Page 234 - NAVAL SCIENCE 3 TEXTBOOK

II Naval Aircraft and Missiles

In this ch<lptcr we will take a brief look at naval aircraft, their Fighters arc high-performance aircraft lIsed to gain air superi-
weapon systems, and guided missiles used in the U.S. Nay}'. ority. They may be used defensively as interceptors, offensively
Naval clircraft. like aircraft in general, fnll into three mam as escorts for bombers, or on ground suppor! missions. Some
groups: fLxcd-wing. rotary-wing. and lighter-than-air. Fixer/-willg can carry bombs Hnd other precision weapons for limited
airplanes have wings that are the primary lifting devices of the air- attack missions.
plane. Rotary-wil1g craft, primarily helicopters. have two or morc Patrol aircrafrare land-based, long-range llluitiengine planes
rotor blades that lift the ilircraft into the air. /.ighter-fha/Hlir craft, llsed mainly for antisubmarine patrol. They can detect, locate,
such as blimps, depend on casings filled with light gas, primarily and destroy submarines. They·can also escort surface COI1\,oys,
helium. to provide their lifting power. conduct photographic missions, and lay mines from the air.
Fixed-wing aircraft have many roles in the Nav)':
Electro/lie lI'm/are (El \') aircraft detect and jam enCI11}' radars
Attack plnnes <"Ire lIsed for low-level bombing, ground Slipport, to protect the strike group (attack and support aircraft) from
or nuclear strikes. They carry heavy payloads (fuel, bombs, being targeted by enemy missiles. guns, or interceptor aircraft.
and missiles) and Glil remain on station long enollgh to sup- Rec01llw;ssallce aircraft are aircraft that have been speciilll}'
port ground troops. configured to gather intelligence.

One of the newest military aircraft in the U.S. inventory is the V-22 Osprey, expected to fill the medium-lift needs of the Marine Corps for at least
the next decade. With the engines positioned as shown here, the aircraft can take off and land vertically. Once airborne, the engines rotate 90
degrees forward, converting the V-22 into a high-speed turboprop aircraft. (Mike Jones)

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