Military Aircraft Showcase

Dramatic views of military fighter jets and reconnaissance aircraft in flight or on the ground, illustrating advanced aerial technology.

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

DF-SC-85-09963. Country: Unknown

AN air-to-air left side view of an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A close-up view of an SR-71A high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft parked on a ramp at the base. The aircraft was on a test flight from Palmdale, California, when it developed a hydraulic leak. Base: Mountain Home Air Force Base State: Idaho (ID) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Kampfjet Jet am Boden Parkposition Copyright: xZoonar.com/AndrexHamannx 1622256

An F-117 Nighthawk from the 53d Test and Evaluation Group's Detachment 1 flies a training sortie near Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.

A 48th Tactical Fighter Wing F-111F aircraft departs for Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Base: Raf Lakenheath State: East Anglia Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

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

A Super Etendard aircraft of the Argentine Navy passes over 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)

Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, October 22, 2003 - A F/A-22 Raptor sits on the parking ramp. The F/A-22 is a new breed of super-fighter for the 21st century and is the first aircraft with the ability to fly at supersonic speeds without afterburners.

Fighter plane refueling in mid air

A left side view of an F-14A Tomcat aircraft taking off from a ramp, raised nine degrees, during "ski jump" feasibility tests. Base: Natc, Patuxent River State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

During the 1988 SAC Bomb Competition an F-111 fighter-bomber comes in for a landing. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Country: Unknown

Outlined with gold stripes are the hinged nose strakes, modifications made to NASA's F-18 HARV (High Alpha Research Vehicle) at the Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California.Actuated Nose Strakes for Enhanced Rolling (ANSER) were installed to fly the third and final phase in the HARV flight test project. Normally folded flush, the units -- four feet long and six inches wide -- can be opened independently to interact with the nose vortices to produce large side forces for control.Early wind tunnel tests indicated that the strakes would be as effective in yaw control at high angles of attack as rudders are at lower angles. Testing involved evaluation of the strakes by themselves as well as combined with the aircraft's Thrust Vectoring System. The strakes were designed by NASA's Langley Research Center, then installed and flight tested at Dryden.

Airplane Flying - Panama

A right side view of a Fighter Squadron 41 (VF-41) F-14A Tomcat aircraft parked on the flight line. Base: Naval Air Facility, Andrews Afb State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A left side view of the front of a B-2 advanced technology bomber aircraft as it prepares for its first flight, at the Air Force Flight Test Center. Base: Edwards Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

020730-F-7709A-005. State: Utah (UT) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air-to-air top front view of an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft with a large vertical stabilizer. Country: Unknown

A right side front view of two F-16 Falcon, Block 52 aircraft (the only such aircraft in the Air National Guard) from the 157th Fighter Squadron and assigned to the 169th Fighter Wing at McEntire ANG Station South Carolina, in flight. Lans Stout, a visiting free-lance photographer from Atlantic Beach, Florida, captures pure beauty in flight (OCT 97). This photo was used for a picture story in the popular "Code One" magazine. Base: Mcentire Ang Station State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force F-35A taking off from Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

Su-30SM jet fighter of the Russian Navy flying behind a refueling tanker.

DF-SC-87-02072. Country: Unknown

A right side view of a Fighter Squadron 1 (VF-1) F-14A Tomcat aircraft preparing for takeoff. Base: Naval Air Station, Fallon State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A US Air Force (USAF) F-117A Nighthawk passes the Mountain Home Air Force Base (AFB) control tower during take off. The three-day air show celebrated 100 years of aviation and 60 years of airpower in Idaho. (Substandard image). Base: Mountain Home Air Force Base State: Idaho (ID) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Practicing Refueling

Leitwerk Leitwerk Copyright: xZoonar.com/OliverxNowakx 9265539

A left side view of a B-1 bomber aircraft over the base range during testing and evaluation. Base: Edwards Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Italian Air Force F-35A taxiing on the flight line.

A view of F-15 Eagle aircraft from the First Tactical Fighter Wing taking off to participate in the Yorktown Bicentennial Celebration. Base: Langley Air Force Base State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

AN air-to-air underside view of an F-111A over a range. The aircraft, assigned to the 391st Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, is flying with swept-back wings. Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Italian Navy F-35B on the flight deck of the ITS Cavour aircraft carrier.

NASA's historic B-52 mother ship carried the X-43A and its Pegasus booster rocket on a captive carry flight from Edwards Air Force Base Jan. 26, 2004. The X-43A and its booster remained mated to the B-52 throughout the two-hour flight, intended to check its readiness for launch. The hydrogen-fueled aircraft is autonomous and has a wingspan of approximately 5 feet, measures 12 feet long and weighs about 2,800 pounds.

