The Su-25 is a twin-engine, single- and tandem-seat, ground-attack and weapons-training aircraft powered by two Tumansky/Soyuz R-195 turbojet engines rated 9,921 lb. thrust each. First prototype flight occurred in 1975. A number of versions have been produced, the most recent of which, the Su-25TM, includes new avionics and increased fuel capacity. Production of the Su-25 ended in the 1990s after more than 1,200 were built.
The SH-2 Seasprite is a multipurpose naval helicopter. The two most recent variants are the SH-2F, powered by two GE T58-GE-8F turboshaft engines rated at 1,350 shp each, and the SH-2G, powered by two GE T700-GE-401s rated at 1,690 shp each. Although Kaman still markets the Seasprite, no new aircraft have been built since the early 1990s. Kaman has built 191 Seasprites since the first flight in 1959.
The Hawk is a single-engine, two-seat trainer and light-attack aircraft. A single-seat light fighter variant (the Hawk 200) is operated by several countries. All Hawk variants are powered by an unaugmented turbofan engine of Rolls-Royce Turbomeca's Adour series: The Hawk T1/1A uses the Mk 151 (5,200 lb. thrust); Hawk 50, the Mk 851 (5,340 lb. thrust); Hawk 60, the Mk 861 (5,700 lb. thrust); Hawk 100/200, the Mk 871 (6,270 lb. thrust); and Hawk 128 AJT, the Mk 951 (6,800 lb. thrust).
The F-16 is a single-engine multirole fighter. The initial F-16 prototype flew in 1974 under the General Dynamics brand. Lockheed Martin continues to produce the aircraft, which has also been built under license by a number of companies. The F-16A, F-16C and F-16E are single-seat fighters, while the F-16B, F-16D and F-16F are tandem-seat, combat-capable trainer versions. Power for the F-16 comes from a single turbofan engine. In the modern F-16C/D, this is either a 29,100-lb.-thrust Pratt & Whitney F-100-PW-229 or a 29,500-lb.-thrust GE F110-GE-129.
The MD 500 series is a family of 4-6-seat, single-engine, single-rotor military and commercial utility helicopters. The series comprises three models: the 500E, 530F and 520N. Demand for the 500E comes primarily from law enforcement and government operators. It is also well-suited for powerline inspection, which requires a high level of maneuverability and stability. The 530F offers superior hot-day, high-altitude performance over the 500E, increasing takeoff power 18%. The 520N model adds MDHI's proprietary Notar (No Tail Rotor) technology.
The A-10 Thunderbolt II is a single-seat ground-attack aircraft powered by a pair of General Electric TF34-GE-100 turbofan engines rated at 9,065 lb. thrust each. First flight of an A-10 prototype occurred in 1972 and by 1984, 713 A-10As had been built for the U.S. Air Force. Conversion of a portion of the service's A-10A fleet for use in forward air control was subsequently performed, resulting in the OA-10 configuration.
The Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter is a twin-turboshaft, multirole helicopter originally powered by Turbomeca TM333-2B2 turboshaft engines rated 1,000 shp each. Deliveries of a variant equipped with the new Turbomeca/HAL Ardiden 1H1 turboshaft engine began in 2011. The Ardiden 1H1 is produced and marketed in India under the name Shakti. The Dhruv's first flight with twin Ardiden 1H1 engines, each rated at 1,200 shp, took place in January 2009.
Additive manufacturing has captured industry's imagination, but even as the first parts appear inside jet engines, the technology's possibilities are only just being realized.
Since the end of the Cold War, France has roughly halved its nuclear arsenal and eliminated the option to conduct land-based strikes. But with 300 warheads still in its stockpile, Paris is investing in a major upgrade of its deterrent force through 2030, with plans to modernize strategic submarine and aircraft fleets, missiles, warheads, communications networks and production facilities.
Marketing of the 767 AWACS, also known as the E-767, began in 1991 as a follow-on to the 707 AWACS. The E-767 is powered by two GE CF6-80C2 turbofan engines rated at 61,500 lb. thrust, and has a crew of two plus 19 AWACS mission specialists. System suppliers include Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin. The 767 AWACS competes with Boeing's 737 AEW&C aircraft and the Northrop Grumman E-2D. Only four E-767s have been produced, and all are in service with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Boeing also markets a tanker/transport version of the 767 known as the KC-767.
The Sikorsky S-300C is a piston-powered, 2-3-seat light-utility and training helicopter acquired by Sikorsky when it bought Schweizer Aircraft in 2004. The S-300C has its roots in the Hughes Helicopter Model 269/300 family of helicopters. Schweizer produced its first 300C in 1984 after signing a deal with Hughes in 1983. Specially configured models of the S-300C have been offered for a variety of dedicated military missions, including introductory pilot training and scout/observation.
