In the late 1970s, Northrop proposed the F-18L — a land-based variant of the F/A-18, stripped of naval constraints and optimised for speed, agility, and cost. Lighter, simpler, and potentially more capable in several key areas, it was designed to compete directly with...
Introduced in the early 1960s as a Mach 2 carrier-based nuclear bomber, the Vigilante pushed the limits of aviation technology. With cutting-edge systems like one of the first onboard digital computers, early fly-by-wire elements, and advanced navigation and bombing...
Australia joining the B-21 Raider program was considered, by some, to be the right strategic move—but ultimately policy makers walked away from the long-range bomber option. Was that the right decision? In this video, we break down the strategic, financial, and...
The F-117 Nighthawk is one of the most iconic aircraft in aviation history. It was the world’s first true stealth plane, created through the secret Project Have Blue by the Lockheed Skunk Works team. Its unique faceted shape was designed to deflect radar signals, and...
Dive into the shadowy world of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, the elite Night Stalkers who piloted the high-stakes US raid on Venezuela in Operation Absolute Resolve. From their origins post-Eagle Claw to mastering advanced helicopters like the MH-47G...
In the 1980s, United States Navy airmen make history. In two rare engagements, American crews face off against eastern bloc fighters off the shores of Libya. Flying the F-14, these engagements helped define aerial combat as it entered the modern era, and – coinciding with the popularity of Top Gun – help to turn the Tomcat into the unrivalled icon of 1980s air power.
The AC-130 gunship, a heavily armed variant of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, originated during the Vietnam War as Project Gunship II to replace the AC-47 Spooky. Evolving through variants like the AC-130A Spectre, AC-130U Spooky, and modern AC-130J Ghostrider, it...
The Grumman F-11 Tiger, a supersonic carrier-based fighter of the 1950s, evolved from a privately funded upgrade to the F9F Cougar, incorporating the innovative area rule "coke-bottle" fuselage for reduced drag. Introduced in 1956 with the Wright J65 engine, it served...
The rocket-powered C-130 Hercules emerged from the top-secret 1980 Operation Credible Sport, a rapid-response project to enable extreme short takeoff and landing (STOL) for a potential Iranian hostage rescue. Modified with 30 rockets—including Shrike, ASROC, and MK-56...