DF-ST-89-05360. Country: Unknown

An F-15 from the 142nd Wing sits ready during a foggy morning at Portland Air National Guard Base, October 18th, 2022, Portland, Ore. The mixture of fog and smoke from local wildfires created limited visibility across the Portland Metro area.

The drag chute opens on the tail of an F-4E Phantom II aircraft upon landing during exercise PHOTO Finish '81. Subject Operation/Series: PHOTO FINISH '81 Base: Gulfport State: Mississippi (MS) Country: United States Of America (USA)

F-14 in Variable Sweep Transition Flight Experiment

060305-F-3177P-166. State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A rear view of a B-2 advanced technology bomber aircraft taxiing during its first flight, at the Air Force Flight Test Center. Base: Edwards Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A NASA F/A-18 flies over the Dryden Flight Research Center and Rogers Dry Lake on December 11, 2002. The aircraft participated in the Automated Aerial Refueling (AAR) project. The 300-gallon aerial refueling store seen on the belly of the aircraft carries fuel and a refueling drogue. This aircraft acted as a tanker in the study to develop an aerodynamic model for future automated aerial refueling, especially of unmanned vehicles.

F-16 in Flight

The first of three new” F/A-18B Hornets arrived at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in California Nov. 6.

NASA F-15B research aircraft #836 shadows its stablemate, F-15B #837, during an Intelligent Flight Control System mission from NASA Dryden.

Testing the Active Aeroelastic Wing F-18

A left side view of a Fighter Squadron 74 (VF-74) F-14B Tomcat aircraft parked on the flight line. The aircraft will be taking part in a flyover during Inaugural festivities for President-elect William Jefferson Clinton. Base: Naf, Washington State: District Of Columbia (DC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

F-15A #281 In Flight

A U.S. Air Force F-22A Raptor at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.

A NASA F/A-18 flies over the Dryden Flight Research Center and Rogers Dry Lake on December 11, 2002. The aircraft participated in the Automated Aerial Refueling (AAR) project. The 300-gallon aerial refueling store seen on the belly of the aircraft carries fuel and a refueling drogue. This aircraft acted as a tanker in the study to develop an aerodynamic model for future automated aerial refueling, especially of unmanned vehicles.

An F-22 Raptor from the 411th Flight Test Squadron, 412th Test Wing, takes off from Edwards Air Force Base, California, to conduct a flyover to kick off the 2022 MLB All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, July 19. (Air Force photo by Giancarlo Casem)

A U.S. Air Force F-35A taxiing at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

DN-ST-89-11157. Base: Naval Air Station, Oceana State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-SC-87-02801. Country: Unknown

Air to air view right side 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

The U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demo Team from the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force Base, Va., performs an aerial demonstration over the Ohio River in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2022 as part of the Thunder Over Louisville air show. This years event celebrated the 75th anniversary of the United States Air Force.

A B-1 Bomber creates an interesting visual for the crowd created by air speed and air density during its flyover performance at the Selfridge 2009 Air show on August 23. (USAF by John S. Swanson)

A 3/4 left front view of an F-15C from the 44th Fighter Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, as it taxis towards the parking area during a fighter exercise between the United States Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force. Subject Operation/Series: IRON FIST '95 Base: Raaf Williamstown Country: Australia (AUS)

A right front view of an Air National Guard F-101 Voodoo aircraft taking off during exercise William Tell '80. Subject Operation/Series: WILLIAM TELL '80 Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35A touching down at Leeuwarden Air Base, The Netherlands.

Straight on view of a strike fighter military aircraft on the ground in Ft. Worth, Texas.

Flt 528Mr. Theodore "Dutch" Dyckman pilots BF-19 during a STOVL currency flight at NAS Patuxent River, Md., February 8, 2023. The LSO for the flight was LtCol Michael "Latch" Lippert.

A B-2 advanced technology bomber takes on its first flight, at the Air Force Flight Test Center. Base: Edwards Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-SC-85-08631. Country: Unknown

Military war plane Military war plane. Plane isolated on white background. airplane in flight. nobody ,model released, Symbolfoto Copyright: xZoonar.com/KamenetskiyxKonstantinx 11781410 ,model released, Symbolfoto ,property released

U.S. Air Force Capt. Aimee Rebel” Fiedler, F-16 Demonstration Team commander and pilot, performed at the Vero Beach Air Show, FL., May 1, 2022. The Viper Demo Team travels to roughly 20 air shows across the United States each year where they engage with local media and members of the community in which they are performing.

