Fighter Jets
By: Quincy Barnes
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Introduction
Ever since I was a little girl my grandpa would always tell my brother and I how special the air force was to him. My grandpa was in the US Air force for a majority of his life and he joined right after college. He would explain how he used to go over 100 mph in the air and how much adrenaline he would have while flying the fighter jets. This topic is a part of my cultural identity because my grandpa wouldn't be who he is today without his Air Force experience. My family is very oriented around the Air Force and we value what he did for our country. He also values what he learned in the air force and to this day still talks about it. Every year we celebrate his accomplishments because it means a lot to my family and I.
Photo credits: My mom
Photo credits: Britannica
Photo credits: Naval Air Force Atlantic
History of Fighter Jets
History of Fighter Jets
Since fighter jets have been around for so long the history of them dates back all the way to the 1940s. To start off, During the Korean War supplies and weapons were hard to keep track of since the jets were being flown at such high speed, this was why a new Jet with better tracking was invented. The pilots realized in order to accomplish their goals they need better jets. These jets got their name ‘Fighter Jets” because the word Fighter means a two seated aircraft and the more updated jets were the first invention of two seater aircrafts.
The first ever flight was flown on October 1 1941, it was a US Jet named the Bell P-59 Airacoment. Later on, more and more generations of Jets were created. Jets were invented with more space in them to supply and carry necessary weapons to different states or countries.
There are five generations of jets, the first generation (1940s), all the way to the fifth generation (today's date). In each generation the jets kept getting more and more updated. Specifically, in the 4th generation, this is where people first saw detailed communication systems, this is because technology in the real world kept improving.
Photo credits: Key Aero
The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a fighter jet that is the most recognizable in the U.S. Air Force and is a fan favorite for Americans. With its two engines, the F-14 Tomcat could reach speeds and have two pilots in it when it was in its prime. Some remain in use as training jets even though they were retired in 2006.
Photo credits: Lockheed Martin
Another type of Jet was the Fighter F-16 Falcon . Initially designed as a single-pilot, single-engine fighter, the F-16, also referred to as the "Viper," soon gained a notice for its adaptability. This jet can fly at high speeds and go in the air for more than 500 miles. This jet is used in all weather conditions because it has an aerodynamic system.
Photo credits: CNN
Another famous one is Lockheed Martin. This jet has been flying for fifty years, and it still looks great. The prototype's first flight took place in 1974, and the first aircraft was delivered and put into service in 1980. Martin succeeded in a number of fields. It was the first American fighter to employ fly-by-wire flight controls, which cut off the pilot's physical connection, and rather had an all electronic set up.
Photo credits: Canva via Quincy
Parts of the Fighter Jets
The fuselage includes the cockpit and/or cabin, which is where the passenger seats and the aircraft's control systems. Additionally, the fuselage may provide cargo room and locations for the other main airplane components to be attached.
The empennage, or tail, refers to the rear of the airplane. Among many other components, the steering could be in here as well as other storage for weapons.
The wings, which are air flaps attached to each side of the plane, are the lifting surfaces that keep the aircraft in the air. A range of wing shapes, sizes, and designs are used by different types of jets. Every aircraft serves a specific role in terms of the performance. The mounting of the wings can be done on the top, center, or bottom of the jet.
Ailerons, or moving surfaces, are often seen near the tips of wings. By moving upwards or downwards, the aileron provides the function of altering the angle of attack. Since the ailerons are connected, if one moves, the other will follow behind and move in the opposite direction.
Photo credits: My mom
Photo credits: AirForce
Photo credits: My mom
Photo credits: Air Force Times
Conclusion
In conclusion Fighter Jets have played a key role in the US Air Force. A lot of the time, people don't realize how much goes into the machiques, and the safety of it. To go up into the sky, you need to make sure every part of your jet is on point so nothing fails. Fighter Jets have caught many people's attention as they are so interesting to hear and see when they are flown around your area. People have multiple favorite jets such as the Lockhead Martin, and the F-16. This topic is special to me because I have my grandpa who was one of the people flying these jets and I know how much it means to him. Our family wouldn't be who we are today without the Air Force Fighter Jets.
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