Lockheed | International Aviation HQ

F-16 vs F-35: The Future of The Air Force?…

5Dec

By Christopher HarrowNo Comments

Aircraft Compare

F-16 vs F-35: The Future of The Air Force?…

The F-35 is supposed to be the world's most advanced fighter jet. It is supposed to replace every other aircraft in a modern air force's fleet, including the F-16. This has caused many to wonder which is better- the F-16 and F-35? In recent years, the cost of the F-35 has skyrocketed, combined with several other issues regarding the F-35, has caused many to say that we should modify existing F-16 fleets rather than buy a relatively untested aircraft. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); F-16 vs F-35: What is a Fighter Jet? Today, the term "fighter jet" is used quite a lot. Mostly, it is used as a blanket term for military aircraft, both by the media and general public. However, this is not really true, at least not in a military sense, anyway. Th...

Lockheed JetStar: Lockheed’s Only Business Jet

28Nov

By Christopher Harrow4 Comments

Executive

Lockheed JetStar: Lockheed’s Only Business Jet

For much of its history, Lockheed, and its successor, Lockheed Martin, is/was known primarily for their military aircraft. However, The Lockheed JetStar was Lockheed's attempt to break into the corporate jet market. As one of the first business jets, the Lockheed JetStar was originally quite successful, selling 202 copies of the aircraft over the course of 19 years. Even as the aircraft approaches its sixtieth birthday, there are still a few flying! (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Development In the late 1950's, the USAF became interested in a small jet-powered aircraft that could be used as a basic trainer. On top of these trainer duties, it could be used to transport high ranking officers to and from the battlefield. As such, Lockheed desi...

29Aug

By Christopher HarrowNo Comments

History

Ben Rich: The Father of Stealth

Ben Rich was one of the greatest aircraft designers of his generation. During the Cold War, he designed some of the world's greatest designers, succeeding the infamous Kelly Johnson as head of Lockheed's Skunk Works. Due to his contributions, mostly to stealth aircraft, he is commonly referred to as the "Father of Stealth". Without him, there would arguably be no F-117, SR-71 or even the F-22! He is arguably the most important aircraft designer that you've never heard of! (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Before Lockheed Benjamin Robert Rich was born in Manila, Philippines on June 18 1925. He was the eldest of five children born to British-born lumber mill superintendent Isidore Rich and his wife Annie. Isidore Rich had moved to Manila dur...

22Aug

By Charles YongzhengNo Comments

Aircraft Compare

F-15 vs F-16: The Best US Fighter Jet?

Both the F-15 and F-16 are some of the best and most produced fighter jets in the world. Despite this, F-15s and F-16s have never fought one another directly, leading many avgeeks, generals to wonder: F-15 or F-16? The F-15 and F-16 are both fighter jets, serving in several different roles for several different militaries. Both F-15s and F-16s often serve alongside one another in different conflicts, often playing to their own strengths. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); F-15 vs F-16: What is a Fighter Jet? I know. I know. But before we can really compare the F-15 and F-16, we need to truly understand what a fighter jet is. A fighter jet is a jet powered aircraft (unlike other fighters like the P-51 Mustang or Spitfire). It is specifically de...

Lockheed L-1011 TriStar: Lockheed’s Most Advanced Aircraft Yet

19Aug

By Alexander PaskNo Comments

Aircraft Digest

Lockheed L-1011 TriStar: Lockheed’s Most Advanced Aircraft Yet

The Lockheed L-1011 TriStar was the most advanced aircraft of its time. Despite this, it was a massive failure that left Lockheed on the verge on bankruptcy. But why was this? At a time when jet aircraft had just become popular, with almost every airline using jets, the Lockheed L-1011 should've been a major success. However, several factors caused it to fail dramatically, here's why! (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Pre-L-1011 In 1952, British Aircraft manufacturer de Havilland released the first jet-powered airliner, the de Havilland Comet. Following this, Boeing released the 707 in 1958 and Douglas released the DC-8 in 1959. These jets had made piston-powered aircraft like the Boeing 377 and Lockheed Constellation irrelevant. However, by t...

