aircraft

An aircraft represents a vehicle that is able to gain lift and fly by countering the force of gravity. This can be achieved either by static or dynamic lift, or sometimes the downward thrust of a jet engine.


Aircraft can be categorized into civil and military, the latter including non-combat aircraft as well. Military aircraft are usually operated by armed services and can be either fixed wing (such as planes) or rotary-wing (such as helicopters). Non-combat military aircraft primarily perform supporting roles (including carrying equipment, supplies, etc) and may be armed for self-defense purposes. Combat aircraft are designed and equipped to destroy enemy targets. They can be broadly divided into fighters and bombers, with some performing mixed functions, like fighters-bombers and ground-attack aircraft.

A fighter aircraft is used mainly for engaging in air-to-air combat with another aircraft. For this purpose, fighters need to be small, fast and maneuverable. They are a key component in establishing air superiority and control over the battlefield, making the acquisition and maintenance fighter fleets an important part of the defense budgets of today's armed forces. Several international manufacturers of military aircraft parts provide support to the different government air forces around the world. This makes the military parts and components industry a significant contributor to the economy of numerous countries.

By contrast, a bomber aircraft is designed to disable ground targets, either by dropping bombs on them or by launching guided missiles at them. A distinction is made between strategic and tactical bombing. Strategic bombing seeks to weaken the enemy's war efforts by destroying supply bases, production units, shipyards or other resources. Strategic bombers operate at long-ranges and are usually able to carry an impressive arsenal. Tactical bombing targets military units and requires smaller, swifter aircraft that operate at short ranges and assist the efforts of ground or sea troops.

Civil aviation usually distinguishes between commercial and general aircraft types. The commercial category includes aircraft designed to carry passengers or cargo. The large passenger-carrying planes are usually referred to as airliners. General aviation is a broader term usually covering all types of aircraft used for any purposes other than military. This includes medical transports, business jets, emergency services, racers and many more.

You'll find bloggers talking about aircraft at sites like blogs.ei.columbia.edu and isu.edu.

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Original Technorati articles tagged “aircraft”

• in Finance
  Two Foreign Arms Deals for Boeing Cushion Future U.S. Defense Cuts
  Boeing won two deals with India and Taiwan this week that will help offset reductions in domestic arms spending.
  by Dagpotter / on Jun 11, 2011
• in Technology
  Twenty Six Hours Flight By Solar Powered Aircraft Marks New Heights
  At a top speed of 78 miles per hour, it is termed to be the longest test flight of a piloted, solar powered aircraft.
  by jaideepkhanduja / on Jul 9, 2010

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