A kite is a tethered heavier-than-air or lighter-than-air craft with wing surfaces that react against the air to create lift and drag forces. A kite consists of wings, tethers and anchors. Kites often have a bridle and tail to guide the face of the kite so the wind can lift it. Some kite designs do not need a bridle; box kites can have a single attachment point. A kite may have fixed or moving anchors that can balance the kite. The name is derived from the kite , the hovering bird of prey.
151-601: The Saab 35 Draken ( IPA: [²drɑːkɛn] ; The Kite , ambiguous with The Dragon ) is a Swedish fighter-interceptor developed and manufactured by Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget ( SAAB ) between 1955 and 1974. Development of the Saab 35 Draken started in 1948 as the Swedish air force future replacement for the then also in development Saab 29 Tunnan dayfighter and Saab 32B Lansen night fighter . It featured an innovative but unproven double delta wing, which led to
302-417: A countermeasure pod named Kapsel KB with chaff and flare dispensers under the wings to increase its survivability. The aircraft had 4 primary hardpoints in total for external ordnance, 1 under each wing and 2 on the belly. For long range missions it was possible to mount up to 4 drop tanks on these hardpoints. For night missions it could carry an active infrared reconnaissance system of EG&G design in
453-527: A Korean general of Silla rallied his troops to defeat rebels by using flaming kites which also frightened the enemy. Russian chronicles mention Prince Oleg of Novgorod use of kites during the siege of Constantinople in 906: "and he crafted horses and men of paper, armed and gilded, and lifted them into the air over the city; the Greeks saw them and feared them". Walter de Milemete 's 1326 De nobilitatibus, sapientiis, et prudentiis regum treatise depicts
604-483: A Swedish developed afterburner (EBK67), which could deliver 77.3 kN of thrust when using its afterburner. Secondly, the David featured increased internal fuel capacity for longer range. It also featured two hardpoints on the belly to be able to mount two 500-liter external drop tanks for even longer range missions (compared to one 530-liter drop tank for the 35A, B and C). Despite having more fuel than its predecessors,
755-519: A Swedish developed afterburner. Two types of afterburners came to be used on the J 35A, resulting in two primary variants: The radar on the J 35As was a French Cyrano RA 423 radar from Thompson-CSF (Swedish designation PS-02/A) as the originally planned Swedish radar (PS-03) from LME hadn't been developed in time. The gunsight was an advanced gyro gunsight developed by Saab for both the Saab 32B and Saab 35A called S-6 (later named S-6B). It used data from
906-426: A broader dimension of time or space than do tactics; they provide the means by which tactical successes are exploited to achieve strategic and operational objectives. Tactical Level Command and Control is where individual battles and engagements are fought. The tactical level of war deals with how forces are employed, and the specifics of how engagements are conducted and targets attacked. The goal of tactical level C2
1057-438: A cleanup plan for drinking water around Tucson, Arizona after the region's groundwater was contaminated by PFAS runoff from nearby Air Force bases. The United States Air Force has been involved in many wars, conflicts and operations using military air operations. The USAF possesses the lineage and heritage of its predecessor organizations, which played a pivotal role in U.S. military operations since 1907: In addition since
1208-458: A commander in planning, directing, coordinating, and controlling forces and operations in the accomplishment of the mission" (JP 1-02). This core function includes all of the C2-related capabilities and activities associated with air, cyberspace, nuclear, and agile combat support operations to achieve strategic, operational, and tactical objectives. At the strategic level command and control,
1359-468: A focus on historical kites, preserving the country's kite traditions. Kite flying is popular in many Asian countries, where it often takes the form of " kite fighting ", in which participants try to snag each other's kites or cut other kites down. Fighter kites are usually small, flattened diamond-shaped kites made of paper and bamboo. Tails are not used on fighter kites so that agility and maneuverability are not compromised. In Afghanistan , kite flying
1510-894: A force multiplier. It allows air assets to more rapidly reach any trouble spot around the world with less dependence on forward staging bases or overflight/landing clearances. Air refueling significantly expands the options available to a commander by increasing the range, payload, persistence, and flexibility of receiver aircraft. Aeromedical evacuation is "the movement of patients under medical supervision to and between medical treatment facilities by air transportation" (JP 1-02). JP 4-02, Health Service Support, further defines it as "the fixed wing movement of regulated casualties to and between medical treatment facilities, using organic and/or contracted mobility airframes, with aircrew trained explicitly for this mission." Aeromedical evacuation forces can operate as far forward as fixed-wing aircraft are able to conduct airland operations. Global precision attack
