Military Aircraft Views

Images of military aircraft, including a Boeing AWACS and stealth fighters, showcasing various angles and features against blue skies or clouds.

DN-SC-05-07436. Country: Unknown

USAF Boeing E-3 AWACS bottom tail view of the airborne command and control aircraft based on the Boeing 707

Tucson, Arizona

DF-ST-87-00863. Country: Unknown

An F-117 Stealth Fighter aircraft takes off on its return flight to the United States following deployment in the region during Operation Desert Storm.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Saudi Arabia(SAU)

A 3/4 left rear view of a C-141 Starlifter from the 437th Airlift Wing, Charleston AFB, S.C., delivering relief goods at Moi International Airport. The relief cargo is bound for Goma, Zaire to help the Rwandan refugees. Subject Operation/Series: SUPPORT HOPE Base: Mombasa Country: Kenya (KEN)

Grumman HU-16 Albatross, twin radial engine amphibious flying boat. Originally designated SA-16. The Albatross was designed to be able to land at sea in open ocean situations in order to effect the rescue of downed pilots. Its deep-V cross-section and substantial length helped make it possible for it to land in wavy conditions. Since it weighs over 12,500 pounds, pilots must have a type rating in order to act as pilot or co-pilot on board the Albatross.

The X-38 a research vehicle built to help develop technology for an emergency Crew Return Vehicle (CRV) descends under its steerable parachute during a July 1999 test flight at the Dryden Flight Research Center Edwards California.

Turboprop Raytheon Prop Fixed Wing Aviat Airplanes Beech King Air 300 charter sky

S77-28137 (13 Sept 1977) --- The Orbiter 101 Enterprise soars above the NASA 747 carrier aircraft during the second free flight of the Shuttle Approach and Landing Tests (ALTs) conducted on September 13, 1977 at Dryden Flight Research Center in Southern California. Astronauts Joe H. Engle, and Richard H. Truly were the crew of the Enterprise. The ALT free flights are designed to verify Orbiter subsonic airworthiness, integrated systems operations and pilot-guided approach and landing capability and satisfying prerequisites to automatic flight control and navigation mode.

DN-SC-05-07436. Country: Unknown

Air-to-air, side view of a 63rd Airlift Wing's C-141B Starlifter, "Spirit of the Inland Empire," as it banks left, with the San Bernardino mountains in the background, for landing at Norton. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Base: Norton Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-89-03601. Country: Unknown

An air-to-air left rear view of a B-1B bomber approaching the refueling boom of a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft during a flight test. This is the first flight in four years for this particular B-1B. Base: Edwards Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Close-up of a bomber plane in flight, B-2 Spirit

MARCH 1978 -- 3/4 front view of a C-141 Starlifter assigned to the 710th Military Airlift Squadron (AFRES), 60th Military Airlift Wing, in flight over the San Francisco Bay en route to Travis AFB, CA.

DN-ST-89-06960. Country: Unknown

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)

Truth or Consequences, Sierra County, New Mexico, United States. Virgin Galactic Spaceport America Runway Dedication. White Knight II in flight.

Air-to-air, high, front view of a 60th Airlift Wing C-141B Starlifter airlifter, with right wing high, flying over the hills of northern California. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Base: Travis Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The third X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus booster rocket left the runway, carried aloft by NASA's B-52B launch aircraft from the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on November 16, 2004. About an hour later the Pegasus booster was launched from the B-52 to accelerate the X-43A to its intended speed of Mach 10.

The X-38, a research vehicle built to help develop technology for an emergency Crew Return Vehicle (CRV), descends under its steerable parachute during a July 1999 test flight at the Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. It was the fourth free flight of the test vehicles in the X-38 program, and the second free flight test of Vehicle 132 or Ship 2. The goal of this flight was to release the vehicle from a higher altitude -- 31,500 feet -- and to fly the vehicle longer -- 31 seconds -- than any previous X-38 vehicle had yet flown. The project team also conducted aerodynamic verification maneuvers and checked improvements made to the drogue parachute.

C-141 (NASA-714) Kuipter Airborne Observatory in flight, telescope hatch open

The large air intakes for its powerful engine are obvious as NASA's high-flying ER-2 #806 Earth resources aircraft taxies out for another science mission.

DN-SC-90-01172. State: Pennsylvania (PA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A NATO Boeing E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft takeoff. Vertical image cropped tightly.

E-2C Hawkeye in Flight

Line of Tu-142MZ anti-submarine airplanes of the Russian Navy at parking position.

