Military Heat

On October 18, 2002, Boeing declassified its secret Bird of Prey during a rollout ceremony at the company’s facility in St. Louis. Named for a spaceship in the science fiction television series Star Trek, this technology demonstrator pioneered revolutionary advances in low-observable (stealth) features, tailless aircraft design, and rapid prototyping techniques.
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The Scorpene class submarines are part of a new class developed by DCNS (former DCN) of France and Navantia of Spain.Chile has ordered two of these new submarines to replace the Oberon Class submarines (retired in 1998 and 2003).

In June 2002 the Royal Malaysian Navy also ordered two Scorpene submarines and in October 2005 India placed an order for six Scorpene submarines that will be built at Mazagon dockyard in Bombay.

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The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit is a low-observable, strategic, long-range, heavy bomber capable of penetrating sophisticated and dense air-defence shields.Operated exclusively by the US Air Force, the B-2 Spirit is a second generation stealth aircraft, following the F-117A Nighthawk.

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The M1A1/A2 Abrams is the main battle tank in the United States Army and Marine Corps arsenal.Named after General Creighton Abrams, former Chief of Staff and Commander of the 37th Armored Regiment, the M1 Abrams was first deployed in 1980. Saudi Arabia and Egypt also use the M1 Abrams as their nations main battle tank. The M1 Abrams was used in conflict for the first time during the first Gulf War when 1848 were deployed to fight in the deserts of Iraq. (Read more…)

Also known as the Frisbee or the Wobblin’ Goblin the F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter is the world’s first aircraft that incorporates stealth technology.Developed by the famous Skunk Works division of Lockheed Martin as a development of the Have Blue stealth technology demonstrator, the F-117 Nighthawk flew for the first time in 1977.First delivery was made in 1982 and in 1990 the US Air Force received the last of the 59 aircraft ordered. (Read more…)

The heaviest combat aircraft ever to be built, the Tupolev TU-160 (NATO codename Blackjack) is a supersonic, variable geometry heavy bomber designed by the Tupolev Design Bureau.

Due to the antiflash white finish and excellent maneuverability the TU-160 was nicknamed by its pilots the White Swan.There are currently 14 White Swans in service with the Russian Air Force.

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Formerly known as the Future Large Aircraft the Airbus A400M is the next generation tactical transport aircraft.Designed to meet the requirements of European NATO nations for a cost effective high speed turboprop the A400M will fill the gap between the C-130 Hercules and the larger C-17 Globemaster.

On August 28 2007 assembly of the first production Airbus A400M was started in Seville. (Read more…)

The RAH-66 Comanche was an advanced stealth attack/reconnaissance helicopter developed by Boeing and Sikorsky for the US Army.Designed to replace the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior and AH-1 Cobra, the Comanche was the first helicopter to incorporate the stealth technology.Compared to the AH-64 Apache helicopter the Comanche is four times less easy to observe and almost six times quieter.

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In support of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), the Royal Netherlands Army deployed the Fennek armed reconnaissance vehicle in southern Afghanistan.The Fennek is a light armoured 4WD reconnaissance vehicle, operated by a three man crew and deployed in units of two vehicles.A scout party formed up of two of these vehicles is able to operate independently for a period of up to five days.

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The Typhoon ballistic missile nuclear-powered (SSBN) submarines are the largest submarines ever to be built, with a displacement of 48,000 tonnes and a length of 175 meters.The Soviet Navy deployed the Typhoon Class submarines in the 1980s.Made famous by the film Hunt for Red October the Typhoon Class submarines were developed under the name Project 941 for the Russian Akula (Shark) class.

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The Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm BO 105 is the world’s first light twin engined helicopter.The BO 105 has won a well-deserved reputation for performance and reliability since it first flew over 40 years ago.Nicknamed the Flying Tiger this little helicopter is a delight to fly, offering great agility and superb flying characteristics thanks to its rigid rotor.Unlike most helicopters, the BO 105 is fully aerobatic offering great performance and maneouvrability.

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The Tejas single-seat, single-engine, lightweight, high-agility supersonic fighter aircraft has been undergoing flight trials in preparation for operational clearance, and by mid 2005 had flown over 400 flights up to speeds of Mach 1.4. The Tejas light combat aircraft design and development program is being led by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) of the Indian Department of Defence with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as the prime industrial contractor.

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