Aerospace Stories

Handicapping the U.S. Air Force KC-X Tanker/Transport Competition

By John D. Gresham in Aerospace under Defense Technology, Featured with no comments

Handicapping the U.S. Air Force KC-X Tanker/Transport Competition

Over a decade since the original KC-X Tanker Modernization requirement to replace the aging U.S Air Force (USAF) fleet of KC-135 Stratotankers was first identified, it appears that a contract will finally be ...more »

Back to the Drawing Board: The Big and Not So Beautiful Vultee XP-54

By Robert F. Dorr in Aerospace under History with 2 comments

Back to the Drawing Board: The Big and Not So Beautiful Vultee XP-54

It would be unthinkable today, but during World War II the burgeoning U.S. aircraft industry was able to design, develop, and test numerous warplanes that were not needed and never had a realistic ...more »

The LAAR Lightweight Combat Aircraft Is Coming to the Air Force

By Robert F. Dorr in Aerospace under Defense Technology, Featured with 9 comments

The LAAR Lightweight Combat Aircraft Is Coming to the Air Force

A small, nimble warplane – an economical featherweight compared to robust combat aircraft like the 40-ton F-15E Strike Eagle – now enjoys a high priority on the Air Force’s shopping list as the ...more »

The XF-85 Goblin: The “Parasite” Fighter That Didn’t Work

By Robert F. Dorr in Aerospace under Defense Technology, History with no comments

The XF-85 Goblin: The “Parasite” Fighter That Didn’t Work

The McDonnell XF-85 Goblin was the only American aircraft designed on the drawing board as a “parasite” fighter – meant to be launched from, and retrieved by, another aircraft in flight.

It was one ...more »

Guns of the Kiowa Warriors

By Scott R. Gourley in Aerospace under Defense Technology, Featured, News with no comments

Guns of the Kiowa Warriors

The U.S. Army is nearing completion on a machine gun replacement program that is providing a significant expansion of battlefield capabilities for the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior fleet.

Described as “the highest OPTEMPO aircraft in ...more »

Light Utility Helicopter: UH-72A Lakota Introduction Progresses Rapidly

By Jan Tegler in Aerospace under Defense Technology, News with no comments

Light Utility Helicopter: UH-72A Lakota Introduction Progresses Rapidly

“The biggest benefit for me is the lower workload, and that’s a direct result of the aircraft’s altitude hold and autopilot. I’ve always had to hand-fly everything I’ve flown,” said CW4 Mike Tucker, ...more »

Tokyo Raiders: The Doolittle Raid Restored American Confidence

By Robert F. Dorr in Aerospace under History with no comments

Tokyo Raiders: The Doolittle Raid Restored American Confidence

The first step toward America going on the offensive in the Pacific war was taken on April 18, 1942, on the noisy wooden deck of the aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV 8). Joe ...more »

In a Whirl: 2009 Battlefield Helicopter Review

By Eric Tegler in Aerospace under Defense Technology, Featured with 4 comments

In a Whirl: 2009 Battlefield Helicopter Review

If anything became evident two-thirds of the way through 2009, it was that where rotary-wing weapon systems are concerned, defense establishments are taking a highly selective approach to acquisition, modernization and fielding. Cost ...more »

The Few Who Got Up

By Robert F. Dorr in Aerospace under History with 5 comments

The Few Who Got Up

At 7:55 a.m. on Dec. 7, 1941, six aircraft carriers and 360 aircraft of the Japanese 1st Air Fleet led by Vice Adm. Chuichi Nagumo launched air strikes on U.S. installations in the ...more »

Task Force Normandy Fired the Opening Shots of Desert Storm

By Robert F. Dorr in Aerospace under Featured, History with 2 comments

Task Force Normandy Fired the Opening Shots of Desert Storm

At 2:38 a.m. on Jan. 17, 1991, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Tom Drew launched Operation Desert Storm by speaking into his radio microphone: “Party in ten.” The pilot of an AH-64 Apache attack ...more »

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