As many may not be aware, one of my interests is strategic and defense affairs. I am specially interested in combat planes. My interests were kindled at an early age when my father first bought for me The Encyclopedia of Combat Planes from one of his tours. My interests were further enhanced by the Wings program which had complete history shown on Discovery channel.
Here i am trying to make a list of my most favorite aircrafts. When one talks about combat planes, one can never ignore the contributions made by the Americans and the Russians. They are the world leaders in Aeronautics. While the Americans concentrated more on the aesthetic aspect of the plane, it was all about getting the job done for the Russians. The Russian planes were rugged and tough. The Americans concentrated more on making high end and high tech planes. I have curtailed my countdown to planes that entered services after the 1950's. It is done to limit the planes that I can deal. In the first part, I am dealing with combat planes. Combat planes are the main stay of any air force. Now here is my count down:
COMBAT PLANES
SU-30 MKI (FLANKER H)
The SU-30 MKI is a joint collaboration between the Russian Sukhoi Corporation and the Indian HAL. Derived from the venerable SU-27, SU-30 MKI was conceived as an air superiority aircraft by has proved to be a multi role combat aircraft . The MKI is a true hybrid aircraft with it's avionics sourced from India, Israel, France, Russia and South Africa. MKI is a 4.5 generation aircraft and is one of the most technologically advanced aircrafts in the world surpassed only by the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Lightning. Entering services with the No-20 Squadron (Lightnings), the MKI will be main weapon for the IAF for the first half of this century with over 280 expected to enter services by the year 2015 equipping around 16 squadrons . Having advanced avionics and radars, the MKI can also act as mini AWACS networking and leading other aircrafts in an areal attack. The MKI is a true force multiplier and a true asset for the IAF.
BOEING-B 52
The legendary B-52 Strato-Fortress, the mainstay of the American Bomber Fleet was first conceived as he strategic bomber capable of delivering nuclear weapons to the former USSR should an hostility ensue. Times have changed and USSR has all but disappeared. But the versatility of the B-52 has ensured that the plane now also transformed to a conventional bomb carrier will see service up to 2050's, that is a good 100 years after it entered service making it one of the longest serving aircraft in history. . With many derivatives, B-52 will always be considered as one of the greatest aircraft ever built. B-52 is my favorite aircraft of all times, mostly for it's versatility and ruggedness .
SR-71 ( Black Bird)
The SR-71 (Black Bird) was the long range reconnaissance aircraft in service with the USAF. A product of the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works Program led by Legendary Aircraft Designer Kelly Johnson who also designed the U-2, the SR-71 was a marvel in itself. Unchallenged, it flew over most of the world. It flew so high and so fast that no missile could ever intercept it. Conceived as a replacement to the U-2, SR-71 was in active service until 1998 when it was retired giving way to new generation of unmanned drones and satellites. In my view, SR-71 will always be the greatest aircraft ever built. Shrouded in secrecy for the much of it's life, SR-71 remained unchallenged in it's capability until it's retirement.
MIG-25
The Mig-25 was the Soviet answer to the SR-71. Designed by the legendary design bureau Mikoyan-Gurevich Mig-25 flew with impunity and saw service in the USSR Airforce and the Airforce of many allies. The Mig-25 formed the Reconnaissance mainstay of the Indian Airforce being part of the No-102 Trisonics Squadron flying with impunity and unchallenged over the airspace of India's Neighbours. IAF retired these aircraft in 2006 giving way to modern unmanned drones and satellites. But for me Mig-25 will be considered one of the greatest aircrafts to come out of the former Soviet Union along with Mig-21. The Mig-25 also holds the record of the second highest flown aircraft after the SR-71.
U-2
The legendary Lockheed U-2, no words can describe this icon of modern aviation. One of the oldest serving Reconnaissance Aircraft with the USAF, it was developed by the Lockheed Skunk Works under the leadership of Legendary Kelly Johnson. This marvel has flown over almost all the countries. Even though shot down by the former USSR, U-2 till date remains the most effective Recon plane in the world, out living it's replacement, the legendary SR-71.
B-2 (Spirit)
The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit is the Stealth Bomber of the USAF. Incorporating stealth of high magnitude, the B-2 is the first stealth bomber ever to be deployed and is part of the stealth duo along with the smaller F-117 (Night Hawk). Developed as the replacement to the B-52 and B-1 bombers, B-2 was designed to penetrate the Russian airspace undetected and carry nuclear weapons. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the number was scaled down to 21. 20 remain in service serving in much of the modern wars. The famous anecdote is that when the B-2 was under test, many seeing it's queer odd size of flying wing mistook it for a UFO. The Flying Wing concept was always the brain child of Jack Northrop but B-2 he was old when B-2 had become operational.
