1. Evolution of Fighter Technology Brody Baggs Rhett Hensley

2. Post World War II The use of piston-engined aircraft came to a close. Jet fighter planes began to emerge. Exploration with the possibility of jet assisted piston engines. Jet technology (engine) was pivotal in the development of fighter planes

3. Mid 1940’s to Mid 1950’s Introduction of subsonic (below Mach 1) and transonic (almost Mach 1) jet fighters. Piston engines were still highly developed. Ejection seats, airbrakes, and all-moving tailplanes ( horizontal stabilizer) become popular. Swept wings made it possible to fly at almost the speed of sound.

4. Mid 1950’s to Early 1960’s There were advances in aerodynamics, aerospace building materials, and propulsion systems. Exploration on developing wing types like Delta wing and swept wings. On-board radar and IR guided air-to-air missiles were developed.

5. Early 1960’s to Early 1970’s Fighters were already equipped with analog avionics and advanced technology. The focus was on improving technology for air- to-air and air-to-ground attacks. Night attack and automatic weapons were introduced during this period.

6. Early 1970’s to Mid 1990’s Multi-role fighter configurations were improved during this period. Avionics and weapons systems were improved and made more sophisticated. Fighters in this period were able to easily establish air superiority.

7. Mid 1990’s to Mid 2000’s Fighters were mostly designed through improvements in flight technology and computers. Multi-role aircraft were further enhanced during this period. Fighters were given GPS guided weapons and advanced radars.

8. Caliber Comparison

9. F4 Phantom II

10. F14 Tomcat

11. F15 Eagle

12. F16 Fighting Falcon

13. F22 Raptor

14. Fighter Weapons F4: Four AIM-7 Sparrow Missiles, 20mm cannon F14: 20mm cannon, four AIM-7 Sparrow Missiles and four or eight AIM-9 Sidewinder Missiles, or sis AIM-54 Phoenix missiles and two AIM-9 Sidewinder Missiles

15. Fighter Weapons F15: 20mm cannon, four AIM-7 Sparrow missiles, or eight AIM-120A plus four AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. F16: 20mm cannon, bomb and missile maximum load of 20,450 pounds. The F15 has 16,000 pounds total.

16. Fighter Weapons AIM-7 Missile – Radar guided air-to-air missile with a high-explosive warhead AIM-120A Missile – AMRAAM (Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missile) AIM-9 Missile – Heat seeking, air to air missile AIM-54 Missile – Long range air to air missile carried in clusters of up to six

17. Fighter Weapons After the invention of guided missiles, air-to-air fixed guns were thought to be obsolete. The first fighter planes sent to Vietnam were equipped only with missiles. The F-15 is equipped with a 20mm six barrel Gatling-style cannon. It can fire 6000 rounds per minute, even though the F-15 is only loaded with 1000 rounds.

18. APA Sources Peters, B. (N.D.). A Closer Look at the Evolution of Fighter Planes. Retrieved September 16, 2014, from http://www.northernstar.com.au/news/a-closer- look-at-the-evolution-of-fighter-planes/2110245/http://www.northernstar.com.au/news/a-closer- look-at-the-evolution-of-fighter-planes/2110245/ Top Gun Fighters & America's Jet Power. (1988). Lincolnwood: Publications International. Quest for Performance: The Evolution of Modern Aircraft. (N.D.). Retrieved September 10, 2014, from http://history.nasa.gov/SP-468/contents.htmhttp://history.nasa.gov/SP-468/contents.htm Sheffield, R. (N.D.). Jet Fighter School. Retrieved September 18, 2014, from http://www.flightsimbooks.com/jfs/page31.php

19. APA Sources AIM Missiles. (2000, April 21). Retrieved September 14, 2014, from fas.org