Meet the undisputed king of winged fighters, the F-15 Eagle. For decades, it's been the U.S. Air Force's weapon of choice when there's any real chance of air-to-air combat, with an undefeated record since its first combat kill in 1979. We reveal how this sleek, powerful jet overcame its skeptics to dominate the skies. Then we explore how it revolutionized the aviation world through rare footage and captivating stories from the pilots who flew into danger aboard this remarkable and resilient aircraft.
Highly maneuverable, heavily armed, and devastatingly powerful, the U.S. Army's AH-64 Apache is one of the most trusted and lethal weapons in the sky. Called "Black Death" by her foes, she's cast a feared shadow over the battlefield, but this modern chopper was nearly scrapped before ever seeing action. Discover the inside story of the world's premier attack helicopter, from its controversial beginnings, rife with technical challenges and tragic failures, to its remarkable triumphs against enemy forces.
The story of the U.S. Marine's V-22 Osprey is one of transformation. It can convert from helicopter to plane, and back again. But what led to its invention? And how did it survive more than two decades of political turmoil and media scrutiny? Join us as we look back on this historic tiltrotor's tumultuous history. We detail how it escaped the political chopping block, how it built its reputation in battles and on humanitarian rescue efforts, and how it ultimately transformed the landscape of military aviation forever.
The A-10 Thunderbolt II was made for durability and power. With seeming indestructibility, it can eliminate armored vehicles, tanks, and even buildings with remarkable accuracy, all the while protecting American troops on the ground. Over the decades, it has repeatedly proved its worth, not only on the battlefield but in the eyes of its toughest critic: the U.S. Air Force. Discover the story of the ugly duckling affectionately named "Warthog," and see how this clunky but robust fighter continually out-flies and out-guns its competitors.
What they do is untraceable and highly classified. Instead of utilizing bullets and bombs, they use force and frequency. This is the story of the Prowler, the U.S. Navy's electronic warrior, and its leading counterpart, the Growler. These aircraft are the first line of attack, able to locate, jam, and destroy enemy radar, giving fighter planes more time to complete their missions. With the capability to fight in the electromagnetic spectrum, these Air Warriors have an advantage in the new age of defense.
For decades, the Black Hawk has played a role in nearly every American conflict and is used all over the globe. But how did the UH-60 become the Army's go-to bird? This is the inside story of how the military workhorse got off the ground and became a multi-mission lifesaver. See how its pilots and engineers learned from setbacks and tragedies and expanded Black Hawk's capabilities to improve getting soldiers into and out of the heat of the battle.
The C-17 Globemaster III is the Air Force's favorite heavy hauler, a flying warehouse that has stood tall against the mightiest of enemies for decades. Strangely, some of its toughest battles were fought right in America, where critics in Congress nearly scrapped the big gray beast before it even left the ground. This is the story of how the C-17 flew through all opposition to prove it could pull its weight in any situation, as told by the men and women who flew the "Moose" into and out of danger in Eastern Europe, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
Power. Strength. Precision. The CH-47 Chinook is not the most glamorous aircraft in the military's inventory, but it's been the Army's go-to helicopter for lifting heavy cargo for decades. The Chinook has proven its worth in every notable conflict since Vietnam, but to live through changing war zones, the aging chopper has needed to learn new tricks. Explore how the Army's oldest heavy hauler evolved, from its birth after the Korean War to its triumphant performances in Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and beyond.
Drones: they watch, analyze, even kill without ever risking a pilot's life. These unmanned aerial vehicles can be flown from anywhere on the globe and can get into places never before dreamed. They are widely used by military and civilians alike and can be seen almost everywhere, but exactly where, when, and how did these flying robots come to be? Join us as we follow drones over war zones, wildfires, and into aviation history as we detail their meteoric rise from yesterday's obscure wonder to today's global obsession.
