Favorite Modern Military Aircraft

AFSteliga

Token Canadian Moder'eh'tor
Fairly straightforward. Just post your favorite modern (Vietnam era to Present) military aircraft is.

Mine would have to be the CF-18A Hornet.
 
M1A2SEP Abrams....................oh, wait......

:lol:



Seriously though, I'd have to say the AH1W Supercobra, the AH1 series has been around since 1966, the AH1W variant since 1983, and it's still going strong, there is supposed to be development of a AH1Z in the works, but that's going to be the last variant. You know, what with running out of letters and all. :lol:
 
Aw crap, I forgot about helicopters.

I'd say my fav chopper is....the AH-64 Apache. No particular reason, it's just an amazing helicopter.
 
I personally like the B-52.

Modern... hm... The F-22 Raptor looks nice :) Seriously though, that thing just looks like it could kick POOF. I say this show about it and at the end I was just... wow...

Choppers? Blackhawk. Its so tough, takes a lightning bolt to knock it out of the sky.
 
Redneck said:
M1A2SEP Abrams....................oh, wait......


Well, given a decent sized dune, and a good start, she can fly. The landing won't be too pretty, but she can fly. :twisted:
 
My favorite modern aircraft? Well, when they experimentally put a chain gun on an osprey...it got me feeling good!

Got to be that V-22 Osprey

http://pma275.navair.navy.mil/

Heres the lowdown on one of the meanest tilt rotors around (as soon as they work the bugs out of it.... :D )
 
Nero said:
Redneck said:
M1A2SEP Abrams....................oh, wait......


Well, given a decent sized dune, and a good start, she can fly. The landing won't be too pretty, but she can fly. :twisted:

:lol: I've seen a few pictures of that, always seemed like it would be a bonecrushing experience for the crew.
 
Redleg, you would have really liked that B-25 Mitchel with the 75 mm cannon, and 8 - 50 cal machine guns...all facing forward. The first real gunships.

Michael Caiden wrote a good story about them called "Whip". ;)
 
This topic seems to be a wee bit broad. Maybe I'll do this.


1. Favorite Fighter
2. Fav. Interceptor
3. Fav. Cargo Plane
4. Fav. Bomber
5. Fav. Experimental A/C


1. CF-18 Hornet
2. See above
3. CC-130 Hercules
4. B-2 Spirit
5. X-35 JSF
 
AV-8B Harrier II

Primary function: Attack and destroy surface targets under day and night visual conditions.
Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas
Propulsion: One Rolls Royce F402-RR-408 turbofan engine
Thrust: F402-44-408: 23,400 pounds
Length: 46.3 feet (14.11 meters)
Wing span: 30.3 feet (9.24 meters)
Armament: MK-82 series 500lbs bombs, MK-83 series 1000lbs bombs, GBU-12 500lbs laser guided bombs, GBU-16 1000lbs laser guided bombs, AGM-65F IR Maverick missiles, AGM-65E Laser Maverick missiles, CBU-99 cluster munitions, AIM-9M sidewinders, Lightening II targeting POD to deliver GBU-12 and GBU-16 bombs with pinpoint accuracy.
Crew: 1
Introduction date: 12 January 1985, AV-8BII(Plus) introduced in June 1993
Unit Replacement Cost: $23,700,000

Mission: The mission of the VMA STOVL squadron is to attack and destroy surface and air targets, to escort helicopters, and to conduct other such air operations as may be directed. Specific tasks of the AV-8B HARRIER II include:
- Conduct close air support using conventional and specific weapons.
- Conduct deep air support, to include armed reconnaissance and air interdiction, using conventional and specific weapons.
- Conduct offensive and defensive antiair warfare. This includes combat air patrol, armed escort missions, and offensive missions against enemy ground-to-air defenses, all within the capabilities of the aircraft.
- Be able to operate and deliver ordnance at night and to operate under instrument flight conditions.
- Be able to deploy for extended operations employing aerial refueling.
- Be able to deploy to and operate from carriers and other suitable seagoing platforms, advanced bases, expeditionary airfields, and remote tactical landing sites.

Features: The AV-8B V/STOL strike aircraft was designed to replace the AV-8A and the A-4M light attack aircraft. The Marine Corps requirement for a V/STOL light attack force has been well documented since the late 1950's. Combining tactical mobility, responsiveness, reduced operating cost and basing flexibility, both afloat and ashore, V/STOL aircraft are particularly well-suited to the special combat and expeditionary requirements of the Marine Corps. The AV-8BII+ features the APG-65 Radar common to the F/A-18, as well as all previous systems and features common to the AV-8BII.

Inventory: 7 squadrons with 16 aircraft each and 1 training squadron.

Background: Operation Desert Storm in 1991 was highlighted by expeditionary air operations performed by the AV-8B. The Harrier II was the first Marine Corps tactical strike platform to arrive in theater, and subsequently operated from various basing postures. Three squadrons, totaling 60 aircraft, and one six-aircraft detachment operated ashore from an expeditionary airfield, while one squadron of 20 aircraft operated from a sea platform. During the ground war, AV-8Bs were based as close as 35 nautical miles (40.22 miles) from the Kuwait border, making them the most forward deployed tactical strike aircraft in theater. The AV-8B flew 3,380 sorties for a total of 4,083 flight hours while maintaining a mission capable rate in excess of 90%. Average turnaround time during the ground war surge rate flight operations was 23 minutes.


Semper Fi
 
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