1661-496: A further 60 J 35A being ordered on February 7, 1958. The initial 40 aircraft delivered in 1960 were delivered without a radar and gunsight. This was corrected in 1961 and 65 Adam were equipped with radar and gunsight in the end. 25 Adam were converted to Saab 35C unarmed two-seat trainers between April 1961 to August 1962. The Saab 35A was fitted with a license produced Rolls-Royce Avon Mk.48A (Avon 200 series) engine (Swedish designation RM6BS) from SFA (today Volvo Aero ) fitted with
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#17327801627961812-509: A further 60 aircraft, meant to be converted to S 35B2 (S 35E) reconnaissance aircraft, being planned to be ordered in November 1960. In the end, only 30 Davids (all of series 1) was converted to S 35E standard, having first served as a fighter aircraft between May 1963 and January 1964. Due to manufacturing issues, delivery delays occurred for some J 35D subsystems, resulting in that the two initial J 35D series being delivered with only parts of
1963-613: A group of knights flying kite laden with a black-powder filled firebomb over the wall of city. Kites were also used by Admiral Yi of the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910) of Korea. During the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–1598) , Admiral Yi commanded his navy using kites. His kites had specific markings directing his fleet to perform various orders. In the modern era the British Army used kites to haul human lookouts into
2114-628: A lot of wind, which may be not always possible with heavy equipment and a ground conductor. It must be taken into account during experiments, that a conductor carried by a kite can lead to high voltage toward ground, which can endanger people and equipment, if suitable precautions (grounding through resistors or a parallel resonant circuit tuned to transmission frequency) are not taken. Kites can be used to carry light effects such as lightsticks or battery powered lights. Kites can be used to pull people and vehicles downwind. Efficient foil-type kites such as power kites can also be used to sail upwind under
2265-518: A massive airborne celebration on Easter Monday especially in Georgetown, the capital, and other coastal areas. The history of the practice is not entirely clear but given that Easter is a Christian festival, it is said that kite flying is symbolic of the Risen Lord. Moore describes the phenomenon in the 19th century as follows: US Air Force The United States Air Force ( USAF ) is
2416-643: A method of electricity generation when windmills are impractical. Several companies have introduced self-contained crates and shipping containers that provide an alternative to gas-powered generators for remote locations. Such systems use a combination of autonomous, self-launching kites for generation and batteries to store excess power for when winds are low or when otherwise draw exceeds supply. Some designs are tethered to long lines to reach high altitude winds which are always present, even when ground level winds are unavailable or insufficient. Underwater kites are now being developed to harvest renewable power from
2567-523: A nation state, or non-state/transnational actor. The Air Force maintains and presents credible deterrent capabilities through successful visible demonstrations and exercises that assure allies, dissuade proliferation, deter potential adversaries from actions that threaten US national security or the populations, and deploy military forces of the US, its allies, and friends. Nuclear strike is the ability of nuclear forces to rapidly and accurately strike targets which
2718-598: A need for a supersonic fighter that could intercept bombers at high altitude as well as engage other fighters. During September 1949, the Swedish Air Force, via the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration , released its recently formulated requirement for a cutting-edge interceptor aircraft that was envisioned to be capable of attacking hostile bomber aircraft in the transonic speed range. The original requirement specified
2869-453: A new Saab-built S-7 collision-course gunsight and fire-control radar, and integration with Sweden's STRIL 60 air defence control network. A total of 651 Drakens were manufactured by Saab. Sweden's fleet of Drakens comprised a total of six different versions, while two additional models of the Draken were offered to prospective export customers. The final model of the Draken to be produced was
3020-494: A pod fitted to a belly hardpoint. Fighter version designated J 35F ( Filip ). Delivered between 1965 and 1972, total production: 230. This variant had improved electronics and avionics, e.g. integrated radar, aim and missile systems, introducing the capability to use semi-active radar homing (SARH) and infrared homing (IR) versions of the Hughes Falcon missile, rb 27 and rb 28 respectively, originally intended for
3171-405: A precondition" (Annex 3–70, Strategic Attack). Air Interdiction is defined as "air operations conducted to divert, disrupt, delay, or destroy the enemy's military potential before it can be brought to bear effectively against friendly forces, or to otherwise achieve JFC objectives. Air Interdiction is conducted at such distance from friendly forces that detailed integration of each air mission with
