Military Planes

Last updated on December 13, 2015

A fascination with military planes and avionics is natural for little boys. There are so many different aircrafts with different features and so much to learn about. The United States Air Force is equipped as a service brand with some of the most technologically advanced fleet of airplanes. In addition, there is so much to learn about the way the Air Force is governed, how plane mechanics work, and how pilots are learning about their unique aircrafts.

The United States Department of Defense publishes a military standard to the mechanics, electrical, and functional characteristics of all military vehicles. The standard is now commonly used for on-board handling, on most aviation machines. You can review the MIL-STD-1553B for details about all of the unique types of military machinery and it’s required maintenance.

An Impressive Fleet

The US Air Force has over 5,000 planes in service. Not all of them carry the same purpose or mission. There are set assignments for all of the unique aerospace vehicles.

First, are the aircrafts used in ground attacks. The two most commonly known are the Thunderbolt and the Spectre. Commonly used for support of ground forces, they are a tactical force rather than providing strategy from those flying much higher off the ground.

Second, are the strategic bombers. These forces are commonly mixed with other fighter-bombers and attack aircrafts. The strategic bombers are used in striking targets inside of enemy territory.

Cargo transport planes come next, which is it obvious what these planes are for. They carry goods, supplies, and troops to their assigned locations. All of the military equipment is also on board of these large planes.

A Love of Planes

For all of you history buffs or the lovers of all things that fly, the Smithsonian now has exhibits that feature some of the most important planes of history. Many military planes are also showcased in this exhibit. The focus of these exhibits is primarily on the planes that changed the face of aviation in the world. Below is a list of the planes that made the top ten list of those that changed the world of aviation:

1. The Wright Plane: The world’s first practical airplane.
2. Junkers F13: First all metal internal frame.
3. Boeing 314: Yes, they fit a whole Boeing plane inside the museum. Featuring the first commercial flight’s plane.
4. Eola Gay: The B-29 that delivered the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, it was the first nuclear-carrying aircraft.
5. MiG 15: The Korean-era fighter plane, it was the Soviet’s answer to the American’s B-29 Bombers.
6. Sikorsky S-55: This military helicopter was instrumental in saving lives during the Korean War.
7. Cessna 172: A mass-produced airplane that in 1987 landed in Moscow’s Red Square.
8. Learjet 23: The beginning of private planes.
9. Boeing 747: This is the now widely-popular international flying airplane.
10. General Atomics MQ-1 Predator: The first unmanned plane that ever was used in war. It started the way we now do warfare, with drones and unmanned machines.

So much impressive history has occurred in the aviation department. It is definitely something to enjoy reviewing, seeing, and being a part of. Flight is a wonder that man has been using for years, but it is never truly appreciated by all those who benefit from its wonder.