as to, the ...
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What causes this surface texture, and how does it affect flight characteristics?
The picture on this answer to "What is this plane seen in Mobile, Alabama?" shows a B-52D Stratofortress with a very irregular surface texture.
(Source)
Were they like this when they were new, or is ...
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What is Flexible Gunnery in the US Air Force?
I read many times in English Wikipedia that some servicemen were trained in Flexible Gunnery schools, but I don't get what that exactly means.
Example:
In January 1942, the 2d Air Force was ...
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Could the V-22 Osprey be used as a close air support platform?
I saw the US was looking for a new close air support plane. Why do they not use the V-22 Osprey? It is able to travel slowly and could carry more weapons than an A-10, for example.
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Can you identify this airplane?
Im thinking the window sequence and the shadow (possible a prop?) Might be your best help. My dad bought this photo and him nor I can figure it out. I work at a dang airport, too! TIA.
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Are all US fighter/combat aircraft constantly armed, even just in training?
I remember hearing once upon a time that all US fighter/combat aircraft constantly armed, even just in training. If I recall correctly, it's because the pilots need to be ready at a moment's notice.
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Where does Air Force One refuel?
Obama came to Greece and then to Germany. That's a long trip, even for the majestic Jumbo. There was a lot of discussion about where the aircraft was refuelled during that trip. Do we know, in general,...
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What is the maximum height of USAF fighter pilot?
In response to this comment:
Three days later I happened to meet a commercial pilot at school who has flown
F4s during Vietnam. He gave me the worst news of my life. My 6'3" ass was too
tall to ...
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Does a pilot of Air Force One receive any special privileges?
I know that flying Air Force One is a position of high responsibility. I am curious to know what extra privileges, if any, come along with being the pilot of Air Force One. What extra he can do which ...
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Has the United States Air Force used Contra-rotating Propeller Aircraft?
I recently saw a picture of a Russian Bear(TU-95) intercepting one of our(US) military aircraft over the Pacific Ocean.
Many years ago, when I flew in reconnaissance aircraft, we were frequently ...
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Why does the U.S. keep thousands of retired aircraft in storage? [duplicate]
A view of Davis-Monthan AFB shows thousands of retired aircraft sitting in the desert.
They go through great lengths to preserve them, even sealing them with an opaque white, hi-tech vinyl plastic ...
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What is this on top of the Air Force One?
Clarification: It wasn't Air Force One that visited Switzerland, it was the 747-200 E4 carrying Ashton Carter. Source
What is this thing on top of the plane (In red circle):
On other "Air Force One" ...
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