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#17327801627963322-494: A rapid cessation of hostilities. Post-conflict, regeneration of a credible nuclear deterrent capability will deter further aggression. The Air Force may present a credible force posture in either the Continental United States , within a theater of operations, or both to effectively deter the range of potential adversaries envisioned in the 21st century. This requires the ability to engage targets globally using
3473-767: A sharp reduction in flight hours for crew training since 2005 and the Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower and Personnel directing Airmen's Time Assessments. On 5 June 2008, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates accepted the resignations of both the Secretary of the Air Force , Michael Wynne , and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force , General T. Michael Moseley . In his decision to fire both men Gates cited "systemic issues associated with... declining Air Force nuclear mission focus and performance". Left unmentioned by Gates
3624-452: A strong focus on the improvement of Basic Military Training (BMT) for enlisted personnel. While the intense training has become longer, it also has shifted to include a deployment phase. This deployment phase, now called the BEAST, places the trainees in a simulated combat environment that they may experience once they deploy. While the trainees do tackle the massive obstacle courses along with
3775-419: A tailplane, resulting in a clean, simple overall design. The leading edge of the inner wing was swept back 80° for high-speed performance, and the outer wing 60° for good performance at low speeds. The cockpit of the Draken featured mostly Swedish-sourced instrumentation. Successive models introduced various improvements to the cockpit fittings, such as the revised canopy and new avionics. For export customers,
3926-541: A team of more than 500 technicians, constructed a small test aircraft to explore the behaviour of the new wing. A sub-scale test aircraft constructed in Sweden, the Saab 210 (formally flygplan 210 , "aircraft 210"), unofficially nicknamed "Lilldraken" (the little dragon), comprised a test of the double delta wing, and performed its first flight on January 21, 1952. Results produced by these test flights led to an order for three full-size Draken prototypes. On October 25, 1955,
4077-404: A top speed of Mach 1.4 to 1.5, but this was revised upwards in 1956 to Mach 1.7 to 1.8 and then again in 1959 to Mach 2.0. It had to be flown by a single pilot, yet be capable of conducting combat operations under all weather conditions, night or day, while operating from relatively austere airstrips, carrying all equipment needed to neutralize modern jet bombers. Although other interceptors like
4228-422: A variety of bombs and rockets, along with provisions for the installation of a pair of 30 mm cannons, located within each of the inboard wing panels. In place of the cannons, additional fuel tanks could be fitted in the same space. For aerial reconnaissance missions, a variety of camera pods could be carried underneath the fuselage. Due to a lack of knowledge regarding the then historically unproven design of
4379-510: A variety of methods; therefore, the Air Force should possess the ability to induct, train, assign, educate and exercise individuals and units to rapidly and effectively execute missions that support US NDO objectives. Finally, the Air Force regularly exercises and evaluates all aspects of nuclear operations to ensure high levels of performance. Nuclear surety ensures the safety, security and effectiveness of nuclear operations. Because of their political and military importance, destructive power, and
4530-468: A very stable kite at Kew Observatory as early as 1847 that was trialled for the purpose of supporting self-registering meteorological instruments at height. Kites can be used for radio purposes, by kites carrying antennas for MF , LF or VLF -transmitters. This method was used for the reception station of the first transatlantic transmission by Marconi . Captive balloons may be more convenient for such experiments, because kite-carried antennas require
4681-487: A weight-saving measure, the hydraulic systems would operate at a line pressure of 210 kp /cm (20.6 MPa ), which would be greater than double the pressure used in the earlier Saab 29 Tunnan . Propulsion was provided by a single Svenska Flygmotor RM6B/C turbojet engine, a licence-built model of the Rolls-Royce Avon 200/300 engine (also known as Avon Mk.48A and Mk.60). A ram turbine , positioned under
Saab 35 Draken - Misplaced Pages Continue
4832-459: Is "the acquisition of information and the provision of this information to processing elements" (JP 2-01). It provides the ability to obtain required information to satisfy intelligence needs (via use of sources and methods in all domains). Collection activities span the Range of Military Operations (ROMO). Processing and exploitation is "the conversion of collected information into forms suitable to
4983-417: Is "the employment of limited offensive action and counterattacks to deny a contested area or position to the enemy" (JP 1-02). It includes both ballistic missile defense and airborne threat defense and encompasses point defense, area defense, and high-value airborne asset defense. Passive defense is "measures taken to reduce the probability of and to minimize the effects of damage caused by hostile action without
