Fighter and Attack Jets

These are my favorite jets.

McDonnel Douglas F-4 Phantom II

The F-4 Pantom is one of the world's finest all around military combat aircraft. Here are some important facts about this jet:

• First flew in 1958. Over 5000 F-4's were built, only the MIG-21 has exceeded this total production count.
• Double seat (a pilot and a gunner).
• Wing span: 11.7 meters (38 feet 5 inches).
• Length: 17.76 meters (58 feet 3 inches).
• Speed: mach 2.17, 2,415 km/h (1,500 mph).
• Range: Ferry range 1610 miles.
• Ceiling: 58,750 feet.
• Climb rate: 49,800 Feet/minute.
• Weapons: One 20 mm rotary cannon with 640 rounds, 4 Sparrow air to air missles, plus other missles and stores up to 12,980 pounds.

McDonnel Douglas FA-18 Hornet

The FA-18 Hornet is both a fighter and an attact aircraft. This aircraft is used by the navy and by the Marine Corp. This high performance aircraft is fly by wire allowing the pilot to operate every switch required for combat without moving his hands from the throttle or control stick. Here are some important facts about this jet:

• First flew in 1978 and became fully operational with the U.S. navy in 1982.
• Single Seat.
• Engines: Twin 16,000 pound GE augmented turbofan engines.
• Wing span: 11.43 meters (37 feet 6 inches).
• Length: 17.07 meters (56 feet).
• Speed: mach 1.8 or 1915 km/h (1,190 mph).
• Range: ferry range is 2,300 miles.
• Weapons: 9 external weapon pods carry op to 13,700 pounds. A six barrel 20 mm cannon is built into the nose cone.

Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II

This airplane was specifically designed to be a ground support, anti-tank attact jet. The single pilot is sourounded by a heavy titanium shield impervious to all but the heaviest caliber shells. The engines are in the back so they do not interfere with the pilots view. Another interesting inovation is relatively cool exhaust blocked by the wings to make it harder for heat seeking missles to strike the aircraft. All critical sections of aircraft are shielded and designed so if they are hit, the plane can fly back to base.

• first flew in 1973, production began in 1975.
• length: 54 ft 4 inches.
• Wing Span: 57 feet 6 inches.
• Speed: 518 Miles per hour.
• payload: 16,000 pounds.
• Weapons: uses the GE 30 mm, Avenger gun which is the most potent airborne weapon of its type with 1,350 armour piercing shells. Also can carry external bombs and stores.