It's fast, it's acrobatic, and it's built to get in your face before you even know it's there. The F-16 Fighting Falcon is the lightest fighter in the Air Force inventory, and ushered in a new breed of dogfighter. Witness its origins during the Vietnam War, as the U.S. military raced to create a fighter that could hold its own against the Russian's MiG. Then see how it evolved over the decades, adapted in order to stay relevant, and continued to soar to become the undisputed king of the multirole fighters.
The B-52 Stratofortress is affectionately known as the B.U.F.F., or Big, Ugly, Fat Fellow. Whatever you call it, the B-52 is one imposing beast of a bomber, stretching 159 feet, capable of flying nearly 9,000 miles in a single trip, and able to carry up to 70,000 pounds of weapons at a time. Join us as we crown the Air Force's longest serving heavyweight champ, a global reach aircraft that has, for more than a half a century, led the way in every major U.S. bombing campaign, from Korea to Vietnam to Iraq and beyond.
With its long-distance range and highflying dogfighting abilities, the P-51 Mustang was designed to dominate the skies and help end World War II. And it did. Take flight on an aircraft that symbolized the power and romance of the fighter, a plane that continues to stun and amaze today. We track the history of this nimble, robust Air Warrior, from its international origins to the challenges it overcame in the battle for air superiority over Europe, captured through compelling firsthand testimony and rarely seen combat footage.
It's sleek, powerful, fast, and innovative, with the grace of a chopper and the knockout punch of a fighter jet. The Harrier is the world's most famous short takeoff/vertical landing jet and the Marines' go-to aircraft for close-air support. But despite all of its amazing capabilities, the Harrier has sparked controversy over the years and has been forced to prove itself time and time again. Discover its remarkable story, as told by the men and women who maintain, fly, and fight with this icon of aviation.
Quite simply, the KC-135 Stratotanker is the backbone of American air power. This aerial refueler has allowed America's military aircraft to reach across the globe for the past 60 years, carrying up to 200,000 pounds of fuel with a transfer rate of 1,000 gallons per minute. Join us as we celebrate an aircraft that's always on call, always ready to adapt to unexpected situations, and always carrying enough fuel to feed thirsty U.S. fighter jets and keep them flying around the clock.
Over the last half century, the U-2 Dragon Lady has become one of the most reliable aerial reconnaissance platforms in the sky today. But its history has been turbulent, marked by Cold War scandals that sent relations with the Soviet Union into a nosedive. This spy plane was so secret, it was commissioned not by the Air Force, but by the CIA. See how this plane and its pilots have been pushed to the limit in order to stay off of enemy radar and save the lives of soldiers around the world.
The AC-130 is a heavyweight in a class of its own. The massive gunship brings unparalleled cover for troops on the ground and sheer force to enemy skies, day and night. With its revolutionary side-firing design, the AC-130 revolutionized close air support in the 1960s, but was nearly shelved after its weakness was exposed during Operation Desert Storm. Join us as we show how the latest generation of the plane provides further protection to ground troops as we examine the rise, fall, and rebirth of this legendary aircraft.
The F6F Hellcat was built for one reason: to take on the striking force of Japan's Imperial Navy and its premier dogfighter, the Mitsubishi A6M Zero. This is the inside story of how the U.S. Navy, bruised and battered in the Pacific, tasked the engineers at Grumman's to upgrade their current fighters into faster, more agile, and unshakeable warplanes. Witness its creation and impact in the battles of the Philippine Sea and Leyte Gulf, which helped turn the tide of war in the Allies' favor.
It's called Double Ugly, the Rhino, and MiG Killer, but to the Navy, Air Force, Marines, and even NASA, the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom is known for being one of the greatest frontline fighters of all time. Witness the remarkable story of an aircraft that was built for the Cold War, chased rockets to advance the Space Race, and transformed itself to serve in Vietnam and Iraq. It's a tale that spans six decades, beginning with a supersonic bang and ending in a blaze of glory.
In modern warfare, those who remain hidden in the skies gain a clear advantage, and there is no spy plane as undetectable as the F-22 Raptor. Get the inside story of how this war machine became the Air Force's premier stealth fighter, from taking on ISIS over the skies of Syria to chasing mysterious bombers over the Alaskan border. Combat footage of the F-22 and its predecessors plus interviews with pilots provide a rare look at this fast, powerful, and sneaky warrior.
