Aircraft / Air Force History

NACA Conference on Turbojet Engines for Supersonic Propulsion, October 8-9, 1953

Introduction Excerpt from the document: This document contains papers related to the NACA Conference on "The Turbojet Engine for Supersonic…

September 16, 2016

Project Whale Tale – Launching the U-2 from an Aircraft Carrier

Background In the 1960s, U-2s could not reach certain remote targets because political difficulties prevented basing the aircraft in some…

August 14, 2016

Summary of Information Developed on the Navy’s F-111B Aircraft, June 20, 1967

Background The General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark was a supersonic, medium-range interdictor and tactical attack aircraft that also filled the roles…

July 30, 2016

Project Pluto – Nuclear RAMJET Engines

Background Project Pluto was a United States government program to develop nuclear powered ramjet engines for use in cruise missiles.…

July 19, 2016

Operation Looking Glass – Airborne United States Command and Control Center

Background Looking Glass (or Operation Looking Glass) is the code name for an airborne command and control center operated by…

June 22, 2016

Advanced Propulsion Study, February 2004

Advanced Propulsion Study Background This study was tasked with the purpose of conducting a thorough literature and program search to…

April 27, 2016

B-21 Long Range Strike Bomber

Background on the B-21 On February 26, 2016, the United States Air Force announced the "next generation" bomber, the B-21.…

February 26, 2016

Project 1794 (Saucer-Type Aircraft)

Background This sampling of newly released saucer-type aircraft documents contain detailed technical data and drawings related to the work undertaken…

February 25, 2016

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles / Drones

Introduction An unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV), also known as a combat drone or drone, is an unmanned aerial vehicle…

March 25, 2015

A-12 Avenger II – U.S. Navy Stealth

The A-12 Avenger II was an American aircraft program from McDonnell Douglas and General Dynamics intended to be an all-weather,…

February 23, 2015