MODERN MILITARY AIRCRAFT ARE AMONG THE MOST SOPHISTICATED and expensive
products of the 21st century. Fighters need computer-operated controls for maneuverability, powerful engines, and effective air-to-air weapons. Most modern fighters also have guided missiles, radar, and passive, infrared sensors. These developments enable today’s fighters to engage in combat with adversaries that are outside visual range. Bombers carry a large weapon load and enough fuel for long-range flights. A few military aircraft, such as the Tornado and the F-14 Tomcat, have variable-sweep (“swing”) wings. During takeoff and landing their wings are fully extended, but for high-speed
flight and low-level attacks the wings are pivoted fully back. A recent development is the “stealth” bomber, which is designed to absorb or deflect enemy radar in order to remain undetected. Earlier
bombers, such as the Tornado, use terrain-following radars to fly so close to the ground that they avoid enemy radar detection.
