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Military aviation is the design, development and use ofmilitary aircraft and other flying machines for the purposes of conducting or enablingaerial warfare, including nationalairlift (air cargo) capacity to providelogistical supply to forces stationed in awar theater or along afront.Airpower includes the national means of conducting such warfare, including the intersection of transport and warcraft. Military aircraft includebombers,fighters,transports,trainer aircraft, andreconnaissance aircraft.
The first military uses of aviation involvedlighter-than-air balloons. During theBattle of Fleurus in 1794, the French observation balloonl'Entreprenant was used to monitor Austrian troop movements.[1] The use of lighter-than-air aircraft in warfare became prevalent in the 19th century, including regular use in theAmerican Civil War. Lighter-than-air military aviation persisted until shortly afterWorld War II, gradually being withdrawn from various roles asheavier-than-air aircraft improved.
Heavier-than-air aircraft were recognized as having military applications early on, despite resistance from traditionalists and the severe limitations of early aircraft. TheU.S. Army Signal Corps purchased aWright Model A on 2 August 1909 which became the first military aircraft in history.[2] In 1911, the Italians used a variety of aircraft types in reconnaissance, photo-reconnaissance, and bombing roles during theItalo-Turkish War.[3] On October 23, 1911, an Italian pilot, Captain Carlo Piazza, flew over Turkish lines on the world's first aerialreconnaissance mission,[4] and on November 1, the first everaerial bomb was dropped bySottotenenteGiulio Gavotti, on Turkish troops inLibya, from an early model ofEtrich Taube aircraft.[5] TheTurks, lackinganti-aircraft weapons, were the first to shoot down anairplane byrifle fire.[6]
The earliest military role filled by aircraft wasreconnaissance, however, by the end ofWorld War I, military aviation had rapidly embraced many specialized roles, such as artillery spotting, air superiority, bombing, ground attack, and anti-submarine patrols. Technological improvements were made at a frenzied pace, and the firstall-metal cantilevered airplanes were going into service as the war ended.
Between the majorworld wars incremental improvements made in many areas, especially powerplants,aerodynamics, structures, and weapons, led to an even more rapid advance in aircraft technology during World War II, with large performance increases and the introduction of aircraft into new roles, includingAirborne Early Warning,electronic warfare,weather reconnaissance, and flying lifeboats. Great Britain used aircraft to suppress revolts throughout the Empire during theinterwar period and introduced the firstmilitary transports, which revolutionizedlogistics, allowing troops and supplies to be quickly delivered over vastly greater distances.
While they first appeared during World War I, ground attack aircraft didn't provide a decisive contribution until the Germans introducedBlitzkrieg during theInvasion of Poland andBattle of France, where aircraft functioned as mobile flying artillery to quickly disrupt defensive formations. The Allies would later use rocket-equipped fighters in the same role, immobilizing German armored divisions during theBattle of Normandy and afterwards. World War I also saw the creation of the first strategic bomber units, however, they wouldn't be tested until theSpanish Civil War where the perceived effects of mass bombardment would encourage their widespread use during World War II.Carrier aviation also first appeared during World War I, and likewise came to play a major role during World War II, with most major navies recognizing the aircraft carrier's advantages over thebattleship and devoting massive resources to the building of new carriers.
During World War II,U-boats threatened the ability of theAllies to transport troops and war materiel to Europe, spurring the development of very long rangeMaritime patrol aircraft, whose capability of independently detecting and destroying submerged submarines was greatly increased with new detection systems, includingsonobuoys,Leigh Lights, andradar, along with better weapons includinghoming torpedoes and improveddepth charges. This played a major role in winning theBattle of the Atlantic. Aircraft also played a much expanded role, with many notable engagements being decided solely through the use of military aircraft, such as theBattle of Britain or theattack on Pearl Harbor, and the conclusion of thePacific War against Japan was marked by two lone aircraft dropping theatomic bombs,devastating the cities ofHiroshima andNagasaki. The introduction of thejet engine,radar, earlymissiles,helicopters, andcomputers are World War II advancements which are felt to the present day.
