Military Aircraft In Flight

Dynamic shots of various military aircraft soaring through the skies, featuring detailed views of different models and configurations against dramatic cloud backdrops.

F-15 aircraft from the Louisiana Air National Guard are parked on the flightline at Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base, Ala., Sept. 30, 2022. The aircraft were scheduled to do flyovers for an Ole Miss football game and the Talladega Superspeedway on Oct. 01 and Oct. 02.

An air-to-air right side view of a Fleet Composite Squadron 10 (VC-10) TA-4J Skyhawk aircraft armed with AIM-9 sidewinder missiles and Mark 20 cluster bombs. The aircraft is stationed at Naval Air Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Country: Unknown

DN-SC-87-02802. Country: Unknown

F-15 aircraft from the Louisiana Air National Guard are parked on the flightline at Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base, Ala., Sept. 30, 2022. The aircraft were scheduled to do flyovers for an Ole Miss football game and the Talladega Superspeedway on Oct. 01 and Oct. 02.

An air-to-air overhead front view of an EF-111A Raven aircraft en route to RAF Upper Heyford, United Kingdom, from Pease Air Force Base, New Hampshire. Country: Unknown

Artwork: "Top Gun" Artist: William Phillips. Country: Unknown

NASA's F-15B Research Testbed aircraft flew instrumentation in June 2004 called the Local Mach Investigation (LMI), designed to gather local airflow data for future research projects using the aircraft's Propulsion Flight Test Fixture (PFTF). The PFTF is the black rectangular fixture attached to the aircraft's belly. The LMI package was located in the orange device attached to the PFTF.

An air-to-air left side view of an F-111 aircraft flown by the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath. Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

Mid-Air Refueling

A view of an SR-71 Blackbird aircraft in flight. The aircraft, from the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, will be refueled by a KC-10 Extender aircraft during testing. Base: Beale Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

low angle Military Jets Fixed Wing Boeing Aviat Airplanes FA-18 Hornet grey approach arrestor hook landing gear

An air-to-air right side view of a B-1B Testbed aircraft (originally the B-1A prototype). The aircraft is painted in European camouflage. Base: Edwards Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

US Air Force A-7 Corsair

High angle view of an A-4 Skyhawk

An air-to-air left side view of a B-1 bomber aircraft off the coast of Virginia. Country: Unknown

A right side view of an F-14A Tomcat aircraft preparing for takeoff. Base: Naval Air Station, Fallon State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Mirage 2000 fighter bomber under cloudy sky in Netherlands

A left side view of a B-52 Stratofortress aircraft carrying AGM-109 Tomahawk air-launched cruise missiles. Base: Hill Air Force Base State: Utah (UT) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A left side view of an F-15 Eagle aircraft as it takes off. The aircraft is assigned to the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing and is armed with an AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missile on the wing pylon. Base: Kadena Air Base State: Okinawa Country: Japan (JPN)

DF-ST-89-05353. Country: Unknown

DN-ST-89-06444. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

040420-F-7709A-009. Country: Gulf Of Mexico

An air-to-air right underside view of an F-4E Phantom II aircraft equipped with an SUU dispenser on right wing, Pave Tack center mounted and an LGB-10 Mark 84 on left wing. Base: Eglin Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-ST-85-02894. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

S81-39564 (14 Nov. 1981) --- This view of the space shuttle Columbia (STS-2) was made with a hand-held 70mm camera in the rear station of the T-38 chase plane. Mission specialist/astronaut Kathryn D. Sullivan exposed the frame as astronauts Joe N. Engle and Richard H. Truly aboard the Columbia guided the vehicle to an unpowered but smooth landing on the desert area of Edwards Air Force base in California. The picture provides a good view of the underside of the returning spacecraft.

A Super Etendard aircraft of the Argentine Navy briefly touches down on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72). The plane is taking part in touch-and-go landings aboard the LINCOLN during the vessel's circumnavigation of South America. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

An F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing takes off for a training mission from the Vermont Air National Guard Base, South Burlington, Vermont, April 3, 2023. The training mission is an Agile Combat Employment training exercise.

An air-to-air overhead view of the YF-22 advanced tactical fighter aircraft during a test flight. The aircraft represents the latest developments in stealth or low observable technology.. Country: Unknown

Air to air view right side view of a 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing's SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft, on a mission out of Beale Air Force Base, California. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Country: Unknown

DN-ST-87-02266. Country: Unknown

On the runway, a German Air Force (Luftwaffe) McDonnell F-4 Phantom II rolls out after landing

AN air-to-air left side view of an F-106 Delta Dart aircraft with its bomb bay open during a training mission. The aircraft are from the 5th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. Base: Minot Air Force Base State: North Dakota (ND) Country: United States Of America (USA)