Kelly Johnson: The Man Behind Lockheed Skunk Works

12Aug

By Alya KulikovaNo Comments

History

Kelly Johnson: The Man Behind Lockheed Skunk Works

Kelly Johnson is known for a lot of things. He was the lead designer on several of Lockheed's greatest aircraft in the Cold War, as well as being the first leader of Lockheed's infamous Skunk Works division. His work was instrumental in preventing a Soviet win during the Cold War. His work thrust the aviation industry several decades into the future, going from traveling only a couple of hundred miles per hour to several times the speed of sound! (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Before Lockheed Kelly Johnson was born on February 27 1910 in Ishpeming, Michigan, a remote mining town. His parents were Swedish immigrants from Malmo. His father, ran a construction company and his mother was a homemaker. He was one of seven children, as well as the...

Boeing 2707: The American Concorde You Never Flew on

1Aug

By Alexander PaskNo Comments

Aircraft Digest

Boeing 2707: The American Concorde You Never Flew on

For most avgeeks, the Concorde showed the pinnacle of commercial aircraft design. However, many don't realize that America had their own SST: The Boeing 2707. Had it been introduced, it would've arguably changed the industry forever. However, it was never introduced. Since then, it has been dubbed the "American Concorde" by the media. But why did you never get to fly on it? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Pre-Concorde Ever since Hans von Ohain and/or Frank Whittle invented the jet engine, and Chuck Yeager subsequently breaking the sound barrier. Aircraft manufacturers have been looking for a way to transport people supersonically. Following WWII, most major aircraft manufacturers had small-scale supersonic transport (SST) projects. However, ...

17Jun

By Alexander PaskNo Comments

History

History of Air Force One

Air Force One is perhaps the most famous presidential aircraft of all time. However, it didn't always exist, so why was it made and how has it evolved over time? Today we will find out! Air Force One isn't actually one aircraft, in fact it refers to any aircraft that is carrying the President of the United States. The aircraft's name has inspired several films, including Air Force One, starring Harrison Ford. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The First Although he wasn't in office when he first flew, former President Theodore Roosevelt was the first president to fly. He did this on October 11 1910, over a year after he left office. The first serving president to fly was actually Teddy Roosevelt's cousin, FDR. He flew on a specially reconfigu...

Lockheed YF-12: The Fastest Jet Fighter we Never Got…

25Dec

By Christopher HarrowNo Comments

Aircraft Digest

Lockheed YF-12: The Fastest Jet Fighter we Never Got…

The Lockheed YF-12 is the older brother to the more famous SR-71. Whilst both were used by both the USAF and NASA, they were both used for completely different things! However, whilst the SR-71 prospered, the YF-12 gained traction before slowly fading away. So why did the Lockheed YF-12 fail when all other Blackbird family members prospered? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Pre-YF-12 The late 1950's had seen not only the Korean War, but also the beginning of the Vietnam War. Whilst the conflict itself was the US's first real failure of the Cold War, it did yield a lot in terms of new aircraft requirements. Prior to this, the newly-formed USAF had been utilizing some of the first generation jet aircraft. These aircraft served in several differ...

Lockheed Constellation: Lockheed’s Most Successful Passenger Airliner

14Aug

By Christopher HarrowNo Comments

Aircraft Digest

Lockheed Constellation: Lockheed’s Most Successful Passenger Airliner

The Lockheed Constellation was Lockheed's most successful passenger airliner. When the "Connie" as it was nicknamed, was introduced, it was among the largest aircraft of its time. It was also one of Lockheed's most successful aircraft, being the most successful commercial aircraft. Due to this, the original Constellation inspired an entire family, some of whom are still flying today! (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Pre-Constellation Before the Lockheed Constellation was introduced, most airliners were incredibly slow and could only transport around 10 people at a time. The leading airliners at the time were the Boeing 247 and Lockheed Model 10 Electra. Due to this, airlines found it incredibly difficult to stay profitable, without governmen...