Post World War II, the development of military aviation was spurred by theCold War stand-off between the super-powers. Thehelicopter appeared late in World War II and matured into an indispensable part of military aviation, transporting troops and providing expanded anti-submarine capabilities to smaller warships, negating the need for large numbers of small carriers. The need to out-perform opponents pushed new technology and aircraft developments in theU.S.S.R. and theUnited States, among others, and theKorean War and theVietnam War tested the resulting designs. Incredible advances in electronics were made, starting with the first electronic computers during World War II and steadily expanding from its original role of cryptography into communications, data processing, reconnaissance, remotely piloted aircraft, and many other roles until it has become an integral aspect of modern warfare.In the early 1960s, missiles were expected to replace manned interceptors and the guns in other manned aircraft. They failed to live up to expectations assurface-to-air missiles lacked flexibility and were not as effective as manned interceptors, and fighters equipped only withair-to-air missiles had limited effectiveness against opposing aircraft which could avoid being hit. Missiles were also expensive, especially against low-value ground targets. The 1970s saw the return of the gun-armed fighter, and a greater emphasis on maneuverability. The 1980s through to the present day were characterized bystealth technology and other countermeasures.
Today, a country's military aviation forces are often the first line of defense against an attack, or the first forces to attack the enemy, and effective military aviation forces (or lack thereof) have proved decisive in several recent conflicts such as theGulf War.
Airborne Early Warning provides advance warning of enemy activities to reduce the chance of being surprised. Many also have command functions that allow them to direct or vector friendly fighters onto incoming bogeys.
Bombers are capable of carrying large payloads of bombs and may sacrifice speed or maneuverability to maximize payload.
Experimental aircraft are designed to test advanced aerodynamic, structural, avionic, or propulsion concepts. These are usually well instrumented, with performance data telemetered on radio-frequency data links to ground stations located at the test ranges where they are flown.
Fighters establish and maintainair superiority. Speed and maneuverability are usually requirements and they carry a variety of weapons, including machine guns and guided missiles, to do this.
Forward Air Control directs close air support aircraft to ensure that the intended targets are nullified and friendly troops remain uninjured.
Ground-attack aircraft support ground troops by weakening or nullifying enemy defenses.Helicopter gunships and specialized ground attack aircraftattack enemy armor or troops and provideclose air support for ground troops.
Liaison aircraft are usually small, unarmed aircraft used to deliver messages and key personnel.
Maritime Patrol Aircraft are used to control sea-lanes, and are often equipped with special electronic gear for detecting and sinking submarines, such as sonar. They are also used for search and rescue missions and fisheries patrols.
Multirole combat aircraft combine the capabilities of both a fighter or a bomber, depending on what the mission calls for.
Reconnaissance aircraft andscout helicopters are primarily used to gather intelligence. They are equipped with photographic, infrared, radar, and television sensors. This role is increasingly being filled byspy satellites andunmanned aerial vehicles.
Refueling aircraft are used to refuel fighters and reconnaissance aircraft, extending mission reach and flying range. These aircraft include but are not limited to the KC-135, KC-46, KC-767, A310 MRTT, and the KC-130J. These aircraft are a part of many countries' militant assets.[7]
Training aircraft are used to train recruits to fly aircraft and to provide additional training for specialized roles such as in air combat.
Transport aircraft transport troops and supplies. Cargo can be on pallets for quick unloading. Cargo, and personnel may also be discharged from flying aircraft onparachutes. Also included in this category are aerial tankers, which can refuel other aircraft whilein flight.Helicopters andgliders can transport troops and supplies to areas where other aircraft would be unable to land.
An air force is thebranch of a nation's armed forces that is responsible foraerial warfare as distinct from thearmy,navy, or other branches. Most nations either maintain an air force or, in the case of smaller and less well-developed countries, an air wing (seeList of air forces). Air forces are usually tasked with the air defense of a country, as well as strategic bombing, interdiction, close air support, intelligence gathering, battlespace management, transport functions, and providing services to civil government agencies. Air force operations may also include space-based operations such as reconnaissance or satellite operations.
Other branches of a nation's armed forces may use aviation (naval aviation andarmy aviation), in addition to or instead of, a dedicated air force. In some cases, this includescoast guard services that are also an armed service, as well asgendarmeries and equivalent forces.