The OV-10 Bronco is the Swiss Army Knife of military aviation, faster than a helicopter, more maneuverable than a jet, and able to provide optimal support for troops on the ground in the most difficult of environments. Follow the journey of this light attack aircraft, from its humble origins five decades ago in the garage of two Marines to its heroic missions in Vietnam. Then see how a disastrous role in Desert Storm nearly grounded the warbird for good until it got a shot at redemption two decades later against ISIS.
For over five decades, the Russian MiG aircraft has been American airpower's fiercest rival, taking on U.S. fighter jets in Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq. But it first took flight against a common enemy: Nazi Germany. Follow the evolution of this quick, durable, and powerful menace in the skies, from its shaky start in the Second World War to its recent and deadly incarnations. See how its ongoing battle with the U.S. for air superiority has compelled both nations to develop better tactics, training, and aircraft.
It was one of the most unique and deadly warplanes of World War II, with devastating agility and unmatched speeds of over 400 mph. But before the P-38 Lightning seized control of the air from the Japanese and the Germans, some of its pilots were forced to learn on the job. Follow its dogfighting journey, from Alaska to Africa and from Berlin to Tokyo, as the Lightning earned its name, blazing into battle and delivering a killer strike into the hearts of its enemies.
The Supermarine Spitfire is one of the greatest air-to-air fighters in history, entering into combat over the skies of Dunkirk, London, and Malta when Britain needed it most. But before earning its reputation as the defense of the free world, the Spitfire experienced its share of turbulence against the mighty Luftwaffe. Thanks to a radical idea for an elliptical-shaped wing, a Rolls Royce engine, and ace pilots, this is the story of how it ultimately prevailed and helped free the world of tyranny.
The Japanese's A6M Zero was the most feared airplane at the beginning of World War II, designed to cause death and destruction on an incredible scale. With the legendary Zero leading the charge, the Imperial Japanese Navy dominated the Pacific, from Pearl Harbor to Wake Island to the Philippines. To have a shot of winning the war, the U.S. Navy needed to somehow beat this fast, nimble, and lightweight killer. Their solution: exploit the Zero's flaws by pitting its agility against the muscle of the F4U Corsair.
There are few wartime conflicts as dramatic or as breathtaking as a dogfight. Two planes chasing and dodging each other at supersonic speeds. The stakes: life or death. Witness some of the most spectacular battles in the air, from World War II to Vietnam to Desert Storm. We celebrate both the remarkable aircraft involved, including the F-15 Eagle, the F-4 Phantom, the F6F Hellcat, and the P-38 Lightning, and give firsthand accounts from some of the bold fighter pilots who looked death in the face and won.
They're sleek and steadfast, high-tech and high-capacity, dynamic and deadly. No matter the mission, from attack to rescue to disaster relief, these military helicopters always rise to the challenge. Get an up-close, inside look at the AH-64 Apache, UH-60 Black Hawk, CH-47 Chinook, and V-22 Osprey as we examine the machines and their most memorable missions. Through rare footage and interviews with the pilots who flew these choppers into danger, we show what gives these air warriors the ability to get the job done time and again.
Close air support planes are the guardian angels of American ground troops, pro-tecting soldiers with precision firepower. We look at the military's greatest fighters, bombers, and attack aircraft over the last 60 years, from the AV-8B Harrier, the world's most famous vertical/short takeoff and landing fighter jet, to the B-52 Stratofortress, the Air Force's go-to bomber, to the A-10 Thunderbolt, aka, the "Warthog." We also look back on some of the most thrilling gunship missions, saving lives and winning wars in hotspots across the globe.