5134-427: Is a fighter aircraft, equipped with a distinctive double delta wing. According to Flight International, it is difficult to differentiate between the fuselage and the wing. The design anticipates what would later be known as a ‘blended wing-body’. The fuselage has a circular section, and the inboard portion of the wing is a large- chord surface which extended almost to the engine intakes. It was possible to dispense with
5285-596: Is a popular game, and is known in Dari as Gudiparan Bazi . Some kite fighters pass their strings through a mixture of ground glass powder and glue, which is legal. The resulting strings are very abrasive and can sever the competitor's strings more easily. The abrasive strings can also injure people. During the Taliban rule in Afghanistan, kite flying was banned, among various other recreations. In Pakistan , kite flying
5436-540: Is a popular ritual, especially among the country's youth, and is depicted in the 2007 film The Kite Runner (although that story is based in neighboring Afghanistan ). Kites and strings are a big business in the country and several different types of string are used, including glass-coated, metal, and tandi. Kite flying was banned in Punjab, India due to more than one motorcyclist death caused by glass-coated or metal kite strings. Kup, Patang, Guda, and Nakhlaoo are some of
5587-414: Is calles as windy. It is during this month that most people, especially the young ones would fly kites. In Guyana , kites are flown at Easter, an activity in which all ethnic and religious groups participate. Kites are generally not flown at any other time of year. Kites start appearing in the sky in the weeks leading up to Easter and school children are taken to parks for the activity. It all culminates in
5738-425: Is defined as "all the defensive measures designed to detect, identify, intercept, and destroy or negate enemy forces attempting to penetrate or attack through friendly airspace" (JP 1-02). In concert with OCA operations, a major goal of DCA operations is to provide an area from which forces can operate, secure from air and missile threats. The DCA mission comprises both active and passive defense measures. Active defense
5889-534: Is defined as "offensive operations to destroy, disrupt, or neutralize enemy aircraft, missiles, launch platforms, and their supporting structures and systems both before and after launch, but as close to their source as possible" (JP 1-02). OCA is the preferred method of countering air and missile threats since it attempts to defeat the enemy closer to its source and typically enjoys the initiative. OCA comprises attack operations, sweep, escort, and suppression/destruction of enemy air defense. Defensive Counter-Air (DCA)
6040-611: Is held every year before Uttarayan for three days in Vadodara , Surat and Ahmedabad . Kites have been flown in China since ancient times. Weifang is home to the largest kite museum in the world. It also hosts an annual international kite festival on the large salt flats south of the city. There are several kite museums in Japan, UK, Malaysia , Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand and the USA. In
6191-475: Is more popular in time of Dashain . Kites are very popular in India , with the states of Gujarat, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab notable for their kite fighting festivals. Highly maneuverable single-string paper and bamboo kites are flown from the rooftops while using line friction in an attempt to cut each other's kite lines, either by letting the cutting line loose at high speed or by pulling
Saab 35 Draken - Misplaced Pages Continue
6342-402: Is often known as Gudi-Bazi or Patang-bazi. Although kite flying is a popular ritual for the celebration of spring festival known as Jashn-e-Baharaan (lit. Spring Festival) or Basant , kites are flown throughout the year. Kite fighting is a very popular pastime all around Pakistan, but mostly in urban centers across the country (especially Lahore ). The kite fights are at their highest during
6493-486: Is the ability to hold at risk or strike rapidly and persistently, with a wide range of munitions, any target and to create swift, decisive, and precise effects across multiple domains. Strategic attack is defined as "offensive action specifically selected to achieve national strategic objectives. These attacks seek to weaken the adversary's ability or will to engage in conflict, and may achieve strategic objectives without necessarily having to achieve operational objectives as
6644-583: Is the cornerstone of the credibility of the NDO mission. Positive nuclear command, control, communications; effective nuclear weapons security; and robust combat support are essential to the overall NDO function. Command and control is "the exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commander over assigned and attached forces in the accomplishment of the mission. Command and control functions are performed through an arrangement of personnel, equipment, communications, facilities, and procedures employed by
6795-684: Is to achieve commander's intent and desired effects by gaining and keeping offensive initiative. The origins of the United States Air Force can be traced back to the Union Army Balloon Corps of the American Civil War . The Union Balloon Corps, established by aeronaut Thaddeus S. C. Lowe , provided aerial reconnaissance for the Union Army . This early use of balloons for military purposes marked