F-117 ( Night Hawk)
The first stealth fighter, the F-117 proved it's mettle in the gulf war. A ground attack aircraft, F-117 was introduced in 1983 and retired in 2008 after a production run of 60 aircrafts.
FA-18 (Hornet)
The Boeing FA-18 (Super Hornet) is twin engine carrier based multi role fighter. After the retirement of the F-14 (Tomcat), the FA-18 is currently the main combat aircraft of the United States Navy. A product of McDonnel Douglas, the aircraft was first introduced in 1997 in it's Super Hornet version and has seen action in almost all the war since then with remarkable success.
F-16 (Fighting Falcon)
First developed by General Dynamics as an air superiority fighter, the F-16 has developed into a multirole fighter. With a production run of more than 4500 aircrafts, the F-16 can be termed as one of the most successful aircrafts of the modern age doing duty in major air forces around the world.
This is a general list of my most favourate modern aircraft.
(Disclaimer: The data given above are generally available in public domain including public repositories like Wikipedia. Care has been taken not include any classified information. Readers discretion is adviced
Here i am trying to make a list of my most favorite aircrafts. When one talks about combat planes, one can never ignore the contributions made by the Americans and the Russians. They are the world leaders in Aeronautics. While the Americans concentrated more on the aesthetic aspect of the plane, it was all about getting the job done for the Russians. The Russian planes were rugged and tough. The Americans concentrated more on making high end and high tech planes. I have curtailed my countdown to planes that entered services after the 1950's. It is done to limit the planes that I can deal. In the first part, I am dealing with combat planes. Combat planes are the main stay of any air force. Now here is my count down:
COMBAT PLANES
SU-30 MKI (FLANKER H)
BOEING-B 52
SR-71 ( Black Bird)
The SR-71 (Black Bird) was the long range reconnaissance aircraft in service with the USAF. A product of the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works Program led by Legendary Aircraft Designer Kelly Johnson who also designed the U-2, the SR-71 was a marvel in itself. Unchallenged, it flew over most of the world. It flew so high and so fast that no missile could ever intercept it. Conceived as a replacement to the U-2, SR-71 was in active service until 1998 when it was retired giving way to new generation of unmanned drones and satellites. In my view, SR-71 will always be the greatest aircraft ever built. Shrouded in secrecy for the much of it's life, SR-71 remained unchallenged in it's capability until it's retirement.
MIG-25
U-2
The legendary Lockheed U-2, no words can describe this icon of modern aviation. One of the oldest serving Reconnaissance Aircraft with the USAF, it was developed by the Lockheed Skunk Works under the leadership of Legendary Kelly Johnson. This marvel has flown over almost all the countries. Even though shot down by the former USSR, U-2 till date remains the most effective Recon plane in the world, out living it's replacement, the legendary SR-71.
B-2 (Spirit)
The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit is the Stealth Bomber of the USAF. Incorporating stealth of high magnitude, the B-2 is the first stealth bomber ever to be deployed and is part of the stealth duo along with the smaller F-117 (Night Hawk). Developed as the replacement to the B-52 and B-1 bombers, B-2 was designed to penetrate the Russian airspace undetected and carry nuclear weapons. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the number was scaled down to 21. 20 remain in service serving in much of the modern wars. The famous anecdote is that when the B-2 was under test, many seeing it's queer odd size of flying wing mistook it for a UFO. The Flying Wing concept was always the brain child of Jack Northrop but B-2 he was old when B-2 had become operational.
F-117 ( Night Hawk)
The first stealth fighter, the F-117 proved it's mettle in the gulf war. A ground attack aircraft, F-117 was introduced in 1983 and retired in 2008 after a production run of 60 aircrafts.
FA-18 (Hornet)
The Boeing FA-18 (Super Hornet) is twin engine carrier based multi role fighter. After the retirement of the F-14 (Tomcat), the FA-18 is currently the main combat aircraft of the United States Navy. A product of McDonnel Douglas, the aircraft was first introduced in 1997 in it's Super Hornet version and has seen action in almost all the war since then with remarkable success.
F-16 (Fighting Falcon)
First developed by General Dynamics as an air superiority fighter, the F-16 has developed into a multirole fighter. With a production run of more than 4500 aircrafts, the F-16 can be termed as one of the most successful aircrafts of the modern age doing duty in major air forces around the world.
This is a general list of my most favourate modern aircraft.
(Disclaimer: The data given above are generally available in public domain including public repositories like Wikipedia. Care has been taken not include any classified information. Readers discretion is adviced
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