Summary North American F-82B set the propeller-driven fighter's record for 5,051-mile flight. Boeing B-1B Lancer is a unique multi-role heavy bomber with advanced Radar and Navigation. Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk flew secret missions and was successful with no losses during Operation Desert Storm.
While not as destructive as World War II, hundreds of thousands of aircraft were utilized during the Cold War. Some of the best aircraft emerged during the Cold War, from light fighters and surveillance aircraft to heavy bombers and long-range stealth aircraft. This article notes some popular aircraft that brought aces to their operators.
1 North American F-82B Twin Mustang Holds the record for the longest non-stop flight by a propeller-driven fighter Date: February 27-28, 1947 Route: Hawaii to New York Distance: 5,051 miles Cruise speed: 280 mph The North American F-82 Mustang is a twin-engine fighter aircraft that served the United States Air Force (USAF) during the Cold War. The twin design was the last propeller-driven fighter aircraft that the USAF inducted in large numbers. The USAF initially aimed to use the type during World War II, but delays in production allowed the type to enter service in 1946.
The type was generally used as a long-range bomber escort. The F-82 Mustang was powered by two Packard V-1650 engines, generating 1,350 horsepower at takeoff. A total of 273 F-82s were produced.
A rather unique long-range escort fighter. 2 Boeing B-1B Lancer A long-range heavy bomber Crew: Four (aircraft commander, copilot, offensive systems officer, defensive systems officer) Engines: 4x General Electric F-101-GE-102 turbofan engines Wingspan: 137 ft. extended forward, 79 ft.
swept aft Length: 146 ft. Height: 34 ft. The Boeing B-1B Lancer is a long-range, multi-role, heavy bomber that entered service with the US Air Force in October 1985.
The blended wing-body design made it unique in its operations, particularly at supersonic speeds and high altitudes. The aircraft could be used in forward wing setting for takeoff, landing, and high-altitude cruise, and aft wing setting for high subsonic and supersonic flights. The aircraft was equipped with forward-looking and terrain-following radar.
The accurate Inertial Navigation System allowed aircrews to navigate accurately without using ground radars. The strategic roles and responsibilities of the B-1 have evolved through the years. Powered by four General Electric F-101-GE-102 turbofan engines, each producing 30,000 lbf thrust, the B-1B Lancer was first used in combat during Operation Desert Fox in 1998.
It later saw action in Kosovo and Afghanistan. 3 Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk Recipient of Collier Trophy Year: 1989 One of the world’s most prized aeronautical award The F-117 could carry up to 5,000 lbs of armaments The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk is a twin-engine stealth attacker developed by Lockheed’s Skunk Works division in the 1970s. While the first production aircraft was delivered to the USAF in 1982, it wasn’t until 1990 that the aircraft was revealed to the public.
Many secretive missions had been performed before its first public appearance. According to the National Museum of the US Air Force , “The F-117A again went into action during Operation Desert Shield/Storm in 1990-1991 when the 415th and the 416th squadrons of the 37th TFW moved to a base in Saudi Arabia. During Operation Desert Storm, the F-117As flew 1,271 sorties, achieving an 80 percent mission success rate, and suffered no losses or battle damage.
” Lockheed produced only 59 examples of the F-117A between 1981 and 1990. Since entering service with the USAF in 1983, only one F-117 has ever been shot down. 4 Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-23 NATO code name: Flogger Crew: One Armament: One twin-barreled 23mm GSh-23L cannon; six air-to-air missiles (mixture of infrared-homing close-range, AA-2 "Atoll" or AA-8 "Aphid" and medium-range AA-7 "Apex" missiles) Engine: 1x Tumansky R-29-300 turbojet of approx.
27,500 lbs thrust Maximum speed: Mach 2.4 Wing sweep settings: 16, 45, and 72 degrees; adjustable in flight The Soviet-built MiG-23 was designed to replace the MiG-21 with advanced radar and fire control systems. The aircraft entered military service in 1973 and became one of the most used types during the Cold War.
The type was capable of firing long-range missiles well beyond the visual range of the pilots. The wing sweep could be controlled for low-speed takeoffs and landings or for supersonic flights. The robust landing gear allows short-field and remote runway operations.
The Soviet Union built more than 5,000 examples of MiG-23s. The US Air Force also used the MiG-23 for several missions. The National Museum of the US Air Force states, “The US Air Force's 4477th Test Squadron, the Red Eagles, flew this aircraft during Project Constant Peg.
This highly classified program provided USAF, Navy, and Marine Corps fighter pilots with realistic combat training against then state-of-the-art Soviet technology.” Both pilots ejected safely and there were no fatalities or injuries. 5 Northrop B-2 Spirit Long-range stealth bomber Crew: Two (a pilot and a mission commander) Typical combat mission: Nonstop flight from Whiteman Air Force Base to the target and back Typical mission duration: 30-45 hours Aerial refueling: 4-8 Precise weapons capacity: Up to 40,000 lbs The Northrop B-2 Spirit is a revolutionary stealth bomber introduced to the public in November 1988.
Following the type’s first flight in July 1989, the manufacturer delivered the first operational B-2 in December 1993. The type soon became an ace stealth bomber, particularly during Operation Allied Force over Serbia in 1999, Operation Enduring Freedom over Afghanistan in 2001, and Operation Iraqi Freedom over Iraq in 2003. The flying-wing design with composite materials is powered by four General Electric F118-GE-100 turbofan engines, each generating approximately 17,300 lbs of thrust.
The aircraft’s special coatings and stealth technology make it virtually invisible to the most sophisticated air defense systems. It is one of the world’s most survivable aircraft..
