The fast-paced world of Military Aerospace Technology
The early aircraft of the 20th century started life as wood and fabric machines with two wings and one or more piston engines driving propellers. The technology of military aircraft evolved, and the two wings became one wing. The cockpit became enclosed and the pilot, or pilots, gained an on-board oxygen supply. The structure and skin became metal by World War Two whilst the piston driven propeller was replaced by a jet engine and the wing became swept to allow for supersonic flight, as the military fighter flew higher and faster.
Eventually engine exhaust nozzles could be vectored for better aerobatics and the infra-red signature of an exhaust suppressed to counter missiles. The transport aircraft remained subsonic but became larger with either jet power or many propellers. A wider variety of military aircraft saw platforms dedicated to missions such as early warning with huge radars. Fighter jets became bombers and electronic warfare specialists, jamming enemy ground radar and communications, not just high-speed interceptors designed for dog fights. A navigator or weapon systems officer would operate the complex avionics systems for these specialised missions and increasingly these onboard computers are linked to a network of satellites. Eventually composites and special coatings came to replace the metal skins as radar defeating stealth technology was adopted.
The Future of Aircraft Technology
On this page you can find the latest in technological developments for military aircraft, piloted or autonomous. You will find here a central resource for the latest advances in aerospace science and engineering, where you can track the progress of research and development programmes around the world, whether they are radar scattering fuselages for stealth, drone wingmen, supersonic engines or avionics that are networked with ground, air and space assets.
B-2 vs B-21: What's the difference between the USAF's old and new stealth bombers?
The USAF has officially entered the age of sixth-generation combat aircraft with the B-21 Raider. Combat Aircraft Journal reports on the rollout of America’s second stealth bomber and analyzes what we know so far about this highly classified aircraft
USAF’s new B-21 Raider stealth bomber soars into American skies
The USAF and Northrop Grumman marked a major key milestone in the development and testing of the B-21 Raider on November 10, when the new sixth-generation stealth bomber – which is intended to be the successor to both the B-1B Lancer and B-2A Spirit – graced American skies for the first time
ADEX 2023: KAI expects next LAH production contract by end of year
KAI is awaiting a second production contract for Light Attack Helicopters (LAH) from Seoul, and this follow-on order is now expected to be placed before the end of 2023
ADEX 2023: KAI eyes development of new Surion variants for South Korea
KAI is close to completing the production of more than 200 KUH-1 Surion helicopters for the Republic of Korea Army, but the firm’s focus is now on designing two new variants: the Marine Attack Helicopter (MAH) and Mine Countermeasures Helicopter (MCH)
How did the BAC One-Eleven help pave safer air travel?
A debt owed: The BAC One-Eleven was one of the brilliant successes of British aviation – but its journey into service was marred by the loss of the prototype and its crew on October 22, 1963. Stephen Skinner recounts that dark day
ADEX 2023: KAI’s KF-21 Boramae makes public debut in South Korea
Korea Aerospace Industries and South Korea’s Defense Acquisition and Procurement Agency publicly showcased the developmental KF-21 Boramae multi-role fighter at the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2023, which was held from October 17-22
USAF carries out final operational E-8C JSTARS sortie
The USAF has marked the end of an era in airborne command, control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations after the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) fleet flew its final operational mission on September 21
USAF gifts sole TE-8A JSTARS trainer to Louisiana college
Following its retirement from operational use, the USAF’s sole Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) training aircraft has been donated to the Sowela Technical Community College in Lake Charles, Louisiana
US Navy’s unmanned MQ-4C Triton fleet achieves IOC
Northrop Grumman’s MQ-4C Triton HALE UAV achieved Initial Operational Capability with the US Navy in early September
USAF releases new B-21 stealth bomber images as engine tests begin
The USAF announced on September 12 that the first B-21 Raider stealth bomber prototype had commenced engine runs at Northrop Grumman’s facility in Palmdale, California, as part of its ground test programme
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