Why Navy Pilots Call Themselves 'Aviators' – But Air Force Pilots Don't
While the words mean the same thing to most, "pilot" and "aviator" can have separate meanings in the U.S. military when it comes to the Navy and Air Force.
Read More-
-
Eurofighter Typhoon Vs F-22 Raptor: How Do These Fighter Jets Actually Compare?
From stealth and speed to weapons and maneuverability, the Eurofighter Typhoon and F-22 Raptor take very different approaches to air combat.
Read More -
What Speed Do Fighter Jets Land At?
With fighter jets designed for high speed and maneuverability, their landing speeds naturally differ from commercial airliners — but not as much as you suspect.
Read More -
The Popular Fighter Jet You Probably Didn't Know Was Built By Samsung
While the U.S. has a history of selling fighter jets to its allies, there are instances where they're built on-site by local companies like Korea's Samsung.
Read More -
Why Do Fighter Jets Tend To Fly In Pairs?
Flying in formation pairs is more than just a flashy trick for air shows. There's a practical reason for fighter jets to stick together in this manner.
Read More -
What Makes The Canopies Of Modern Fighter Jets Like The F-35 So Special?
From extreme weather to enemy attacks and electromagnetic interference, there are many forces fighter jet canopies are designed to defend against.
Read More -
5 Of The Worst Fighter Planes To Fly In World War 2
World War II fielded some of the first iconic fighter jets in military history. It also saw the arrival of some profound early failures in aviation design.
Read More -
Want To Fly In A Real Fighter Jet? Here's Where You Can Do It
There are only a few people worldwide who have the training and skills necessary to fly a fighter jet professionally. That doesn't mean you can never fly one.
Read More -
Why Fighter Jet Afterburners Create Glowing 'Shock Diamonds'
The glowing "shock diamonds" that appear in a fighter jet's exhaust are striking to look at, but the physics behind their formation is even more fascinating.
Read More -
This 1970s-Era Fighter Jet Boasts One Feature That Even Fifth Generation Fighters Lack
Jet fighters require clean air to operate their engines, both free-flowing and without any debris. Only one older fighter can handle both issues easily.
Read More -
Not The F-35: This US Fighter Jet Can Go The Fastest Without Using An Afterburner
The F-35 has a top speed of Mach 1.6, but it requires afterburners to reach that. Its cruise speed is much lower, meaning other jets can cruise faster.
Read More -
What Makes A Fighter Pilot A 'Flying Ace'?
While you might think being an "ace" pilot is just a way of saying someone is good at flying, when it comes to combat, it does have a very specific meaning.
Read More -
Why Does The F-16 Fighter Jet Have A Reclined Cockpit Seat?
Fighter pilots are put through a lot when flying a jet, but that doesn't mean they have to be uncomfortable. Enter: The F-16 Fighting Falcon's reclining seat.
Read More -
Aircraft Carriers In The 1860s? The Civil War Saga Of The Steamboat Fanny
The American Civil War saw the formation of the Balloon Corps for Federal Army, and it wasn't long until this newly formed division took to the sea.
Read More -
5 Of The Worst Combat Jets To Fly In The Vietnam War
The United States brought a full complement of supersonic jets to the Vietnam War, but some of the planes in the Air Force's arsenal didn't meet the challenge.
Read More -
What Is The 'Pickle' Button On Fighter Jets For?
The word "pickle" has many different meanings in the English language as both a noun and verb. There are even a few uses specific to the United States military.
Read More -
Why Do Some Fighter Jets Carry Missiles On Their Wingtips?
To the layman, wingtips don't really seem like an ideal place to carry missiles, yet some fighter jets do exactly that. Here's why they do so.
Read More -
5 Fighter Jets That Are Quicker Than The F-16
Quick and agile, the F-16 Fighting Falcon has a top speed of around Mach 2.0. However, it's not the fastest thing in the skies by a long shot.
Read More -
13 Militaries With The Most Helicopters In Service, Ranked
These militaries have the largest helicopter fleets, complementing fighter jet forces and bolstering airpower projection both regionally and globally.
Read More -
What Does 'Service Ceiling' Mean On A Fighter Jet?
A fighter jet's service ceiling is an important specification that offers an indication of its aerial capabilities. Here's what the term means.
Read More -
New Tech Lets Drones Launch And Land From Crewless Boats With Pinpoint Precision
Recon drones and drone swarms aren't anything new, but a German company has developed a drone platform that brings it all to a whole new level.
Read More -
What Is Thrust Vectoring And Which Fighter Jets Use It?
Thrust vectoring dates back to the 1930s, when rocket thrust was altered in various ways. However, it didn't find its way into fighter jets for some time.
Read More -
12 Of The Most Popular Military Vehicles Civilians Can Actually Own
Tanks, Humvees, fighter planes and even submarines aren't just for the military -- here's what civilians can store in the garage, hangar, and dock.
Read More -
How The OV-10 Bronco Went From Troubled Concept To Vietnam War Legend
The OV-10 Bronco didn't have fancy swept wings or supersonic jet engines, but it still became an iconic sight in the skies during the Vietnam era.
Read More -
Here's Every Military Helicopter Sikorsky Makes
Sikorsky is one aviation's oldest names, and the manufacturer continues to build iconic airframes and futuristic prototypes as part of Lockheed Martin.
Read More -
Every VTOL Fighter Jet Ranked From Worst To Best
Aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing aren't unusual in the civilian world, but are far more of a rarity when it comes to fighter jet fleets.
Read More -
What Is The 'Pickle' Button On Fighter Jets For?
The word "pickle" has many different meanings in the English language as both a noun and verb. There are even a few uses specific to the United States military.
Read More
