Detecting and destroying enemy Surface-to-Air Missiles and radar is arguably the most dangerous mission that any pilot can undertake. The book explains the risks, successes and failures that were, and still are, part of the SEAD pilot's life while casting an eye to the future to explain how technology may change the SEAD mission in the future.
The B-2A 'Spirit' was an aircraft conceived to fight the Cold War (1946-1991) but which has proved invaluable to both the 'New World Order' and more recently the 'War on Terrorism'. The combination of low-observability, precision strike, range and payload flexibility has made the 'Spirit' the weapon of choice when America hits its enemies at the start of a campaign. Spirits have fired the first shots of Operation 'Allied Force' over Kosovo and Serbia, as well as operations 'Enduring Freedom' (2001-present) and 'Iraqi Freedom' (2003-present). Despite the tremendous cost of the aircraft – each unit is literally worth its weight in gold – the B-2 has had an impact on modern warfare which has vastly exceeded this small force of 21 bombers. Developed in utmost secrecy, the B-2's gestation saw the use of new computer design and manufacturing techniques and ultra-modern synthetic materials making it the most revolutionary aircraft in terms of design and performance. This book examines these incredible aircraft.
The development of the B-1B Lancer bomber was difficult to say the least. Originally conceived to fulfill a USAF requirement for an Advanced Manned Strategic Aircraft, the original B-1A concept aircraft was accused of being a white elephant, capable of performing nothing which could not be achieved at less financial and human expense than an intercontinental ballistic missile. Cancelled by the Carter administration and finally commissioned by President Reagan as the modified B-1B, the Lancer began its duties as a nuclear-armed bomber in the mid-1980s. The end of the Cold War (1946-1991) intervened and the jet was removed from its nuclear missions as a result of arms control legislation. However, the 1990s saw the metamorphosis of the Lancer into a potent conventional weapons carrier which has seen action in Iraq, the Balkans and Afghanistan. The Lancer has proved its critics wrong in demonstrating its use as a highly flexible and hard-working bomber, able to undertake diverse missions ranging from CAS to the targeting of weapons-of-mass-destruction installations.
Illustriert mit mehr als 350 spektakulären Fotos und brillanten Bildern, zeigt die prachtvoll gestaltete und auf umfassenden Forschungen basierende Geschichte der Fliegerei, wie der Traum vom Fliegen Wirklichkeit wurde und der Mensch den Himmel eroberte. Von ersten Studien über die Anatomie des Vogelkörpers bis zum computergesteuerten Flugzeug von morgen beschreibt dieses Buch, wie Luft- und Raumfahrt unsere Welt geformt haben. Vorgestellt werden die vielen Pioniere, die die Grenzen des bemannten Fluges durch immer längere Flugdauer und höhere Geschwindigkeiten stetig erweiterten.