Fighter/Attack Aircraft

Fighter and Attack aircraft represent some of the most exciting machines in the
sphere of military power because of their design, speed, and weaponry. The sheer
diversity of this category of aircraft, their evolution through military history,
and the modern race to produce the most advanced and lethal fighter and attack
aircraft yield a great deal of information and generates more interest than any
other category of military aircraft.

History

In the early 1900s, as the airplane emerged as a vital reconaissance tool during
WWI, the need to protect the skies over the battlefield was realized. The fighter
aircraft emerged in 1914 as a countermeasure to aerial reconaissance, and evolved
quickly as new technologies were developed to compliment the fighter aircraft's
mission.

It wasn't until WWII that the fighter aircraft began reaching a level of refinement
recognized in today's fighter and attack aircraft - indeed beneficiaries of these
developments. Integrated systems instead of disparate technologies cobbled together
became the norm. Improved aerodynamics, the monoplane design, engine performance,
weapons accuracy and destructive force, and survivability became design factors
that worked in tandem to determine an aircraft's effectiveness.

As WWII progressed, the fighter aircraft's role varied. The roles of defending the
skies from attacking strategic bombers and bomber escort into enemy territory both
yielded numerous epic air-to-air confrontations. The role of ground attack of
strategic targets and enemy infantry became prominent as well. And naval fleet
attack and defense by carrier-borne aircraft proved how a country's military might
could be projected globally.

During the Korean conflict and some of the other regional conflicts that occurred
prior to it, jet propulsion on military aircraft began to take shape. As the
Vietnam conflict progressed into its waning years, America's emphasis on
technological advances, pilot training, and improved armament designed to engage
multiple enemies simultaneously catapulted the world into what is perceived as the
modern age of the fighter aircraft.

Characteristics

In both cases, fighter and attack aircraft are typically one- or two-seated,
relatively small compared to its bomber and transport counterparts, and represent a
higher thrust to weight ratio making them the fastest category of military
aircraft.

The role of fighter aircraft can be generalized as that of air superiority.

Nutralizing other enemy fighter aircraft, or in the interceptor role to target
enemy bombers and being complimented with the increased firepower to destroy these
larger targets.

Attack aircraft are equipped to strike ground or naval targets. This might include
providing close-air support for friendly troops via the destruction of heavily
armored or dug-in enemy forces, elimination of enemy anti-air batteries and radar
nutralization, or strategic percision destruction of high-value enemy targets.

Aircraft are armed and equipped specifically for their roles, and generally have at
least rudimentary methods of defending themselves.
Modern Advancements

Presently, this category of aircraft is dominated by manufactures in America,

Russia, and joint ventures coming out of Europe. However, developments from Israel,
India and China continue to emerge out of the desire for an autonomous military
aircraft production industry.

Additionally, as the emphasis appears to be moving away from air superiority and
more toward flexibility of the platform to both protect the skies and eliminate
targests on the ground, the multi-role fighter aircraft is being given the most
significant attention at this time.