Truth or Consequences, Sierra County, New Mexico, United States. Virgin Galactic Spaceport America Runway Dedication. Spacecraft, White Knight II.

Tu-95MS strategic bomber of the Russian Air Force flying over Moscow region, Russia.

S77-28141 (13 Sept 1977) --- The shuttle Orbiter 101 "Enterprise" makes a slight turn and bank maneuver during the second free flight of the Shuttle Approach and Landing Tests (ALT) conducted on September 13, 1977, at the Dryden Flight Research Center in Southern California. The "Enterprise" separated from the NASA 747 carrier aircraft and landed following a five-minute, 28-second unpowered flight. The Orbiter 101 crew was astronauts Joe H. Engle, commander, and Richard H. Truly, pilot. The ALT free flights are designed to verify orbiter subsonic airworthiness, integrated systems operations and pilot-guided approach and landing capability and satisfy prerequisites to automatic flight control and navigation mode. The orbiter soars above the dry California desert in this post-separation view.

B-1 Bomber

A close-up view of the Highly Maneuverable Aircraft Technology (HiMAT) research vehicle attached to a wing pylon on NASAs B-52 mothership during a 1980 test flight. The HiMAT used sharply swept-back wings and a canard configuration to test possible technology for advanced fighters.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - This Super Guppy aircraft rolls down the runway after landing at NASA Kennedy Space Centers Shuttle Landing Facility. It has flown to the Center to pick up and transport the common module structural test element to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. The common module is an aluminum canister used as a structural test element for an actual Space Station flight element. At Marshall, the module will be used to conduct advanced environmental control and life support testing for future NASA exploration missions. The Super Guppy aircraft has a unique hinged nose that can open more than 200 degrees, allowing large pieces of cargo to be loaded and unloaded from the front. Guppy aircraft were used in several past space programs, including Gemini, Apollo and Skylab, to transport spacecraft components. NASA personnel at Ellington Field outfitted the Super Guppy with a specially designed cradle to be used when carrying International Space Stat

MOSCOW REGION, CHERNOE AIRFIELD 22 May 2021: airplane amphibious aircraft SK-12 Orion - Seagull the Sky aviation festival, theory and practice MOSCOW REGION, CHERNOE AIRFIELD 22 May 2021: airplane amphibious aircraft SK-12 Orion - Seagull the Sky aviation festival, theory and practice. Copyright: xZoonar.com/AlexanderxStrelax 18312901

971005-M-0000M-001. Country: Unknown

NASA Dryden's B-52H in flight

The X-48C Hybrid Wing Body research aircraft flew over the intersection of several runways adjacent to the compass rose on Rogers Dry Lake at Edwards Air Force Base during one of the sub-scale aircraft's final test flights on Feb. 28, 2013.

After replacement of its landing gear at NASA Dryden, NASA's Super Guppy Turbine cargo plane takes off from Edwards AFB to return to the Johnson Space Center.

Marchetti SF-260 SF260 performing a break / wing-over. Over the deserts of Southern California.

Landing of Orbiter Challenger at KSC at completion of 41G mission. View of the rear of the Orbiter as it approaches the runway with its landing gear extended. The main engines are clearly visible. The KSC Alternative Photo Number is 108-KSC-84PC-654 (43896). KSC, FL

Pima Air Museum B36J

DF-SD-07-26033. Base: Unknown

A right side view of a C-1A Trader cargo/transport aircraft on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63). Base: USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63)

Tucson, Arizona

NASA's new B-52H mother ship at the ready, with renowned NASA B-52B 008 poised beside.

DN-SC-88-08219. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

Seated in the rear station of a NASA T-38 jet trainer aircraft, Russian Cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev prepares to take a familiarization flight.

The above-the-fuselage engine and V-tail distinguish one of NASA's two Global Hawk unmanned aircraft parked on the ramp at the Dryden Flight Research Center.

Phantom of the Ruhr

Mayer MI glider, c1929, (1932). Creator: Unknown.

August 14, 2003 - A B-2 Spirit soars through the sky.

Air-to-air, high, front view of a 60th Airlift Wing C-141B Starlifter airlifter flying over the northern California terrain. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Base: Travis Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The Perseus B remotely piloted aircraft taxis on the runway at Edwards Air Force Base, California, before a series of development flights at NASA's Dryden flight Research Center. The Perseus B is the latest of three versions of the Perseus design developed by Aurora Flight Sciences under NASA's Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) program.