6946-429: Is to provide what the Air Force states as global vigilance, global reach, and global power. Air superiority is "that degree of dominance in the air battle of one force over another which permits the conduct of operations by the former and its related land, sea, air, and special operations forces at a given time and place without prohibitive interference by the opposing force" (JP 1-02). Offensive Counter-Air (OCA)
7097-689: The Bomber Mafia ), followed by fighters ( Fighter Mafia ). In response to a 2007 United States Air Force nuclear weapons incident , Secretary of Defense Robert Gates accepted in June 2009 the resignations of Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force General T. Michael Moseley . Moseley's successor, General Norton A. Schwartz , a former airlift and special operations pilot,
7248-513: The Cobra maneuver . It was also one of the first Western-European-built aircraft to exceed Mach 2 in level flight, reaching it on January 14, 1960. The Draken functioned as an effective supersonic fighter aircraft of the Cold War period, although it was never used in conflict. Even though the type was designed and intended as an interceptor , it was considered to be a very capable dogfighter for
7399-572: The Israel–Gaza barrier , setting fires on the Israeli side of the border, hundreds of dunams of Israeli crop fields were burned by firebomb kites launched from Gaza, with an estimated economic loss of several millions of shekels . Kites have been used for scientific purposes, such as Benjamin Franklin 's famous experiment proving that lightning is electricity . Kites were the precursors to
7550-614: The Joint Chiefs of Staff . As directed by the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the Air Force, certain Air Force components are assigned to unified combatant commands . Combatant commanders are delegated operational authority of the forces assigned to them, while the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force retain administrative authority over their members. Along with conducting independent air operations,
7701-697: The National Security Act of 1947 (61 Stat . 502), which created the USAF: Section 9062 of Title 10 US Code defines the purpose of the USAF as: The five core missions of the Air Force have not changed dramatically since the Air Force became independent in 1947, but they have evolved and are now articulated as air superiority, global integrated ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance), rapid global mobility, global strike, and command and control. The purpose of all of these core missions
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#17327801627967852-531: The US Air Force 's F-104 Starfighter were being conceived at the time, this fighter would have to undertake a role unique to Sweden; the ability to operate from reinforced public roads , which were to be used as part of wartime airbases . The aircraft also needed to be refueled and rearmed in no more than ten minutes by conscripts with minimal training. SAAB commenced work on producing an aircraft to meet these requirements. Preliminary studies found that
8003-690: The Yugoslavian Federal Army . After the fall of the Iron Curtain , Austria declared the relevant article to be obsolete. Thus in 1993, a contract for the purchase of AIM-9 Sidewinder was signed with the Swedish Air Force . They were followed from 1998 by a number of improved AIM-9P5's from Loral Corporation In 2005, these Drakens were retired, having been replaced by former Swiss Air Force F-5 Tiger IIs , while waiting for new Eurofighter Typhoons to take their place in
8154-713: The air service branch of the United States Armed Forces , and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States . Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part of the United States Army Signal Corps , the USAF was established as a separate branch of the United States Armed Forces in 1947 with the enactment of the National Security Act of 1947 . It is the second youngest branch of
8305-1045: The parafoil , and power kites . Kites were used for scientific purposes, especially in meteorology, aeronautics, wireless communications and photography . The Rogallo wing was adapted for stunt kites and hang gliding and the parafoil was adapted for parachuting and paragliding . The rapid development of mechanically powered aircraft diminished interest in kites. World War II saw a limited use of kites for military purposes ( survival radio , Focke Achgelis Fa 330 , military radio antenna kites ). Kites are now mostly used for recreation. Lightweight synthetic materials ( ripstop nylon , plastic film , carbon fiber tube and rod) are used for kite making. Synthetic rope and cord ( nylon , polyethylene , kevlar and dyneema ) are used as bridle and kite line. Designs often emulate flying insects, birds, and other beasts, both real and mythical. The finest Chinese kites are made from split bamboo (usually golden bamboo), covered with silk, and hand painted. On larger kites, clever hinges and latches allow
8456-649: The 14.5 cm psrak m49/56 high-explosive anti-tank rocket and in 1978, a new type of air-to-air missile, the AIM-9J Sidewinder (Swedish designation rb 24J ), later modified with an Ericsson laser proximity fuze, making it equivelant to the AIM-9P-3. Something noteworthy is that the J 35D was the last Swedish Draken variant fitted with 2 guns. Reconnaissance version of the Saab 35D designated S 35E ( Erik ). 60 aircraft (35901–35960), including test aircraft, built between 1963 and 1968 in 2 series. The S 35E
