Guns and Gun Pods

Comprehensive overview of American air ammunition, "smart" and "stupid" bombs, submunitions, technical parameters, description, use.

Dogfights have always attracted attention. Since the First World War, their participants have been considered heroes, stories have been written about nothing, and they have become idols of generations. However, the reality of air combat is much more prosaic. Whatever the motivation of the pilots to fight, there was always a winner on one side and a loser on the other in a crippled or burning plane falling to the ground. This series deals with the struggle from their beginning to the modern age, when the sky is steadily ruled by jet engines.

When the car runs out of fuel just in front of the gas station, you can push it towards it. But what to do if the same thing happens to an aircraft in flight? Plus a jet fighter, the most modern creation of its time ... the same. Push.

Most Western publications state that the first night duel and the downing of jet fighters took place during the fighting in Korea, specifically on November 3, 1952. The other side, on the other hand, clearly denies the downing. A comparison of the available data reveals a number of ambiguities, which make this event a relatively controversial issue.

At first glance, it might seem that the Hs 129 was an ideal choice for ground attacks. It had two engines, a heavily armored cockpit and the most powerful forward-firing cannon, which was mounted on mass-produced aircraft during World War II. The reinforced cockpit reliably protected the pilot from small arms fire. The German Luftwaffe planned to include him as its ultimate assassin, which will be very effectively deployed against Soviet T-34 type tanks.

Tests of the new universal aircraft are currently underway, which should be unique in all respects. This is the largest contract in the history of the Air Force, in which many countries participate. It is assumed that after a long time, it will be an aircraft that will experience thousands of series. It has already received its combat name: F-35 Lightning II.