Modern Military Aircraft

Since their introduction, aircraft have become a key aspect of any conflict between nations. Aircraft are used to provide reconnaissance, transportation, airborne radar, electronic jamming, air-to-air combat and of course ground attack. Ground attack is performed by a range of aircraft types encompassing strategic (bombers), tactical bombers (fighter-bombers) and helicopters. Ground attack weapons launched from these aircraft include guided and unguided bombs, rockets, guided missiles, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and cannon fire. Ground targets include enemy AFV’s, artillery positions, infantry units, structures associated with command and control, radar facilities, ground-based weapons launch facilities, military storage locations as well as other targets deemed of strategic or tactical value, including civil infrastructure.

In this book we explore the dominant modern military combat aircraft used throughout the world, including fighter aircraft, strategic bombers and attack helicopter. The aircraft are grouped by the nation that developed them. We also review the predominantly employed modern weapon systems deployed by these aircraft, including guided bombs, guided missiles and cruise missiles. Modern weapon systems used to counter both aircraft (anti-aircraft systems) and additionally the munitions which they deploy (anti-missile systems) are then presented. And lastly the relatively recently introduced technology of Unmanned Aerial Systems is discussed, reviewing reconnaissance, attack and suicide UAV’s.