The Wright Brother's first flight was in 1903. Only 5 years later the Wright Brothers were showing their airplanes to the Army. The military in several countries were interested in using airplanes in war. The Italian army was the first to use it for war. They dropped the first bombs. They took the first aerial (in the air) photographs and were the first to have one of their airplanes shot down.

A little later, airplanes were used in World War I . The airplanes all had the basics needed to fly. They had a fuselage (body), wings, tail rudder, an engine and a pilot. But, the materials were not very strong and many planes were lost in accidents. During the War much was learned and airplanes began to improve.

After the War (1918), the military started making and using new ideas. The aircraft carrier was developed. An aircraft carrier is a ship that carries aircraft. This allowed aircraft to be taken all over the world. Long range, multi-engine bombers were built. At the same time helicopters were tested.

During the 1930's bigger, faster and better planes were built. Planes could fly farther and carry more people and things, like bombs and guns. But, other countries were making new airplanes even faster. By the time World War II began the United States had fewer planes and men in the military than Germany or England.

Because of this President Roosevelt and the congress gave more money to the military to make many new airplanes. The new airplanes could go faster, carry more bombs, and go further. Some of them were: the P-47 Thunderbolt (fighter bomber); the P-51 and the B-29 Super Fortress.

After World War II military aircraft designers knew that jets were the airplanes of the future. The propeller driven aircraft were too slow for war. Several jet fighters and bombers were developed and built. They could go faster than the speed of sound (Mach 1) and some could even fly at Mach 2 (twice the speed of sound - about 1,500 miles per hour)

During the Vietnam War many propeller driven aircraft were used. Jet fighters and bombers were used later in the war. The helicopter was also used during the Vietnam War. It was able to carry soldiers quickly to a battle front and return with wounded soldiers. The helicopters also became "gunships", loaded with guns and rockets.

Today, military aircraft are not only fast, but hard to find with radar. This kind of aircraft is built with a special "skin" that scatters radar signals. One military aircraft can fly at 85,000 feet at 35 miles per minute! It can detect (find) enemy lines or installations up to 30 miles on each side of the aircraft.

It takes many years (and much money) to design (plan) and build new aircraft. But our military and government want us to be safe and ready for any enemy.

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Last modified: Sat Apr 25 15:45:02 PDT 1998