Fact Sheet Alphabetical List

Fact Sheet Search

  • General Atomics Aeronautical Systems RQ-1 Predator

    Technically, the RQ-1 Predator is not just an aircraft but an entire system. Developed as an Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD), this system consisted of four unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), a ground control station, a satellite communications terminal and 55 personnel. The Predator

  • Boeing B-1B Lancer

    The Boeing (formerly Rockwell International) B-1B Lancer is the improved variant of the B-1A, which was cancelled in 1977. Initiated in 1981, the first production model of this long-range, multi-role, heavy bomber flew in October 1984. The first operational B-1B was delivered to Dyess Air Force

  • Fairchild Republic A-10A Thunderbolt II

    The A-10 is the first U.S. Air Force aircraft designed specifically for close air support of ground forces. It is named for the famous P-47 Thunderbolt, a fighter often used in a close air support role during the latter part of World War II. The A-10 is very maneuverable at low speeds and low

  • General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon

    The F-16 on display (S/N 81-0663) was one of the first F-16s to be received by the Thunderbirds in 1982 when they transitioned from T-38s to F-16s. The Thunderbirds continued to fly this aircraft until 1992 when they converted to F-16Cs. It was then modified to operational condition and assigned to

  • Eugene Jacques Bullard

    America's First Black Military Aviator In August of 1917 Eugene Jacques Bullard, an American volunteer in the French army, became the first African American military pilot and one of only a few blacks pilot in World War I. Born in Columbus, Ga., on Oct. 9, 1894, Eugene Bullard left home at the age

  • Lockheed F-104C Starfighter

    Designed as a supersonic superiority fighter, the F-104 was produced in two major versions. Armed with a six-barrel M-61 20mm Vulcan cannon, it served as a tactical fighter, and when equipped additionally with heat-seeking Sidewinder missiles, as a day-night interceptor. Development of the F-104

  • Douglas C-133A Cargo Master

    The turboprop C-133 was developed to fulfill USAF requirements for a large-capacity strategic cargo aircraft. The Cargo Master went directly into production as the C-133A; no prototypes were built. The first C-133A made its initial flight on April 23, 1956, and when production ended in 1961, Douglas

  • Convair B-58A Hustler

    The U.S. Air Force's first operational supersonic bomber, the B-58 made its initial flight on Nov. 11, 1956. In addition to the Hustler's delta wing shape, distinctive features included a sophisticated inertial guidance navigation and bombing system, a slender "wasp-waist" fuselage and an extensive

  • Boeing KC-97L Stratofreighter

    A cargo version of the B-29, the C-97 Stratofreighter first flew in November 1944. Boeing introduced the tanker version, KC-97 with the "flying boom" refueling system, in 1950. In all, the USAF ordered 890 aircraft: 74 C-97s and 816 KC-97s. To keep its tankers compatible with its newer high

  • Martin B-57B Canberra

    After the Korean War began in 1950, the U.S. Air Force looked for a jet-powered medium bomber to quickly replace the aging, propeller-driven Douglas B-26 Invader. In March 1951 the USAF contracted with Martin to build the British Canberra in the United States under license. The Martin-built B-57