In the military arsenals of modern nations, combat aircraft have always maintained a distinctive status and this significance is owed to their decisive role in an armed conflict. Notwithstanding the extraordinary costs of their acquisition and operation, most militaries maintain fleets of several types of aircraft according to their unique requirements and constraints.
During any armed conflict, military success depends on several factors including the right deployment of different military aircraft according to their strengths and combat requirements. Of course, this measured utilization of military aircraft can only transpire if they are available and operational in the first place.
Let us have a quick overview of various categories of military aircraft including helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and what they are used for!
Table of Contents
1. Air Superiority and Attack Fighter Jets
Imagine you hear the word military aircraft or fighter jet, what image would appear in your head? Chances are, it will be an aggressive-looking fighter jet equipped with missiles like the F-22 ‘Raptor’, a Dassault Rafale, or a Sukhoi SU-27. These air superiority fighter jets formulate the main strike force of any military and play a key role in any air attack or defense missions.
These aircraft are commonly equipped with sophisticated ammunition such as Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles, targeting pods, air-to-ground missiles, electronic jamming pods, etcetera.
A versatile selection of said ammunition and equipment can be tailored according to the mission at hand which makes them the weapons of choice for precision and strategic strikes.
An attack aircraft can strike with precision but what if raw bombing power is needed to destroy a large area, that is where a bomber aircraft comes in.
2. Bombers
Bombers are typically big aircraft having the capacity to carry a large payload, mostly in the forms of bombs, and can deliver them to destroy a large area, such as an entire enemy military base.
Bombers have played an important role in armed conflicts since World War-II and now we are in the era of advanced stealth bombers such as the US B-2 ‘Spirit’ and the Russian TU-160 ‘Blackjack’.
These aircraft can accommodate tonnage bombs in their undercarriage, have high service ceiling and long endurance, making them ideal for bombing missions. The U-2 ‘Spirit’, for example, has a range of 6000NM which is extendable as it can be refueled in the air as well.
This brings us to another important utilization of military aircraft, the airborne filling stations, commonly termed as the refuellers.
3. Refueler Aircraft
The basic job of a refueler aircraft is, you guessed it, to refuel military aircraft in air while they are performing their missions. These aircraft have large fuel storage tanks in their wings as well as the fuselage, and can provide aerial refueling by extending a fueling hose attached to a drogue to other aircraft.
Mid-air refueling of all types of combat aircraft including helicopters gives a strategic edge to militaries; how you may ask?
Refueling any aircraft while it is airborne increases a very important characteristic, its endurance. Military combat mission planners must carefully analyze all limitations of different aircraft available at their disposal including their endurance limits. However, if there is a refueller aircraft available and combat aircraft do not have to frequently land back for refueling, a victory becomes more probable.
Aerial refueling is inherently risky as a highly flammable liquid gets transferred quickly between two airborne aircraft. Therefore, special refueling crew is stationed within the refueler aircraft which makes a safe transfer of fuel possible. Most militaries have a converted version of C-130 aircraft termed as the KC-130 or KC-135 operational as dedicated refueler aircraft.
Refuelers are most utilized by long-range reconnaissance aircraft which stay airborne for several days such as the SR-71 ‘Blackbird’. We have not discussed reconnaissance aircraft yet, so let us have a look.
4. Reconnaissance Aircraft
Information can win wars and what better way to collect information than by observing the enemy from the sky above; this is where spy planes (or reconnaissance aircraft) come in.
These stealthy, long-range aircraft have high service ceilings of up-to 85000ft. The U-2 ‘Dragon Lady’ and SR-71 ‘Blackbird’ are prime examples of reconnaissance aircraft and out of these two, the U-2 ‘Dragon Lady’ is currently in service with the US Air Force for more than 60years.
At around 80000ft, where even the air is scarce, a reconnaissance plane can roam calmly taking imagery of the ground below without being detected by any ground radar. In active combat, reconnaissance aircraft can provide critical imagery of the enemy deployments, numbers, resources, and tactics whereas during peace times. These spy planes continue to provide key intelligence to maintain preparedness and supremacy over other nations.
With the advancement in technology a new type of reconnaissance aircraft is gaining space in the military battlefield, the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) purpose-built for reconnaissance. These remotely piloted aircraft such as the BAE Corax or EADS Barracuda can be employed for high-risk reconnaissance missions. As more jet-engine powered UAVs are being developed these days, it will not be far fetched to expect that these will be the weapons of the future.
Another important source of information are the aircraft which serve as early warning systems and co-ordinate an air attack or defense mission in combat, namely the Airborne Early Warning Aircraft.
5. Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) Aircraft
We have all seen images of aircraft having large round or rectangular shaped radars mounted on them and thought that they look a little different. But despite their looks, these aircraft serve as an airborne radar system monitoring all activity of enemy aircraft within its range.
Normal ground radars have their limitations such as not having a clear line of sight and environmental disturbances; however, these airborne early warning systems can detect and mitigate a threat with greater efficiency.
In modern air battles, these aircraft become the eye in the sky, they can detect and jam enemy communications as well as control the entire mission by communicating with friendly fighter jets.
You can think of these aircraft as a mission control center in the sky.
Different militaries around the world employ several AEW&C aircraft even during peacetime to ensure that their skies are safe from any intrusion. Some examples of AEW&C aircraft are the E-3 ‘Sentry’, the SAAB-2000, and the Embraer E-99 aircraft.
6. Military Transport Planes and Helicopters
The ability to transport military equipment and personnel to or from a battlefield during combat is a challenge often faced by the military transport aircraft. These aircraft, due to their role in operational preparedness, work equally during peacetime as well.
Military planes such as the C-5 or the C-130 are known by their size and ability to deliver weapons including tanks and armored vehicles to troops in need.
For a battlefield where we may not have the luxury of secure runways or an airbase, military transport helicopters play their role. These gigantic helicopters such as the MI-17, MI-26, or the CH-53 ‘Sea Stallion’ transport military forces and equipment alike with the ability to drop them in the midst of a battle.
7. Maritime Patrol Aircraft
Naval forces around the world utilize special aircraft for surveillance and reconnaissance over the sea to detect enemy warships above and below the water surface.
With the help of special sensors to detect underwater movements, these aircraft enable a naval force to avoid any surprises from stealthy submarines which can stay underwater for months at a time.
8. Combat Helicopters
Combat helicopters are an integral part of any army and ground forces rely on these lethal machines during an attack as well as defense.
The ability to hover near their target provides them with an edge over Close Air Support aircraft as they can maneuver and stay over a battlefield for as long as they are needed.
These helicopters are armed with rockets, cannons, guided anti-tank as well as air-to-air missiles. Modern combat helicopters such as the Apache AH-64 can engage several targets on the ground while dealing with threats in the air.
9. Search and Rescue Helicopters
The significance of a search and rescue helicopter during war and peace times in undeniable. These helicopters have special heat-sensing equipment to detect personnel from the sky. Commonly medical professionals stay on-board during missions to provide immediate assistance to rescued personnel.
10. Combat Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
In recent wars, the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) have established their battle-worthiness. These lethal unmanned aircraft being operated from different part of the planet, can strike a target with unmatched precision. The MQ-9 ‘Reaper’ has been widely utilized by the US in Afghanistan and Iraq and it provided valuable intel from its imaging pod and was used to strike the targets as commanded.
Conclusion and Summary
Military aircraft come in different shapes, sizes, and capabilities but no one can deny their dominance and significance in a battle. For a military to gain a decisive edge in modern combat, it has to have the right number and combination of military aircraft.
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