An S-211 jet trainer aircraft.

Tu-160M strategic bomber of the Russian Air Force during aerial refueling.

Pilot Gordon Fullerton taxies NASA Dryden's "newest" mission support aircraft, a T-38 Talon, into position on the ramp upon its arrival on February 24, 2005.

F-22 Raptor of the United States Air Force.

DF-ST-89-06751. State: South Dakota (SD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A front view of an A-6 Intruder aircraft from the Marine All-Weather Medium Attack Squadron 224 (VMA (AW)-224) parked on the flight line. Base: Mcas, Cherry Point State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An F-15 Eagle from the 104th Fighter Wing, Massachusetts Air National Guard takes off from Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield Massachusetts. The 104th Fighter Wing provides Air Sovereignty Alert support, protecting the Northeastern United States.

Air-to-air, high, front view of a 60th Airlift Wing C-5B Galaxy airlifter, flying over the foothills of northern California. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Base: Travis Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

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)

DN-ST-89-06969. Country: Unknown

A U.S. Air Force F-22A Raptor on final approach at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

Formerly at NASA's Langley Research Center, this Northrop T-38 Talon is now used for mission support and pilot proficiency at the Dryden Flight Research Center.

Vintage Photograph. Stealth jet flying high against clear blue sky.

YF-17 in Flight

Military jet bomber Military jet bomber on launch. Copyright: xZoonar.com/AlexanderxStrelax 3900753

An Israeli Air Force F-35 Adir taking off from Ovda Air Base, Israel.

Su-30SM jet fighter of the Russian Navy flying in mid-air behind a refueling tanker.

Three T-38 Talons move down the ramp to the runway at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, on April 7, 2022. The 3 planes were flying up to meet 2 F-16 Falcons from Holloman Air Force Base over southwest Texas.

(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.

A U.S. Air Force F-22A Raptor taxiing at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

070116-F-0681L-159. State: North Dakota (ND) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A B-1B Lancer from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, taxis on the flightline at Dyess AFB, Texas, Feb. 3, 2024. Air Force

A left side view of a C-5A Galaxy aircraft in flight near Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina. State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Leaving a trail of dust behind, Endeavour lands on runway 15 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, completing a 13-day mission to the International Space Station. The STS-118 mission began Aug. 8 and installed a new gyroscope, an external spare parts platform and another truss segment to the expanding station. Endeavour's main gear touched down at 12:32:16 p.m. EDT. Nose gear touchdown was at 12:32:29 p.m. and wheel stop was at 12:33:20 p.m. Endeavour traveled nearly 5.3 million miles, landing on orbit 201. STS-118 was the 119th space shuttle flight, the 22nd flight to the station, the 20th flight for Endeavour and the second of four missions planned for 2007. This was the 65th landing of an orbiter at Kennedy.

A Royal Air Force F-35B Lightning flies by in STOVL configuration.

A Royal Thai Air Force F-5E Tiger II aircraft begin its takeoff roll at the start of a mission during the combined Thai/U.S. Exercise Cobra Gold '89. Subject Operation/Series: COBRA GOLD '89 Base: Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base Country: Thailand (THA)

3d render of two jet fighters over the clouds

Fighter Plane

A straight on view of a F-16 Falcon, Block 52 aircraft (the only such aircraft in the Air National Guard) from the 157th Fighter Squadron and assigned to the 169th Fighter Wing at McEntire ANG Station South Carolina. Lans Stout, a visiting free-lance photographer from Atlantic Beach, Florida, captures pure beauty in flight (OCT 97). This photo was used for a picture story in the popular "Code One" magazine. Base: Mcentire Ang Station State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A T-38 does a low fly by on July 20, 2022 on Beale Air Force Base, California. The flight was an official military training to train cadet pilots.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon taxis at the Titans of Flight Air Expo, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, April 9, 2022. The airshow showcases more than 50 aerial demonstration performances and static aircraft displays.

Underside of Aerial Refueling

DN-SC-88-05753. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

An F-35 Lightning II flies at the Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, Nov. 11, 2022. The NAS Pensacola Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show is one of Pensacola's largest events, attracting 150,000-180,000 spectators during the two-day event.

A right side view of the nose section and canopy of an A-7E Corsair II aircraft aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69). Base: USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN 69)

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Superfighter from the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, performs during the Selfridge Air National Guard Base Open House and Air Show on July 9, 2022. Many world-renowned aerial demonstration teams performed for thousands of spectators during the Air Show to honor the Next 100 years of SANGB Aviation’.

of 3