A-10 Thunderbolt II

Rolling inverted after receiving fuel from a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, A Fairchild-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II or “Warthog” returns to its duties supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, 2017. Displaying an asymmetric loadout of various air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions as well as a precision targeting pod, this view also reveals the unique design of the main landing gear. Rather than retracting entirely into the wing, the lower half of each wheel is left exposed. This enables the jet to land with minimal damage even if the landing gear malfunctions and fails to extend. Photo: U.S. Air Force photo / Staff Sgt. Trevor T. McBride

A-10 Thunderbolt II
NASA_Shock-Wave_Photo
April 15, 2025

Revealing Fluid Dynamics in Flight through Schlieren Photography

Despite the stunning scenes produced of aircraft in various stages of flight, many aspects of aviation in general and aerodynamics in particular often remain invisible to the naked eye.

hornet-contributor_tile
November 27, 2023

First Boeing T-7A Red Hawk Delivered to Air Force

The first production Boeing T-7A Red Hawk was delivered to the US Air Force on September 14, 2023. Intended to replace the aging Northrop T-38 Talon that first flew in 1959, the Red Hawk will provide a modern supersonic flight training platform for fighter and bomber pilots.

NIFA
July 26, 2023

Discover National Intercollegiate Flying Association Competitions

Every year, some of the nation’s best and brightest new pilots descend upon otherwise sleepy municipal airports to participate in intense flight competitions. These aren’t competitions involving daredevil stunts or high-speed passes with afterburners, and no spectators line up to enjoy the show. These are collegiate flight competitions in which aviation students harness their skills and strive to fly as…