Richard P. Hallion Livres

The book explores the evolution of battlefield air attacks, detailing the significant advancements in aerial warfare from its inception in 1911 through to the conclusion of World War II. It highlights key technological developments, strategic shifts, and the impact of air power on military tactics throughout this transformative period in history.

The book offers a comprehensive history of flight-testing Xplanes, featuring detailed accounts of iconic aircraft such as the X-1 and XZ-15, piloted by aviation legends like Chuck Yeager. It explores groundbreaking NASA and Defense Department programs that advanced aeronautical technology for military, space, and commercial applications. With a thoroughly updated text, three new chapters, and a wealth of rare photographs, this work serves as an essential resource for aviation enthusiasts and anyone interested in the evolution of manned flight.

"The bombing campaign that was meant to keep South Vietnam secure, Rolling Thunder became a byword for pointless, ineffective brutality, and was a key factor in America's Vietnam defeat. But in its failures, Rolling Thunder was one of the most influential air campaigns of the Cold War. It spurred a renaissance in US air power and the development of an excellent new generation of US combat aircraft, and it was still closely studied by the planners of the devastatingly successful Gulf War air campaign. Dr Richard P. Hallion, a vastly knowledgeable air power expert at the Pentagon, explains in this fully illustrated study how the might of the US air forces was crippled by inadequate strategic thinking, poor pilot training, ill-suited aircraft, and political interference."-- Amazon.ca

Orville and Wilbur Wright, two bicycle-making brothers from Dayton, Ohio, secured their place as the most famous names in aviation history when, on December 17, 1903, they made the first powered, controlled, and sustained heavier-than-air flight. But their success over the cold and windswept Carolina dunes that day has overshadowed their many other accomplishments before and after that historic flight. The Wrights' progression from theory to analysis to ground-testing components and wing shapes, and to then flight-testing kites, gliders, and their first powered aeroplane, marked the world's first successful X-Plane research and development program. They established a template all subsequent aircraft have followed, one still relevant in the era of hypersonic flight and drone research. This book traces the Wright Brothers' story, from their first success on that cold December day throughout their glory years to their eventual eclipse by other aviators. It explores in detail the process that lead them to their pioneering craft and their many subsequent achievements over the following years, and highlights their enduring importance in the age of modern flight

"Operation Desert Storm took just over six weeks to destroy Saddam Hussein's war machine: a 39-day air campaign followed by a four-day ground assault. It shattered what had been the world's fourth-largest army and sixth-largest air force, and overturned conventional military assumptions about the effectiveness and value of air power. In this book, author Richard P. Hallion, one of the world's foremost experts on air warfare, explains why Desert Storm was a revolutionary victory, a war won with no single climatic battle. Instead, victory came thanks to a rigorously planned campaign. It began with an opening night that smashed Iraq's advanced air defense system, and allowed systematic follow-on strikes to savage its military infrastructure and field capabilities. When the Coalition tanks finally rolled into Iraq, it was less an assault than an occupation. The rapid victory in Desert Storm, which surprised many observers, led to widespread military reform as the world saw the new capabilities of precision air power, and it ushered in today's era of high-tech air warfare."--Back cover

The book delves into the pivotal role of naval air power during the Korean War, highlighting the dramatic shift from piston-engine to jet-propelled aircraft. Dr. Hallion captures the essence of this significant conflict in aviation history, exploring its impact on military strategy and technology. Through detailed analysis, the work offers insights into the evolution of aerial combat and the experiences of those involved, making it an essential resource for understanding this transformative period in military aviation.