Focusing on the development of the Super Hornet and Growler, this book details their origins from the late-1980s Hornet 2000 study aimed at enhancing the F/A-18 Hornet's capabilities. It highlights the evolution of the F/A-18E/F into a versatile strike fighter and the EA-18G's role in electronic warfare. Through interviews with key figures and press reports, the narrative explores the challenges faced during design and production, showcasing effective management strategies that led to timely and cost-efficient aircraft delivery.
The second of two titles on the US Navy's Phantom II MiG killers of the
Vietnam War, this volume covers the numerous actions fought over North Vietnam
during the Linebacker I and II operations of 1972-3. It features first-hand
accounts, and draws on primary sources and official documentation.
By the end of World War II, piston-powered fighters were at their absolute zenith. As good as those airplanes were America's aviation industry found itself starting over in the Jet Age with new airplanes powered by anemic and somewhat cantankerous turbine engines. More importantly, just as these new aircraft were maturing, they were thrust into war in the skies over Korea. Grumman's first jets were potent aircraft in their own right, but they also proved to be the building blocks from which two more famous Grumman 'cats' were born - the legendary A-6 Intruder and supersonic F-14 Tomcat. Grumman F9F Panther/Cougar tells the story of the pivotal F9F Panther from its initial concept through early design and manufacturing, flight test, aircraft carrier trials, and combat operations in the Korean War. Completing this story is coverage of the more advanced swept-wing transonic Cougar that goes on to become an effective trainer and photo-recon aircraft as well. Detailed appendices provide the reader with complete data on F9F production numbers, carrier deployments, and squadron histories.
This volume charts the successes of the navy fighter crews as they encountered
MIG's, missiles and AAA over the jungles of North Vietnam. It is packed with
first-hand accounts from combat veterans and features scale plans of all the
major navy F-4 variants. schovat popis
The Forrestal class (Forrestal, Saratoga, Ranger, and Independence) was the
first completed class of US Navy supercarriers, so-named for their 25 percent
size increase over the World War II-era carriers such as the Midway class, and
the strength of their air wings. This title deals with this topic.
The Nimitz class aircraft carrier is the ultimate symbol of the United States
superpower status. A true behemoth, this is an unsurpassed weapons platform
that overshadows all of its nearest rivals. This book looks at the development
and deployment of the nuclear-powered Nimitz class aircraft carriers from 1975
onwards.
This book is a concise, illustrated history of the US Navy and Marine Corps' most versatile jet strike fighter, the Boeing F/A-18 A-D Legacy Hornet. Presenting an historical perspective of the Legacy Hornet from its origins through today's use in the fleet, this edition explores the aircraft's various model upgrades and variants. The F/A-18 began as a less expensive complement to the Grumman F-14 Tomcat and Grumman A-6 Intruder, and was a replacement for the McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom II and LTV A-7 Corsair II. The Hornet evolved into a capable multi-mission strike fighter, performing fighter, suppression of enemy air defense, and light attack missions. This volume features a number of high-quality images that highlight the aircraft throughout its Navy and Marine Corps career.
This book provides a unique, illustrated history of the US Navy Fighter Weapons School's 50-year history. Currently located at Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada, TOPGUN was formed in late 1968 at Naval Air Station Miramar, California, to create a graduate-level course in fighter tactics for Navy pilots deploying to Vietnam. Before TOPGUN, Navy F-4 Phantom II fighter crews in Vietnam managed only a 2.5:1 kill ratio versus Soviet-built MiG-17 and MiG-21 fighters: after TOPGUN formed, the community tallied a 12.5:1 kill ratio. Since then, TOPGUN has become the standard-bearer of Navy fighter and strike fighter tactics and training and is recognized worldwide as a center of excellence. TOPGUN's tactics and pilot training are explained, as well as changes and developments throughout the years to the present day. All aircraft flown at TOPGUN since its founding are also shown, including A-4 Skyhawk, T-38A/B Talon, F-5E/F Tiger II, F-16N Viper, F-14A Tomcat, F/A-18 Hornet, F-16A/B Falcon, and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
The history of air combat has seen one recurring theme--new tactics are learned in battle, forgotten or discarded when battle concludes, and relearned at great cost during the next war. This cycle continued into the 1960s, when America was drawn into the Vietnam War. Despite having a skill and equipment advantage, US Navy aircrews were faring poorly against North Vietnamese fighters. Air combat lessons learned during prior wars, and since forgotten or deemed inapplicable due to advances in technology, were once again relevant. TOPGUN, the Navy's Fighter Weapons School, was established in 1968 to teach Navy aircrews the core air combat tactics, to train others in those tactics, and to ensure that naval aviation "never again" forgot its lessons learned. TOPGUN: The Legacy provides a unique, detailed, and never-before-told history of the Navy Fighter Weapons School. Based on over 450 interviews with graduates, instructors, and commanding officers, and thousands of pages of archival documents, this definitive study covers the early history of air combat tactical development, the school's founding in 1968, and its progression throughout the decades to the present day. TOPGUN's programs, significant events that shaped the school, and its unique culture have made it a center of excellence and the leading fighter weapons school worldwide.
