Modern Military Aviation- An overview

F-16, F-15, F-22 in an air show

The acquisition of  modern technology has become a requirement for the fast changing military world. Information is the backbone of  success, so it is imperative to have the means that can provide sufficient information about the enemy plans and then help in countering them. Considering aviation, technology has altogether different meanings. For an airforce, it has to be a combination of specialized equipement to fulfill different requirements. A multrole aircraft is good to have in fleet but it is not suggestable to rely solely on it. An airforce must have specialised air power for serveillance, bombing, intercepting and stealth operations. Though it is being tried to combine stealth with all the fighter aircrafts, it is not necessary that these can perform well in all conditions.

Terrafugia transition-The flying car

Flying car

You might have thought of a flying machine that could take you out of a traffic jam on a real hot summer afternoon; when there are all cars for next 1 mile. You thought of the right thing! Yes, today we have a solution that seems somewhat close to it. Think of driving a plane, a plane that can be transformed into a car when required and from a car to an airplane as well.

Terrafugia is, a Massachusetts based, company of aviation passionates. They have come up a good idea of roadable aircraft. This is a not-so-good looking car but has the capability to fly!!! The wings are electromechanically foldable. With 5 gallons per hour consumption during flying, it can go uptill 100 knots (115 mph) and has the range of about 460 miles. A 100 hp engine seems to work pretty well for this aircar.

An interesting feature in this vehicle is the full vehicle parachute, that can bring the vehicle down on ground safely. This is something you would ask for when you pay $194,000 for it. But, one should consider at, least once, going for a used Ferrari when thinking of getting hands on this machine.

Body specs:

Folded: 6’ 9” tall, 80” wide, 18’ 9” long;

Airplane: 6’ 3” tall, 19’ 2” long; Wingspan: 27’ 6”

Airborne