8607-478: The 16th and 17th centuries. Konrad Kyeser described dragon kites in Bellifortis about 1400 AD. Although kites were initially regarded as mere curiosities, by the 18th and 19th centuries they were being used as vehicles for scientific research. In 1752, Benjamin Franklin published an account of a kite experiment to prove that lightning was caused by electricity . Kites were also instrumental in
8758-422: The Air Force's readiness to carry out the nuclear strike operations mission as well as from specific actions taken to assure allies as a part of extended deterrence. Dissuading others from acquiring or proliferating WMD and delivering them contributes to promoting security and is also an integral part of this mission. Moreover, different deterrence strategies are required to deter various adversaries, whether they are
8909-547: The BEAST, the other portions include defending and protecting their base of operations, forming a structure of leadership, directing search and recovery, and basic self aid buddy care. During this event, the Military Training Instructors (MTI) act as mentors and opposing forces in a deployment exercise. In November 2022, the USAF announced that it will discontinue BEAST and replace it with another deployment training program called PACER FORGE. In 2007,
9060-478: The David was the fastest Draken version, capable of accelerating until out of fuel. In terms of armament and avionics, the J 35D was almost identical to the J 35B. It was fully integrated into the Swedish STRIL 60 system and was also fitted with a 'control data system', allowing the aircraft to receive digital orders from ground control. It also featured the same PS-03/A radar and S-7A-2 radar gunsight as
9211-496: The Draken had been almost entirely replaced by the Saab 37 Viggen in SAF service. The Draken J 35J was effectively a service life extension programme, which had been initiated as a result of the impending delivery of the new Saab JAS 39 Gripen having suffered several delays. The extension program was intended to keep the Draken flying into the 2000s but, as a consequence of budgetary cutbacks and high maintenance costs being incurred with
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#17327801627969362-421: The Draken was outfitted with a Ferranti -built Airpass II fire-control radar, which was effective for acquiring various air-to-air or air-to-surface targets, along with a ground-mapping mode working in conjunction with the aircraft's navigation systems. Typically, two separate radio units would be installed, along with a high-speed data link and two navigation systems. As there is no natural feedback placed upon
9513-566: The J 35's tailless double delta wing configuration, the plane encountered problems at the start of its service life. The unstable design of the double delta wing made it difficult to land early versions of the J 35 as they had to be manually stabilized during landing. The design also allowed the plane to enter a " super stall "; which can be described as an uncontrollable stall affecting aircraft with specific wing configurations when experiencing high alpha numbers. Due to this, J 35 pilots were trained to prevent super stalls, and this training led to
9664-588: The J 35B was for the most part equivalent to the J 35A, but the fixed 30 mm akan m/55 ADEN cannons in the wings had 100 rounds per gun and the aircraft had gained the ability to use 75 mm srak m/57 air-to-air rockets . The rockets were fired from Rakkaps m/57 rocket pods mounted in pairs on the Sidewinder belly pylon, each holding 19 rockets. Twin-seat trainer version designated SK 35C ( Cesar ). 25 aircraft (35801–35825), converted from J 35A1s (Adam kort) between April 1961 to August 1962 by rebuilding
9815-399: The J 35B. Weaponry on the J 35D was at least initially equivalent to the J 35B. It had two 30 mm akan m/55 ADEN cannons in the wings with 100 rounds per gun, 4 inward hardpoints, 1 under each wing and 2 on the belly, for external air-to-air ordnance, as well as 6 outer hardpoints for air-to-ground rockets. In 1977, however, a new type of air-to-ground rocket became available to the J 35D,
9966-399: The J 35D. To make space for more avionics, the left cannon was removed, with ammunition increased to 120 rounds for the right cannon as compensation. The J 35F existed in two primary variants: Attacker version designated J 35G ( Gustav ). 70 aircraft suggested to be converted from J 35Ds but the project was cancelled early on. The Gustaf version was specifically going to be able to carry
10117-526: The J 35F, which was also the final version to remain in Swedish service, then modified to J 35J standard. Its export customers included Denmark and Finland. In May 1985, the Austrian Air Force purchased 24 J 35Ds, which had been refurbished by Saab. The J 35 Draken design underwent several upgrades. The last of these was the J 35J version, which was produced during the late 1980s; by this point,
