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.
KAI’s KF-X prototype enters final assembly
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) launched final assembly of its first Korea Fighter eXperiment (KF-X) multi-role fighter prototype at its Sacheon facility in the South Gyeongsang province on September 1.
Britain’s Most Successful Commercial Jetliner
The last bastions of British-made jetliners are long gone except for one example that continues to live on. Key.Aero discovers that while arguably the country’s lesser-known offering, the British Aerospace 146 is the UK’s most successful civil jet airliner programme.
EXCLUSIVE: Flying the X-59 QueSST
In the second of a series of exclusive videos, Key.Aero speaks with Lockheed Martin's resident test pilot, Dan "Dog" Canin, who will be one of the few pilots to fly the X-59 QueSST low-boom demonstrator.
YF-23 Black Widow II: Diamonds Aren't Forever
The story behind how Northrop's YF-23 Black Widow II lost a near-decade-long 'race' with the Lockheed's YF-22 to win the Advanced Tactical Fighter programme.
What's it like to fly a B-2 Spirit?
Key.Aero speaks to Captain John Wisocky, who recently flew the B-2 Spirit on a mission from the US to the Arctic Circle
NATO receives fourth Phoenix
The fourth RQ-4D Phoenix unmanned aerial system (UAS) was delivered to NATO’s Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) Force at Sigonella air base, Italy, on July 26.
Inside the world’s biggest aircraft carrier
Three years to the day since President Trump commissioned it, we take a closer look at the USS Gerald R. Ford – so big it has space for over 75 aircraft and can launch 220 airstrikes a day.
B-2 Spirit’s Arctic Mission
Thirty-one years after its first flight on July 17 1989, the B-2 Spirit may meet its replacement next year – but the world’s only flying wing still has a global presence.
Bonus content: Watch dramatic video footage of two B-2 Spirits being refuelled by a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker while on a mission north of the Arctic Circle.
US approves French E-2D acquisition
The US State Department has approved the possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of three Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft and associated equipment to France.
Australia to procure an additional MQ-4C Triton
The Australian Department of Defence has announced that it will acquire a third Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
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