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - MAY 7, 2021: Avia parade in Moscow. su-35 and strategic bomber and missile platform Tu-160 in the sky on parade of Victory in World War II in Moscow, Russia MOSCOW, RUSSIA - MAY 7, 2021: Avia parade in Moscow. su-35 and strategic bomber and missile platform Tu-160 in the sky on parade of Victory in World War II in Moscow, Russia Copyright: xZoonar.com/AlexanderxStrelax 20048761

An air-to-air right side view of two A-6E Intruder aircraft assigned to the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69). Country: Unknown

F-14 Tomcats on the ramp at Naval Air Station Miramar, California.

military fighter jet on take-off or landing

DN-SC-87-02820. Country: Unknown

DN-ST-87-02586. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

DN-SC-88-05378. Country: Unknown

DN-ST-89-05699. Country: Unknown

X-29 at High Angle of Attack with Smoke Generators

DN-ST-87-09073. Country: Unknown

Two F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighters fly on a training sortie out of of Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.

The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, known as the Thunderbirds, performed for the KC Air Show in Gardner, Kansas, Sept. 3, 2022. The Thunderbirds are slated to perform nearly 70 shows this year across more than 30 showsites around the world.

Front view of an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft from Tactical Fighter Weapons Center Det.1, parked on the flight line. Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

SR-71

An air-to-air right side view of an S-3A Viking aircraft assigned to Air Anti-submarine Squadron 32 (VS-32) on the aircraft carrier USS AMERICA (CV 66). Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

1970s F-111 US AIR FORCE JET AIRCRAFT

Air to air view right side, high, view of a 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing's SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft, flying over scattered clouds, on a mission out of Beale Air Force Base, California. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Country: Unknown

A B-1B Lancer from Dyess Air Force Base flies over a college baseball game at Crutcher Scott Field in Abilene, Texas, April 5, 2022. The B-1 is capable of carrying the largest conventional payload of any U.S. bomber.

The F-16B Duo-Zeater (J-259) just after the transfer by the breeder factory to the Royal Netherlands Air Force at Schiphol.

Glider type ASH 26 E above the clouds, Ratzeburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, Europe

B-52 Launch Aircraft in Flight

U.S. Air Force Maj. Kristin Beo Wolfe, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team commander and lead pilot, taxis during Wings Over Solano at Travis Air Force Base, California, May 14, 2022. The Wings Over Solano open house and air show provided an opportunity for the local community to interact directly with the base and its Airmen and see capabilities on full display at Travis AFB.

Fighter jet at the airshow, Mirabel, Province of Quebec, Canada, North America

Detail of XB-70 In Flight

050107-F-9871C-005. Base: Langley Air Force Base State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A US Navy F-14D Tomcat takes off from Roswell Industrial Air Center during the annual air defense exercise. Subject Operation/Series: ROVING SANDS '95 Base: Roswell State: New Mexico (NM) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Military jet bomber Su-24 Fencer flying above the clouds Military jet bomber Su-24 Fencer flying above the clouds. Copyright: xZoonar.com/aarrowsx 10959519

Linear Aerospike SR-71 Experiment (LASRE) Dumps Water After First Cold Flow Test

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the Air Force Reserve Command Test Center arrives in support of a joint force exercise on Sept. 8, 2022, at Dugway Proving Ground, Utah. This joint force exercise incorporates more than seven military entities across three branches creating innovative operational concepts to allow quick response to an ever changing wartime horizon.

Right underside view of an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft silhouetted by a purple sunset. This photo was entered in the March 1980 Aerospace Audio Visual Service PHOTO Contest. Base: Westfield State: Massachusetts (MA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A right side view of an SR-71 Blackbird aircraft on a fog-shrouded runway. The SR-71 is flown by Det. 4, 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, 3rd Air Force, RAF Mildenhall. Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

A right side view of a Fighter Squadron 84 (VF-84) F-14A Tomcat aircraft parked on the flight line. Base: Naval Air Station, Oceana State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Right side view of an F-5E Tiger II aircraft on the flight line ready for take-off. Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

F-104A #818 flown by Einar Enevoldson.4/11/75NASA DFRCEC76-5079NASA Photo by Bob Rhine

An air-to-air left underside view of a Fighter Squadron 143 (VF-143) F-14A Tomcat aircraft. Country: Unknown

A right side view of an F-111 aircraft during testing of B-83 nuclear bomb dummies. Base: Edwards Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

1991 - This photo shows a head-on view of NASA's SR-71B on the ramp at the Air Force's Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, shortly before delivery to DFRC.

Italian Air Force F-35A in flight over Iceland.

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds wow the crowd as two birds become one during the Frontiers in Flight Air Show at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, Sept. 25, 2022. The air show featured 12 performers including Tora Tora Tora, an A-10 demonstration, and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds to name a few. An air show, also known as an open house, is a way for military members and installations to show appreciation to local communities as well as showcase Department of Defense and Air Force capabilities. Wichita, home to McConnell AFB, is known as the Air Capital of the World, the birthplace of some very famous airframes.