10268-797: The Navy , and the newly created Department of the Air Force. Prior to 1947, the responsibility for military aviation was shared between the Army Air Forces and its predecessor organizations (for land-based operations), the Navy (for sea-based operations from aircraft carriers and amphibious aircraft), and the Marine Corps (for close air support of Marine Corps operations). The 1940s proved to be important for military aviation in other ways as well. In 1947, Air Force Captain Chuck Yeager broke
10419-461: The ROMO. The purpose of nuclear deterrence operations (NDO) is to operate, maintain, and secure nuclear forces to achieve an assured capability to deter an adversary from taking action against vital US interests. In the event deterrence fails, the US should be able to appropriately respond with nuclear options. The sub-elements of this function are: Assure/Dissuade/Deter is a mission set derived from
10570-399: The SAF opted to retire the Draken during December 1999. The type was also exported to the air forces of Austria , Denmark and Finland . Danish aircraft have been exported, post-service, to the United States where they have seen use as training aircraft for test pilots. The Swedish word "Draken" has a double meaning, translating either as "The Dragon" or "The Kite". It is said that the name
10721-466: The SAF. The base aircraft of the Saab 35E was almost identical to the J 35D and featured the same engine and afterburner, the RM6CS and EBK67. It differed however in that it had no armament or radar, as to make space for 9 Vinten cameras, five in the nose and four in the fuselage, some mounted upright, others mounted obliquely. The aircraft was however fitted with a radar warning receiver and could mount
10872-541: The Saab Rb 05 air-to-ground missile . Fighter version designated J 35J ( Johan ). In 1985 the Swedish government decided to modify 67 J 35F2s to the J 35J standard. The aircraft received a longer lifespan, modernized electronics, a modernized cannon, two additional hardpoints under the intakes for extra AIM-9 Sidewinder pylons ( balk G , "pylon G") and increased external fuel capacity. The modification took place between 1987 and 1991. The final operational J 35J flew for
11023-543: The US determines national or multinational security objectives and guidance, and develops and uses national resources to accomplish these objectives. These national objectives in turn provide the direction for developing overall military objectives, which are used to develop the objectives and strategy for each theater. At the operational level command and control, campaigns and major operations are planned, conducted, sustained, and assessed to accomplish strategic goals within theaters or areas of operations. These activities imply
11174-514: The USAF dwarfs all other U.S. and allied air components, it often provides support for allied forces in conflicts to which the United States is otherwise not involved, such as the 2013 French campaign in Mali . The USAF has also taken part in numerous humanitarian operations. Some of the more major ones include the following: The culture of the United States Air Force is primarily driven by pilots, at first those piloting bombers (driven originally by
11325-464: The USAF established the nuclear-focused Air Force Global Strike Command on 24 October 2008, which later assumed control of all USAF bomber aircraft. On 26 June 2009, the USAF released a force structure plan that cut fighter aircraft and shifted resources to better support nuclear, irregular and information warfare. On 23 July 2009, The USAF released their Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Flight Plan, detailing Air Force UAS plans through 2047. One third of
11476-509: The USAF undertook a Reduction-in-Force (RIF). Because of budget constraints, the USAF planned to reduce the service's size from 360,000 active duty personnel to 316,000. The size of the active duty force in 2007 was roughly 64% of that of what the USAF was at the end of the first Gulf War in 1991. However, the reduction was ended at approximately 330,000 personnel in 2008 in order to meet the demand signal of combatant commanders and associated mission requirements. These same constraints have seen
11627-577: The United States Air Force provides air support for land and naval forces and aids in the recovery of troops in the field. As of 2020 , the service operates approximately 5,500 military aircraft and approximately 400 ICBMs . The world's largest air force, it has a $ 179.7 billion budget and is the second largest service branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, with 321,848 active duty airmen , 147,879 civilian personnel, 68,927 reserve airmen, 105,104 Air National Guard airmen, and approximately 65,000 Civil Air Patrol auxiliarists . According to
11778-462: The United States Armed Forces and the fourth in order of precedence . The United States Air Force articulates its core missions as air supremacy , global integrated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance , rapid global mobility , global strike , and command and control . The United States Air Force is a military service branch organized within the Department of the Air Force , one of
11929-526: The ability to fulfill their primary mission. Rapid Global Mobility is essential to virtually every military operation, allowing forces to reach foreign or domestic destinations quickly, thus seizing the initiative through speed and surprise. Airlift is "operations to transport and deliver forces and materiel through the air in support of strategic, operational, or tactical objectives" (Annex 3–17, Air Mobility Operations). The rapid and flexible options afforded by airlift allow military forces and national leaders
