Evolution Of Fighter Aircraft

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The Evolution of Fighter Aircraft Abstract Since the beginning of aviation itself, man has strived to dominate the airspace above. With this desire to dominate the skies, and the inevitable outbreak of war, came the beginnings of the first fighter aircraft. The early development of these types of aircraft was for reconnaissance and ground attack purposes in World War I. The types of fighters made in that era were extremely small, light, and biplane based. The armor used pales in comparison to today’s standards as well. The frames were mainly biplane based, and as mentioned before, controlling the airspace became more and more of a focus factor because of how important aerial warfare was becoming. By World War II, the fighters evolved into mostly all-metal mono planes that had cannons or machine guns mounted on them. By the end of World War II, there were already turbojets replacing the dated piston engines. Not only engines, but the armaments carried by these planes were already being redefined. In today’s day in age, modern jet fighters are powered by not only one, but two turbofan engines, and have a radar package used in target acquisition as opposed to just a pilot’s visual. Armament consists of air to air missiles as the primary, and a mounted cannon as the backup. Some fighters even carry air to surface missiles and guided and unguided bombs. Since the era of World War I, all the way to modern days fighter aircraft have evolved from physical standards and their specific roles. What one cannot deny or ignore is that their role or importance in dominating the airspace has diminished. Fighter aircraft will always have a role in securing borders, strengthening military might, and more specifically controlling the skies above. The Evolution of Fighter Aircraft In order to truly recap and appreciate the history and evolution of the
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