From the Wright Brother's airplane to the stealth to the space program, Purdue University is important in aviation. The first Purdue graduate to become an aviator received his flight instruction from Orville Wright himself.

Purdue Univeristy is noted for leading-edge technology.

The F-117 Stealth Fighter (Nighthawk) uses the "F" designation, however, it is chiefly a ground-attack plane sometimes used as a bomber. Because the strength of a radar return is proportional to the edge configuration of an object, the plane has a boxy, aerodynamically unstable appearance. Its stealth technology also includes its surface coating. The GBU-27, a 2200 lb. laser-guided bomb, used in Baghdad, Iraq, was designed specifically for use for it.

The SR-71, Blackbird, has a top speed of Mach 3.5 -- more than 3 times the speed of sound. Its actual top speed may be classified and some say it has flown at speeds up to Mach 14. It is 107 feet long with a maximum altitude of over 100,000 feet and has stealth capabilities. Some think a replacement, the Aurora, is entering service. The SR-71 may still be the world's fastest airplane. Some may have been brought back into service.

The T-38, Talon, is an advanced, twin engine, high-altitude, supersonic jet. The Northrop jet is the only supersonic trainer in the world, used by few countries, and was used with the SR-71. Versions are still in use.

The B-2, stealth bomber is made by Northrop Grumman. This multi-role heavy bomber can deploy both nuclear and conventional weapons.

Paul Tibbets, who died 07.11.01 in Columbus, Ohio, was the US pilot who initiated the age of nuclear warfare when he dropped the atom bomb "Little Boy'' on Hiroshima in World War II. Also at Wright-Patterson is the ACTUAL Boeing B-29 Superfortress, Bockscar, which dropped the second atomic bomb (plutonium bomb), called Fat boy/Fatboy/Fat Man, on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945.

The world's first operational jet fighter was the Messerschmitt, Me 262. Its engine, the Junkers Jumo 004 Turbojet, began in 1937. Also shown is the huge B-52D Stratofortress.

Many experimental airplanes can be viewed at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. They can be seen flying over the base, on the runways, and in the Air and Space Museum, including the: YF-22, Flying Tiger, AVF-117 Stealth Fighter Nighthawk B-29 Superfortress Nagasaki Japan B-52D Stratofortress Laser Gilded Bomb Baghdad B-29 bomb Nagasaki "fat boy" F 117 Stealth Bomber B-2 Tacit Blue, possible Laser Airplane, X-13 Vertijet, Fa989, AC-130A Hercules, YF-F fighter jet, YF-5A, X-3, Martin X-24B and U-2

свернуть