A 75th Airlift Squadron (75th AS) C-5B Galaxy aircraft, left, and a 7th Airlift Squadron (7th AS) C-141B Starlifter aircraft, right, fly over the northern California coastline at dusk. State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

ER-2 tail number 706, was one of two Airborne Science ER-2s used as science platforms by Dryden. The aircraft were platforms for a variety of high-altitude science missions flown over various parts of the world. They were also used for earth science and atmospheric sensor research and development, satellite calibration and data validation.

A view of the tail sections of several 336th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 4th Tactical Fighter Wing, F-4E Phantom II aircraft parked on the flight line. Base: Seymour Johnson Air Force Base State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air-to-air right side view of a Soviet MiG-31 Foxhound aircraft. Country: Unknown

An F-22 Raptor taxi's to the runway for a training mission out of Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.

An F-35 Lightning II takes off over Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, Nov. 16, 2022. Luke AFB is the largest fighter wing in the world and home to 24 fighter squadrons that train with both F-35s and F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft.

F4 Phantom flying over Ukiah, California.

An air-to-air left side view of the B-1 Bomber aircraft during its first flight before the Farnborough Air Show. Base: Edwards Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The number two F-15A (Serial #71-0281) was obtained by NASA from the U.S. Air Force in 1976 and was used for more than 25 advanced research projects involving aerodynamics, performance, propulsion control, control integration, instrumentation development, human factors, and flight test techniques. Included in these projects was its role as a testbed to evaluate aerodynamic pressures on Space Shuttle thermal protection tiles at specific altitudes and speeds.

Testing the Shuttle Thermal Protection System

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. -- On Feb. 26, 2011, an F-35B test aircraft (BF-2) completed its 100th flight with Lockheed Martin test pilot David "Doc" Nelson at the controls. The 100th flight for BF-2 accomplished further short take-off envelope expansion in preparation for shipboard testing later this year. The F-35B is the Marine Corps variant of the Joint Strike Fighter, which is capable of short take-offs and vertical landings. It is undergoing test and evaluation at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.

A front view of an SR-71 aircraft from the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing landing. The aircraft is silhouetted against the sunset. Base: Beale Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A right front view of an F/A-18 Hornet aircraft as it takes off from the the deck of the aircraft carrier USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64) during an operational evaluation (OPEVAL). Base: USS Constellation (CV 64) Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

A Super Etendard aircraft of the Argentine Navy briefly touches down on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72). The plane is taking part in touch-and-go landings aboard the LINCOLN during the vessel's circumnavigation of South America. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

A ground-to-air left rear view of an SR-71 Blackbird aircraft taking off from a fog-shrouded runway. The SR-71 is flown by Det. 4, 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, 3rd Air Force, RAF Mildenhall. Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

An F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 354th Fighter Wing taxis on the runway during a routine readiness exercise at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, May 20, 2022. The formation demonstrated the wing's ability to rapidly mobilize and launch aircraft from its strategic arctic location.

A B-1B Lancer takes off from Edwards AFB to Tinker AFB for scheduled PDM

An F-16 assigned to the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron (TES) taxis out for a training mission at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, May 4, 2022. The 422nd TES performs operational testing of all fighter aircraft and munitions used by Air Combat Command

A People's Liberation Army Air Force J-10A military plane taxiing.

USAF SR-71 BLACK BIRD RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT

An air-to-air front view of an F-14A Tomcat aircraft after being launched from the aircraft carrier USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63). Country: Unknown

A NASA SR-71 made its successful first flight Oct. 31 as part of the NASA/Rocketdyne/Lockheed Martin Linear Aerospike SR-71 Experiment (LASRE) at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California.The SR-71 took off at 8:31 a.m. PST. The aircraft flew for one hour and fifty minutes, reaching a maximum speed of Mach 1.2 before landing at Edwards at 10:21 a.m. PST, successfully validating the SR-71/linear aerospike experiment configuration.The goal of the first flight was to evaluate the aerodynamic characteristics and the handling of the SR-71/linear aerospike experiment configuration. The engine was not fired during the flight.

Right side view of a QF-4B Phantom II target aircraft launching an AQM-37A Challenger Target over the Pacific Missile Test Center Range. Base: Naval Air Station, Point Mugu State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, known as the Thunderbirds,” F-16 Fighting Falcon taxis to park in preparation for the 2022 Legacy of Liberty Air Show and Open House, May 4, 2022, on Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. Eight U.S. Air Force officers serve as the Thunderbirds’ highly experienced F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots, and four officers serve in critical roles from medical support to public affairs.

Two PZL-130 Orlik trainers of the Polish Air Force in flight.

This photograph shows the SR-71 with the Linear Aerospike SR-71 Experiment on the rear fuselage as seen from above. The photo was taken on the first flight of the aircraft with the experiment aboard, which took place on 31 October 1997.

F15 On Runway

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