C-20A (Gulfstream III) in flight over the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

DN-SC-04-13403. State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-SC-04-12499. Base: San Diego State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A close-up view of an AGM-86 air-launched cruise missile mounted on a B-52 Stratofortress aircraft wing pylon for an icing test mission. Base: Hill Air Force Base State: Utah (UT) Country: United States Of America (USA)

E-2C Hawkeye in Flight

The tailless X-36 technology demonstrator research aircraft cruises over the California desert at low altitude during a 1997 research flight.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - United Space Alliance technicians prepare to uncover the cockpit windows on space shuttle Endeavour for an employee photo opportunity at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Endeavour is balanced and secured atop NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, or SCA.The SCA, a modified 747 jetliner, will fly Endeavour to Los Angeles where it will be placed on public display at the California Science Center. This is the final ferry flight scheduled in the Space Shuttle Program era.

Boeing X-48B

DF-ST-86-04054. Country: United Kingdom (GBR)

DN-ST-89-02162. Country: Unknown

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, xenon lights positioned at the end of Runway 15 illuminate the Shuttle Landing Facility for space shuttle Atlantis' final return from space. Securing the space shuttle fleet's place in history, Atlantis marked the 26th nighttime landing of NASA's Space Shuttle Program and the 78th landing at Kennedy. Main gear touchdown was at 5:57:00 a.m. EDT, followed by nose gear touchdown at 5:57:20 a.m., and wheelstop at 5:57:54 a.m. On board are STS-135 Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley, and Mission Specialists Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim.On the 37th shuttle mission to the International Space Station, STS-135 delivered the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module filled with more than 9,400 pounds of spare parts, equipment and supplies that will sustain station operations for the next year. STS-135 was the 33rd and final flight for Atlantis, which has spent 307 days in space, orbited Earth 4,848 times and traveled 125

The X-34 Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) concept is pictured here. NASA plarned to utilize the X-34 small reusable booster for research of Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) technologies that may be applicable to future larger RLV's. It was being developed cooperatively by Orbital Science Corporation, Rockwell International Corporation, and NASA. The objectives of the X-34 program were to significantly reduce launch costs for small payloads and to provide a test bed for NASA RLV technology. The X-34 would be launched from a 747 shuttle carrier aircraft. After delivering its payload (booster by an upper stage) to orbit, it would land autonomously on the same runway from which the 747 departed. The X-34 vehicle was powered by a liquid oxygen tank (LOX) and an RP-1 liquid Fastrac engine that was designed and built by Marshall Space Flight Center. The X-34 would be capable of speeds up to Mach 8 and altitudes of 250,000 feet. The X-34 program was cancelled in 2001.

Following initial captive flight tests last year at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards Air Force Base, California, the X-34 technology demonstrator began a new series of tests last week in which it is being towed behind a semi-truck and released to coast on the Edwards dry lakebed.On July 20, 2000, it was towed and released twice at speeds of five and 10 miles per hour. On July 24, 2000, it was towed and released twice at 10 and 30 miles per hour.Twelve tests are planned during which the X-34 will be towed for distances up to 10,000 feet and released at speeds up to 80 miles per hour. The test series is expected to last at least six weeks.

NASAs ER-2 high altitude aircraft takes off from Armstrong Flight Research Center Building 703 in Palmdale, California to perform a check flight for the the Dynamics and Chemistry of the Summer Stratosphere, or DCOTSS, 2022 campaign on May 13, 2022.

DN-SN-89-06998. Country: Unknown

A close-up rear view of a 37th Tactical Fighter Wing F-117A Stealth Fighter aircraft on display at the Department of Defense Joint Services Open House. Base: Andrews Air Force Base State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

XV-15 (NASA 703) ATB Blade baseline tie down test with RADS

Side View of Nose of Consolidated B-36. Side View of Nose of Consolidated B-36. "Side view of nose of Consolidated B-36 showing insignia of '4925th Test Group Atomic'. This plane along with others was used by the Special Weapons Command in connection with Continental Nuclear Test Program, Indian Springs Air Force Base, Nevada."

Fuselage and wings of an old plane on blue sky background.

A Boeing 747-200 from Wardair (Canada) in the landing at Schiphol Airport.

A B-2 Spirit taxis out for Red Flag-Nellis 24-1 mission at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Jan. 16, 2024. Red Flag exercises provide aircrews the experience of multiple, intensive air combat sorties in the safety of a training environment.