The E-3/E-6/E-8 series is a family of special-purpose military aircraft based on the Boeing 707. All three models are currently out of production. Some 76 E-3s, 17 E-6s and 20 E-8s were built. The E-3 AWACS platform made its first flight in February 1972. Production E-3s were powered by either four Pratt & Whitney TF33 engines or four CFM56-2 engines. First flight of the E-6A Tacamo II communications platform, which uses four F108-CF-100 (CFM56-2A-2) turbofans, took place in 1987.
The AH-6i light-attack/reconnaissance helicopter is a single-engine aircraft. Boeing began work on a prototype aircraft in early 2009, with the first flight occurring in September of that year. Intended for international customers, the AH-6i features an integrated, AH-64 Apache-like digital cockpit and a communications package that enables the aircraft to connect with other aircraft and ground stations. Four weapons stations support the M-134D 7.62-mm minigun, GAU-19 12.7-mm minigun, M260 seven-shot rocket pod, laser-guided 70-mm rockets and Hellfire missiles.
The J-20 is a twin-engine fighter aircraft with apparent stealth features. It first flew in January 2011 and is scheduled to become operational in 2017-19. Little is known about Chinese aircraft programs, and the effectiveness of the low-observable features on the aircraft is a matter of debate. Analysis of the exterior features of the aircraft has tended to question its agility. The aircraft may be designed for long-range attack missions or as an aircraft that can penetrate the U.S.
The Apache is a twin-engine, tandem-seat attack helicopter. The current production model is the AH-64E, available either as a new-build aircraft or as an upgrade of existing helicopters. The AH-64E is fitted with GE T700 engines; the British WAH-64D features a pair of Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322 engines. Apache armament includes an M230 30-mm Chain Gun with 1,200 rounds and four underwing hardpoints that can accommodate up to 16 Hellfire antitank missiles, up to 76 6.985-cm air-to-ground rockets, or a combination of Hellfires and rockets.
The Lynx is a twin-engine, multirole military helicopter that has been produced in a variety of models for antisubmarine warfare, training, utility and transport roles. The Super Lynx 300 series aircraft is powered by a pair of LHTEC CTS800 turboshaft engines rated 1,384 shp each. The upgraded AW159 Lynx Wildcat, designed for the U.K. military, features a new airframe, CTS800-4N engines rated 1,361 shp each and a new glass cockpit. The AW159 variant's first flight occurred in November 2009.
The Rafale is available in single- or two-seat configurations, and can serve as a land- or sea-based air-superiority, air-combat and ground-attack aircraft. First flight occurred in 1986, and deliveries began in 1999. The prototype was powered by two GE F404-GE-400 augmented turbofans (16,860 lb. thrust each); production aircraft use two Snecma M88-2 augmented turbofans rated 16,400 lb. thrust each.
The Tornado is a two-seat strike and air-combat aircraft that first flew in 1974. All versions are powered by two Turbo-Union RB199 afterburning turbofan engines. Production was completed in 1998 after 992 aircraft had been built. The aircraft is in service with Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia and the U.K.
The PC-9 is a tandem-seat military flight trainer. A PC-9 prototype first flew in May 1984, followed by initial deliveries in 1986; the PC-9M was introduced in 1997. The PC-9M is powered by a single 1,150-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-62 turboprop engine. Approximately 280 aircraft were built through 2006, when the last PC-9 was produced. A PC-9 variant, the Beechcraft T-6A, is used for the U.S. Air Force and Navy Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS).
The Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) is a single-seat multirole fighter/attack aircraft designed for an Indian military requirement; a two-seat trainer version is also being developed. Initial production aircraft are powered by GE F404-GE-IN20 augmented turbofans rated at 18,700 lb. thrust each. Although later production aircraft were to feature the indigenously designed Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) GTX-35VS Kaveri augmented turbofan. The Indian government has now decided to use the GE F414-GE-INS6 (rated at 22,000 lb.
Preliminary design studies for the B-52 heavy bomber began in 1946 and, in 1952, a prototype made its maiden flight. Production continued until 1962, reaching a total of 744 aircraft plus two prototypes. Seventy-four H models remain in U.S. Air Force service and are the subject of several modernization programs. B-52H bombers are powered by eight Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-33 turbofans (17,000 lb. thrust each).
Paul Anderson B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Ph.D. candidate in Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado. GPA: 4.0 Research: Evolution of the geosynchronous orbital debris environment. Undergraduate Research: Development of Stability Conditions of Oblique Wave Trains
The Beechcraft King Air series of pressurized, twin-turboprop-powered transport aircraft that see widespread use in a variety of roles, including basic utility, medevac, training and VIP transport. In addition, highly modified King Airs are used as maritime patrol and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms. In U.S. military service, variants are designated C-12. The MC-12W Liberty ISR aircraft is a recent version. Initial flight of a King Air took place in 1964.
