Guide to Types of Military Airplanes and Aircrafts

A1 Skyraider

The Douglas A-1E Skyraider entered service in World War II as a replacement for the SBD dive-bomber. The Skyraider’s original designation was the “AD” and it made its inaugural flight on March 18, 1945. The A-1E Skyraider had a middle compartment which allowed it to be used for carrying passengers, supplies, or heavy cargo. Modifications of the airplane continued years after the aircraft was first placed in service. During the next twenty odd years, the Navy took delivery of 3,180 Skyraiders - a number of those aircraft were placed in service during the Korean War.

A10 Thunderbolt (Warthog)

The primary role of the A-10 Thunderbolt II was to provide close air support for ground forces. The single-seat twin engine A-10 was designed to destroy armored vehicles, tanks, and other fortified targets. It also provided forward air control in advance of other aircraft.

A6 Intruder

In 1960, the A-6 Intruder attack aircraft made its first flight and by 1963, the EA-6 Intruder went into flight carrier service as a naval attack aircraft. It was the world’s first all-weather attack bomber. The A-6 Intruder had the ability to deliver nuclear and conventional ordnance on target in zero-visibility due to bad weather or darkness. This was due in large part to the cockpit integrated electronic display that made the aircraft ideal for locating and destroying the enemy under almost any circumstances. In 1967, during the Vietnam War, both the Marine Corps and Navy used the A-6 Intruder as an attack bomber. The Intruder played a major role in the bombing of Libya by U.S. forces in 1986.

AH-64 Apache

In 1976, the United States Army approved Hughes Aircrafts’ bid to produce the Model 77/YAH-64 advanced attack helicopter. The first model wasn’t ready to fly until 1983 and by then the manufacturer had changed its name to Hughes Helicopter. In 1981, the helicopter became the Apache. A few years later, in 1984, McDonnell Douglas purchased Hughes Helicopters. In August of 1997, McDonnell Douglas merged with Boeing. Despite the changes behind the scenes, manufacture of the Apache continued.

Air Force One

Air Force One is actually the designation for any plane that is transporting the President of the United States. Two heavily modified Boeing 747-200B VC-25 aircraft are reserved for this purpose, though other fixed wing and rotary aircraft have been designated Air Force One as needed. The VC-25 airplanes are flown by pilots in the Presidential Airlift Group assigned to the Air Mobility Command's 89th Airlift Wing.

AT63 Pampa

The newest version of the AT-63 Pampa was designed by Lockheed Martin for the Argentina Air Force for use as a training aircraft. Production of the Pampa is being completed in Argentina by Lockheed Martin Aircraft Argentina S.A. The first demonstrator aircraft was completed on December 15, 2004 and flight tests began on June 30, 2005. The original Pampa was the IA-63, manufactured by Lockheed in the late 1980’s.

AV8B Harrier

The AV-8B Harrier II Plus is a short takeoff vertical landing (STOL) fighter aircraft. The Harrier can hover like a helicopter, but also fly at high speeds as a fixed-wing airplane, combining the best characteristics of both types of aircraft. The Harrier’s vertical lift is provided by four rotating nozzles. The nozzles are repositioned to provide traditional horizontal thrust when the Harrier needs to be flown as an airplane.

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