DN-SN-89-09629. Base: Unknown

Right side view of an AGM-86 air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) in flight. Base: Hill Air Force Base State: Utah (UT) Country: United States Of America (USA)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- After a three-day trip from California, the shuttle carrier aircraft, or SCA, and its piggyback passenger space shuttle Endeavour fly through cool, blue skies toward a landing on the Shuttle Landing Facility runway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Touchdown at Kennedy was at 2:44 p.m. EST. The SCA is a modified Boeing 747 jetliner. Endeavour landed at Edwards Air Force Base in California Nov. 30 to end mission STS-126. The return to Kennedy began Dec. 8 and took four days after stops across the country for fuel. The last stop was at Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, La. Weather conditions en route and in Florida postponed the landing at Kennedy until Dec. 12.

An air-to-air left rear view of a B-1B bomber being refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft during a test flight. This is the first flight in four years for this particular B-1B. Base: Edwards Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

AWAC Jet Aboard the USS Forrestal Aircraft Carrier, New Orleans, Louisiana

Two NACA Aircraft on Rogers Dry Lake

The DARPA/U.S. Air Force X-45A Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) system demonstration program completed the first phase of demonstrations, known as Block I, on Feb. 28, 2003.The final Block I activities included two flights at Dryden, during which safe operation of the weapons bay door was verified at 35,000 feet and speeds of Mach 0.75, the maximum planned altitude and speed for the two X-45A demonstrator vehicles.

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 C-118 Liftmaster aircraft becomes airborne. Base: Naval Air Station, Keflavik Country: Iceland (ISL)

X-40A Free Flight #5. The unpowered X-40A, an 85 percent scale risk reduction version of the proposed X-37, proved the capability of an autonomous flight control and landing system in a series of glide flights at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center in California.NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, manages the X-37 project. At Dryden, the X-40A underwent a series of ground and air tests to reduce possible risks to the larger X-37, including drop tests from a helicopter to check guidance and navigation systems planned for use in the X-37. The X-37 is designed to demonstrate technologies in the orbital and reentry environments for next-generation reusable launch vehicles that will increase both safety and reliability, while reducing launch costs from $10,000 per pound to $1,000 per pound.

TF-104G #824 flies chase on NB-52B durng a DAST ARW-1 captive flight.9/14/79

(12 Aug 1977) --- The Shuttle Orbiter 101 'Enterprise' soars above the NASA 747 carrier aircraft only seconds after separating during the first free flight of the Shuttle Approach and Landing Tests (ALTs) conducted on August 12, 1977 at Dryden Flight Research Center in Southern California.

The uniquely-shaped Proteus high-altitude research aircraft lifts off from the runway at the Mojave Airport in Mojave, California.

Making a nice landing, the X-48B Blended Wing Body research aircraft team ends another successful Block 2 flight.

DN-ST-89-06961. Country: Unknown

XV-5B (NASA 705) fan in wing airplane in flight

An underside view of a KC-10A Extender aircraft in flight. Base: Edwards Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

White House Communications Agency (WHCA) staff advance trip to Costa Rica. An airplane sits on a tarmac in Costa Rica, during a White House Communications Agency (WHCA) staff trip in advance of President John F. Kennedy's visit.

Artwork: "C-5A at Moffett Field, California Air Show," 1981Artist: Marty Viljamaa. Country: Unknown

Vintage amphibious Grumman Goose seaplane in service with Pacific Coastal Airlines, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.

An air-to-air right side view of a T-44A aircraft. Country: Unknown

The Space Shuttle orbiter Atlantis touches down on Runway 33 of the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility, bringing to an end the nine-day STS-84 mission. Main gear touchdown was at 9:27:44 EDT on May 24, 1997. The first landing opportunity was waved off because of low cloud cover. It was the 37th landing at KSC since the Shuttle program began in 1981, and the eighth consecutive landing at KSC. STS-84 was the sixth of nine planned dockings of the Space Shuttle with the Russian Space Station Mir. Atlantis was docked with the Mir for five days. STS-84 Mission Specialist C. Michael Foale replaced astronaut and Mir 23 crew member Jerry M. Linenger, who has been on the Russian space station since Jan. 15. Linenger returned to Earth on Atlantis with the rest of the STS-84 crew, Mission Commander Charles J. Precourt, Pilot Eileen Marie Collins, and Mission Specialists Carlos I. Noriega, Edward Tsang Lu, Elena V. Kondakova of the Russian Space Agency and JeanFrancois Clervoy of the European Space Agenc

DN-ST-89-05697. Base: Unknown

of 3