Автор: Thomas Withington, Mark Styling
Издательство: Osprey Publishing
Год издания: 2006
isbn: 1841769924
Количество страниц: 100
Язык: english
Формат: PDF (scan)
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.
Автор: Tony Holmes
Издательство: Osprey Publishing
Год издания: 1989
isbn: 085045929X
Количество страниц: 130
Язык: english
Формат: PDF (scan)
The Osprey Superbase series takes the enthusiast behind the scenes on the world's major air bases. This series features spectacular, exclusive colour photography from aviation's top photographers. Each title begins with a 3-4 page narrative introduction to the history and missions performed by the base, followed by a series of photo essays on various aspects of the overall topic. All the photographs are in colour.
Автор: Tony Holmes, Chris Davey
Издательство: Osprey Publishing
Год издания: 2005
isbn: 1841768855
Количество страниц: 101
Язык: english
Формат: PDF (scan)
The second installment examining the US Navy Hornet Units' participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003-present). These units were the first Navy Reserve unit to be mobilized since the Korean War, and their attacks were launched from carriers off the coast of Turkey. The conflict for these squadrons was very different from the campaign fought in southern Iraq: they worked almost exclusively with clandestine Special Forces teams from the US Army, Marine Corps, Navy SEALs, British and Australian SAS and Kurdish guerrillas. First-hand accounts accompany the indispensable role these units had in the battle to liberate Iraq.
Автор: Jonathan Bernstein, Jim Laurier
Издательство: Osprey Publishing
Год издания: 2005
isbn: 1841768480
Количество страниц: 100
Язык: english
Формат: PDF (scan)
After the attacks on 11 September 2001, Apache units made significant contributions to the Coalition campaign against Taliban and al-Qaeda forces in Afghanistan. Functioning as the 'killer' part of US Army Hunter-killer teams, Apaches sought out and brought overwhelming firepower to bear on Taliban and al-Qaeda forces, as well as providing direct support to Coalition troops on the ground. Apaches spearheaded the advance of the 3rd Infantry and the 101st airborne divisions into Iraq, engaging in some of the heaviest fighting along the western axis of advance. Weather and enemy fire took a heavy toll on Apaches operating in Western Iraq, but the resilience and flexibility of the Apache was central to the success of this campaign.
Автор: David Davies, Mike Vines
Издательство: Osprey Publishing
Год издания: 1991
isbn: 1855321378
Количество страниц: 130
Язык: english
Формат: PDF (scan)
The Osprey Superbase series takes the enthusiast behind the scenes on the world's major air bases. This series features spectacular, exclusive colour photography from aviation's top photographers. Each title begins with a 3-4 page narrative introduction to the history and missions performed by the base, followed by a series of photo essays on various aspects of the overall topic. All the photographs are in colour.
Автор: Thomas Withington, Chris Davey
Издательство: Osprey Publishing
Год издания: 2006
isbn: 1841769932
Количество страниц: 101
Язык: english
Формат: PDF (scan)
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.
Автор: Peter W. Merlin
Издательство: NASA Publication
Год издания: 2002
Количество страниц: 162
Язык: english
Формат: PDF
NASA SP-2001-4525. Monographs in Aerospace History Number 25. Among the aircraft designs that transitioned from paper to hardware during the high-speed era, the Lockheed Blackbirds hold a unique place. The A-12, YF-12A, M-21, D-21, and SR-71 variants outperformed all other jet airplanes in terms of altitude and speed. To this day, they remain the only production aircraft capable of sustained cruise in excess of Mach 3. Developed in utmost secrecy, they eventually became some of the world's most famous aircraft. Conceived originally as spyplanes, several Blackbirds saw service with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as research platforms. This monograph describes the first major NASA project involving the Blackbirds. Conducted with the U.S. Air Force (USAF) as a partner, the NASA/USAF YF-12 research lasted 10 years, and produced a wealth of data on materials, structures, loads, heating, aerodynamics, and performance for high-speed aircraft. More than two decades after the program ended, no comprehensive history of the joint program has yet been written. This monograph is an attempt to rectify that deficiency. Until recently, security restrictions prevented the release of some information relative to the YF-12. Since then, numerous documents have been declassified, and program participants are free to speak about previously restricted aspects of the project. Unfortunately, some who contributed to the NASA/USAF YF-12 investigations have not outlived the blanket of security that covered their work. Those who have must reach back more than 20 years to retrieve anecdotes and historical details. In a sense, the oral history interviews in this monograph amount to a sort of salvage archeology into the fading memories of the remaining YF-12 participants. Over the years, numerous books and articles have been written about the Blackbirds, but few give more than a brief description of the YF-12 and its role as a research aircraft. In this monograph, I briefly describe the origins of the Blackbird family of aircraft and how NASA became involved with them. Each of the following chapters then describes a facet of the NASA/USAF YF-12 research program in detail. This monograph would not have been possible without access to numerous technical reports (some recently declassified), briefings, and other source material from the NASA Dryden Historical Reference Collection, as well as the oral interviews that fleshed out the story and provided an insider's view of the project.
Автор: David Davies, Mike Vines
Издательство: Osprey Publishing
Год издания: 1989
isbn: 0850458943
Количество страниц: 130
Язык: english
Формат: PDF (scan)
The Osprey Superbase series takes the enthusiast behind the scenes on the world's major air bases. This series features spectacular, exclusive colour photography from aviation's top photographers. Each title begins with a 3-4 page narrative introduction to the history and missions performed by the base, followed by a series of photo essays on various aspects of the overall topic. All the photographs are in colour.
Автор: Robert R. Powell, Jim Laurier
Издательство: Osprey Publishing
Год издания: 2004
isbn: 1841767492
Количество страниц: 100
Язык: english
Формат: PDF (scan)
Developed from the A-5 nuclear bomber and used in a reconnaissance role, the RA-5C Vigilante was the largest and fastest aeroplane ever to operate from the deck of an aircraft carrier. During the Vietnam War it sustained the highest loss ratio of any American aircraft in that conflict. This volume includes compelling accounts of combat missions over key communist targets, where crews dodged Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs) and anti-aircraft fire to secure all-important mission photographs. Written by a Vigilante combat veteran this book is crammed full of action-packed first-hand accounts.
Автор: George Hall
Издательство: Osprey Publishing
Год издания: 1988
isbn: 0850458455
Количество страниц: 130
Язык: english
Формат: PDF (scan)
The Osprey Superbase series takes the enthusiast behind the scenes on the world's major air bases. This series features spectacular, exclusive colour photography from aviation's top photographers. Each title begins with a 3-4 page narrative introduction to the history and missions performed by the base, followed by a series of photo essays on various aspects of the overall topic. All the photographs are in colour.