The F-18 has been the backbone of U.S. Navy carrier operations since it was first introduced in the 1980s. It's built to pack a one-two punch as both a fighter and an attack aircraft, capable of dominating both the skies and the battlefield. We examine its origins, beginning in 1973, when the Navy looked to update its aging fighters, including the F-4 Phantom. We then follow the F-18 Hornet and Super Hornet on their most thrilling and perilous missions, from the baptism by fire in Desert Storm to recent bombing campaigns against ISIS.
The inside story of the F-86 Sabre, one of America's first fighter jets, and its epic battles against the Soviet MiG jet during the Korean War and beyond.
The B-29 Superfortress changed the face of war. It dropped the bomb on Hiroshima, but was also the first plane with a pressurised cabin and the first that could fly more than 3,000 miles.
The Hawker Hurricane, regarded by some as the overlooked underdog of British fighter planes. Fast and versatile, the dogfighter doubled as a bomber and ground support aircraft in every theatre of the Second World War.
Discover the story or the Nazi fighter that was loved by some, hated by others, but recognized by all as revolutionary.
The B-24 was America's go-to heavy bomber in the early years of World War II, able to go faster, farther, and carry a larger payload than its predecessor, the B-17. And as the most mass-produced bomber in history, it was able to attack in large numbers, overwhelming the enemy and earning its name: the Liberator. Discover how the B-24 came into existence and answered the U.S. military's desperate need for a long-range bomber. Then witness some of its key missions, flying time and again into the mouth of hell to take on Axis forces.
Inside stories of the most iconic military aircraft from WWII.
Inside stories of the most iconic military aircraft from the Cold War.
Inside stories of the most iconic military aircraft of the 21st century.
Learn how the British bomber Lancaster brought distinct power and strength against Nazi Germany and was pivotal to the Allied victory in World War II.
Dive deep into the evolution and operational history of the Cold War-era Panavia Tornado bomber, developed collaboratively by Italy, the U.K., and West Germany.
Learn the history of the F-111 bomber jet, a Vietnam-era flop that turned that turned into an essential piece of U.S. military hardware in Libya and the Gulf War.
Learn how the P-47 Thunderbolt fighter jet played a pivotal role in carrying the Allies to victory in World War II and the Pacific War.
Go inside the cockpit of the nimble Little Bird, a small but mighty attack helicopter on the front lines of many U.S. military operations, including the Vietnam War, Iraq War and many more.
Lockheed's C-5 Galaxy transport aircraft stands out for its massive size and aid provided to the American military during war, but its peacetime contributions truly set it apart.
The true story of the F-14 Tomcat, the military aircraft made famous in “Top Gun,” and how it served as the Navy’s top carrier fighter for a generation.
A look at the amphibious aircraft Catalina and the many roles it served during WWII, from patrol bomber to search-and-rescue aircraft.
The history of the B-17 reveals how the aircraft evolved into the USAF’s most lethal bomber in World War II’s European and Pacific campaigns. The Women Airforce Service Pilots organization transported Flying Fortresses, which delivered food to the German-occupied Netherlands in Operation Chowhound in the last days of the war.
The story of the de Havilland Mosquito, the wooden RAF aircraft that acted as a bomber, fighter, and reconnaissance plane during World War II.
Despite its early reputation for being unsafe, engineers evolved the F-100 Super Sabre into a supersonic powerhouse that carried out daily attack missions throughout the Vietnam War.
Military experts and veterans discuss the history of the Rockwell B-1 Lancer, first conceived as a nuclear bomber during the Cold War, and its evolving wartime roles in the 1990s and 2000s.
The inside story of Britain's flagship super jet of the Cold War era, the Hawker Hunter, and its most thrilling flights during the late 20th century.
Originally designed as a civilian passenger airliner, the C-47 becomes a durable military workhorse, delivering paratroopers behind enemy lines on D-Day, rescuing injured soldiers and more
Aviation historians and veterans detail how the high-speed dives and pinpoint accuracy of the Junkers Ju-87 Stukas became a Nazi terror weapon and symbol of German power during World War II.
Experts discuss the history of the AH-1 Cobra, an agile attack helicopter designed for combat in the Vietnam War and later used for dangerous ground support missions in the Iraq War.
