Here's the first footage of an F-35B Lightning II performing at vertical takeoff at the Naval Air Station in Patuxent River. This function allows the jet to hop short distances and also enables the crew to carry heavier loads than otherwise possible. Continue reading for the video and more information.
After two unsuccessful test flights, the X-51 completed a flight of 300 seconds and reached speeds of over Mach 5 on May 1, 2013 for the longest duration hypersonic flight. The X-51 is named "WaveRider" because it uses its shockwaves to add lift. Continue reading for videos and more information.
Dragon Skin is basically a type of ballistic vest made by Pinnacle Armor. It's known for its two-inch-wide circular discs that overlap like scales. This design creates a flexible vest that allows a good range of motion and can allegedly absorb a high number of hits compared with other military body armor. Continue reading for a video and more information.
Military uses of lasers include applications such as target designation and ranging, defensive countermeasures, communications and directed energy weapons. Directed energy weapons are being developed, such as Boeing's Airborne Laser which was constructed inside a Boeing 747. Designated the YAL-1, it is intended to kill short- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles in their boost phase. Continue reading to see more.
Yesterday, the U.S. Navy launched an unmanned, autonomous stealth drone from a warship for the first time. Called the X-47B, it's the first designed to operate an aircraft carrier, which allows it to be used around the world without needing permission to take off from airfields in other countries. Continue reading for a video and more information.
Here's an interesting look at Lockheed Martin's ADAM, a high energy laser system that can be mounted on a trailer for easy transportation and to help defend high-value targets. What you're look at above is a prototype that uses a 10-kilowatt fiber laser to focus on to a moving target up to 2km away. The directed energy can disable / destroy the target before it gets anywhere near its planned destination. Continue reading for two video and more information.
Some people like to call them spy gadgets, but stealthy just sounds that much cooler, and less suspicious. These range from actual insects turned into robots, real face-scanning sunglasses that will be used for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, as well as a rugged pen that doubles as a weapon. Continue reading to see them all.
For those who don't already know, the Boeing X-51A WaveRider is essentially an unmanned scramjet aircraft for hypersonic flight testing. On May 1, 2013, the X-51 performed its first fully successful flight test on its fourth test flight. The X-51 and booster detached from a B-52 and was powered to Mach 4.8 by a booster rocket. It then separated cleanly from the booster and ignited its own engine, accelerating to Mach 5.1. Continue reading for the video and more information.
The Lockheed A-12 was basically reconnaissance aircraft built for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) by Lockheed's famed Skunk Works, based on the designs of Clarence "Kelly" Johnson. It was produced from 1962 to 1964, and was in operation from 1963-1968. Continue reading for more.
It's that time again, time for another batch of perfectly timed photos. In this installment, we've rounded up eighteen stunning Air Force photos - they actually have their own Flickr page.
