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.
First Triton IFC-4 UAV delivered to US Navy
The first Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to the Integrated Functional Capability 4 standard has been delivered to the US Navy
Second flight test of AARGM-ER missile deemed a success
Northrop Grumman has announced the completion of the second flight test of its AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile Extended Range launched from an F/A-18 Super Hornet at the Point Mugu Sea Range off the coast of California
Brazil moves to acquire the V-BAT drone
Shield AI has announced that it has signed a contract with VSK Tactical, through reseller and facilitator Contingent Global, to provide Brazil with V-BAT 128 unmanned aircraft systems
DARPA targets AI assistant for US rotary pilots
Northrop Grumman has been awarded a contract from the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Perceptually-enabled Task Guidance programme to develop a prototype artificial intelligence assistant
The story behind the USAF's failed E-10A MC2A programme
The Northrop Grumman E-10A Multi-Sensor Command and Control Aircraft was an ambitious program to replace several types with a single model. As we reveal, it proved to be too ambitious and was quickly dropped when the USAF needed funds for higher priority projects
In case you missed it: Key.Aero’s Top Historic Articles of 2021
In case you missed any of them, we’ve put together our top 10 articles of 2021 for some seasonal reading!
Fire for effect: ALCMs meet the grade
The development of stand-off air-launched cruise missiles has increased lethality for their operators and proved their worth in combat missions
Everything you need to know about the B-21 Raider ahead of its roll-out
The USAF's new long-range strategic stealth bomber, the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider, is set to reshape the service's global strike force later this decade. We reveal what is known so far about this next-generation bomber ahead of its formal roll-out next year
US Navy awards AGM-88G missile production contract
The US Navy has awarded Northrop Grumman the contract to proceed with low-rate initial production for the AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile Extended Range
US industry completes test flight of scramjet-powered hypersonic missile
Raytheon Missiles & Defense, a Raytheon Technologies business, in partnership with Northrop Grumman, completed the first flight test of a scramjet-powered Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept weapon system
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