Supersonic Exam Reviwer

• The first fighter aircraft was invented in 1915 by Roland Garros
• The first jet airplane is the Me 262
• The earliest jet fighters appeared during and after the last years of World War II, known as the First Generation
• Second Generation jet fighters had thinner lifting and control surfaces than first-generation jets, with most having swept-back wings
• Third Generation aircraft were expected to carry a wide range of weapons and other ordnance, such as air-to-ground missiles and laser-guided bombs, while also being able to engage in air-to-air interception beyond visual range
• Fourth Generation jet fighters introduced advanced avionics, stealth technology, and the ability to carry a wide range of weapons
• Fifth Generation aircraft brought advanced systems concepts such as smart helmets, sensor/data fusion, and subsidiary attack drones
• Gen 1 jet fighters have a minimum speed of 460mph and a maximum speed of around 500-700mph
• Gen 2 jet fighters have speeds ranging from 1.80 mach up to 2.0 mach
• Gen 3 jet fighters can speed up from 1.90 mach up to 2.23 at best
• Gen 4 jet fighters have an airspeed ceiling of Mach 1.2 up to 1.6
• Gen 5 jet fighters can fly up to speeds of Mach 1.80 up to Mach 2.60
• Air Superiority Aircraft are primarily focused on establishing and maintaining control over a specific airspace by defeating enemy aircraft
• Multirole Fighter Aircraft are versatile aircraft capable of performing a variety of roles, including air-to-air combat, air-to-ground attack, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare
• Ground Attack Aircraft are specialized military aircraft designed to engage and destroy enemy targets on the ground
• Bomber Aircraft are designed to accompany and protect bombers during their missions, or to perform both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions
• All Weather Fighter Aircraft are designed to operate effectively in various weather conditions, including adverse weather such as rain, snow, fog, and low visibility
• Reconnaissance Fighter Aircraft are equipped with advanced sensors, cameras, and intelligence-gathering equipment, allowing them to perform reconnaissance as part of their overall mission capabilities
• The 4 recognized classes of fighter aircraft are:

  • Role-Based Classification
  • Generation-Based Classification
  • Stealth Classifications
  • Weight Classifications
• An Interceptor is a short-range fighter designed to defend against incoming enemy aircraft
• First Generation jet fighters developed during the late 1940s and early 1950s, characterized by subsonic speeds and limited technological advancements
• Third Generation jet fighters developed in the 1960s and 1970s, with advancements like variable-sweep wings and improved avionics
• Second Generation jet fighters were introduced in the 1950s and 1960s, featuring improved speed, range, and weapons systems
• Fourth Generation jet fighters are characterized by advanced avionics, radar systems, and the capability to carry a wide range of precision-guided munitions
• Fifth Generation jet fighters are the most advanced as of 2022, with features like stealth technology, advanced sensors, and integrated avionics
• Stealth Fighters are military aircraft designed with stealth technology to reduce their radar cross-section and infrared signature
• The SR-71 Blackbird is one of history's greatest aircraft, used by the United States for espionage during the Cold War
• The types of weight classifications for fighter aircraft are Lighter Fighter and Medium/Heavy Fighter
• Lighter Fighter Aircraft are designed to be cost-effective, easy to maintain, and well-suited for a variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground missions
• The U.S. Army called fighter aircraft "pursuit" aircraft until the late 1940s
• Frank Whittle invented the gas-turbine engine that would power the first British jet
• The Gloster E.28/39 made its first flight on May 15, 1941
• Hans Joachim Pabst von Ohain worked on the problem of gas-turbine engines without any knowledge of Whittle's efforts
• Ernst Heinkel sought to have an engine-manufacturing capability to complement his aircraft company
• The world's first "turbo-jet" powered aircraft is the He 178
• The first "jet" powered fighter aircraft is the Me 262
• Anslem Franz was assigned by Junkers Motorenwerke GmbH to develop a jet engine
• Notable American experimenters in jet aviation technology include Nathan Prince, Vladimir Pavlecka, and Art Phelan
• The key technological advancements in aviation include Jet Propulsion, Aerodynamics, Avionics, and Materials and Construction
• Wilbur and Orville Wright were known for designing bicycles