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F-15 Eagle
An F-15 launches an AIM-7 Sparrow radar-guided, air-to-air missile with a high-explosive warhead. The versatile Sparrow has all-weather, all-altitude operational capability and can attack high-performance aircraft and missiles from any direction. The F-15's superior maneuverability and acceleration are achieved through high engine thrust-to-weight ratio and low wing loading. Low wing-loading (the ratio of aircraft weight to its wing area) is a vital factor in maneuverability and, combined with the high thrust-to-weight ratio, enables the aircraft to turn tightly without losing airspeed.
Primary function: Tactical fighter
Power plant: 2 turbofan engines with afterburners
Thrust: 23,450 pounds each engine
Wing span: 42.8 feet
Length: 63.8 feet
Height: 18.5 feet
Speed: 1,875 mph (Mach 2.5 plus)
Maximum takeoff weight: 68,000 pounds
Ceiling: 65,000 feet
Range: 3,450 miles (with three external fuel tanks)
Crew: F-15A/C: one. F-15B/D/E: two
Armament: One six-barrel, internally mounted 20mm cannon with 940 rounds of ammunition; four AIM-9L/M Sidewinder and four AIM-7F/M Sparrow air-to-air missiles, or eight AIM-120 AMRAAMs
Delta Dart F-106 (Vintage 1956-1960)
An F-106A Delta Dart fires a missile. The F-106 is an all-weather interceptor, developed from the Convair F-102 "Delta Dagger." The F-106 uses a Hughes MA-1 electronic guidance and fire control system. After takeoff, the MA-1 can be given control of the aircraft to fly it to the proper altitude and attack position. Then it can fire the Genie and Falcon missiles, break off the attack, and return the aircraft to its base. The pilot then takes control again for landing.
F-16 The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multirole fighter aircraft. It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States.
A-10 The A-10 Warthog is specifically designed for close air support of ground forces. The A-10 is a highly effective "Tank Buster." This aircraft is an accurate heavy weapons-delivery platform, with excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude. The Thunderbolt II's 30mm GAU-8/A Gatling gun can fire 3,900 rounds a minute and can defeat an array of ground targets. The A-10 proved to be a vital asset during Operation Desert Storm. In the Gulf War, A-10s, flew 8,100 sorties and launched 90 percent of the AGM-65 Maverick missiles.
Power Plant: Two TF34-GE-100 turbofans
Thrust: 9,065 pounds each engine
Length: 53 feet, 4 inches
Height: 14 feet, 8 inches
Wingspan: 57 feet, 6 inches
Speed: 420 miles per hour (Mach 0.56)
Ceiling: 45,000 feet
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 51,000 pounds
Range: 800 miles (695 nautical miles)
Armament: One 30 mm seven-barrel Gatling gun; up to 16,000 pounds of mixed ordnance on eight under-wing and three under-fuselage pylon stations, including 500 pounds of retarded bombs, 2,000 pounds of general-purpose bombs, incendiary and Rockeye II cluster bombs, combined effects munitions, Maverick missiles and laser-guided electro-optically guided bombs; infrared countermeasure flares; electronic countermeasure chaff; jammer pods; 2.75-inch rockets; illumination flares and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.
Boeing B-52 H Stratofortress
Power: 8 Pratt & Whitney Turbojets
Thrust: 13,750 lbs
Speed: 660 mph
Wingspan: 185 ft.
Length: 158 ft.
Height: 40 ft. 8 in.
Range: 8,500 miles
Ceiling: 55,000 ft.
Weight: 448,000 lbs.
Payload: 66,000 lbs.
The venerable Boeing B-52 Has been one of the most successful strategic bombers in the history of global air power. Placed in service in 1958 the Stratofortress is still flying. This highly-flexible platform has supported numerous up-dates and technology enhancements. It has fulfilled a vital role in nearly every military action since the Korean War, and most recently in Desert Storm, the Gulf War. With continued up-dates, it is anticipated that the B-52 will continue to serve the U.S. over the next few decades.
The B-52 is a very effective platform for missions ranging from conventional bombing to the delivery and launch platform for the deadly accurate Cruise Missile.
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