12080-407: The ability to integrate, evaluate, and interpret information from available sources to create a finished intelligence product for presentation or dissemination to enable increased situational awareness. Dissemination and integration is "the delivery of intelligence to users in a suitable form and the application of the intelligence to appropriate missions, tasks, and functions" (JP 2-01). It provides
12231-425: The ability to present information and intelligence products across the ROMO enabling understanding of the operational environment to military and national decision-makers. Rapid global mobility is the timely deployment, employment, sustainment, augmentation, and redeployment of military forces and capabilities across the ROMO. It provides joint military forces the capability to move from place to place while retaining
12382-455: The ability to respond and operate in a variety of situations and time frames. The global reach capability of airlift provides the ability to apply US power worldwide by delivering forces to crisis locations. It serves as a US presence that demonstrates resolve and compassion in humanitarian crisis. Air refueling is "the refueling of an aircraft in flight by another aircraft" (JP 1-02). Air refueling extends presence, increases range, and serves as
12533-581: The air for observation purposes, using the kites developed by Samuel Franklin Cody . Barrage kites were used to protect shipping during the Second World War . Kites were also used for anti-aircraft target practice. Kites and kytoons were used for lofting communications antenna. Submarines lofted observers in rotary kites. Palestinians from the Gaza Strip have flown firebomb kites over
12684-557: The aircraft could easily be converted back to J 35A standard if necessary. However, the prototype (35800) was used by Saab to trial the Rb 05 air-to-ground missile . Fighter version designated J 35D ( David ). 120 aircraft (35274–35393) delivered between May 1963 and April 1965 in 3 series. The J 35D was initially planned to be designated J 35B2 , before being renamed to J 35D in January 1960. 62 J 35B2 were ordered on November 15, 1958, with
12835-399: The aircraft's nose, provided emergency power, while the engine also featured a built-in emergency starter unit. To reduce its landing distance when required, the Draken was equipped with a drogue parachute . The principal armament was carried externally, up to four AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles were carried on hard points beneath the wings and fuselage; alternative payloads include
12986-410: The aircraft's yaw and pitch axis, as well as other sources to give accurate aim for the weaponry. Range data could be taken from the radar or set manually by the pilot. Weaponry on the J 35A consisted of two fixed 30 mm ADEN cannons (Swedish designation 30 mm akan m/55) in the wings with 90 rounds per gun. For external ordnance the J 35A had nine hardpoints , eight under the wings and one on
13137-430: The beginning of modern aerial warfare and set the stage for the development of the United States Air Force. The U.S. War Department created the first antecedent of the U.S. Air Force, as a part of the U.S. Army, on 1 August 1907, which through a succession of changes of organization, titles, and missions advanced toward eventual independence 40 years later. In World War II , almost 68,000 U.S. airmen died helping to win
13288-569: The belly. Six of the wing hardpoints were for mounting 13.5 cm srak m/56 high-explosive air-to-ground rockets. The other two wing hardpoints were for mounting AIM-9B Sidewinder air-to-air missiles (Swedish designation rb 24). Rockets and missiles could not be mounted simultaneously on the wings. The belly hardpoint could mount either two rb 24 Sidewinders or a 530-liter drop tank. Fighter version designated J 35B ( Bertil ). 73 aircraft (35201–35273), including test aircraft, were built and delivered between February 1962 and March 1963. The J 35B
13439-447: The creation of a sub-scale test aircraft, the Saab 210 , which was produced and flown to test this previously-unexplored aerodynamic feature. The full-scale production version entered service with frontline squadrons of the Swedish Air Force on March 8, 1960. It was produced in several variants and types, most commonly as a fighter - interceptor . The Saab 35 Draken is known for, among other things, its many "firsts" within aviation. It
13590-460: The development of the cobra maneuver . The cobra is performed by entering into a controlled super stall state, gaining high alpha and then quickly negating the angle of attack to counter the stall. This forces the airframe to act as an air brake for a few seconds, which rapidly reduces the speed. The Swedish Air Force is the first air force to have discovered and developed the cobra maneuver. The Swedish named it kort parad (short parry) after
13741-440: The end of 1960, multiple wings had been equipped with the Draken and had attained operational status. Although the J 35 Draken was designed as a high altitude interceptor and not as a dog fighter, it proved to have a good quick-turn capability and high speed at all altitudes, making it a very capable fighter plane . The early models were intended purely to perform the air defense mission. However, to assist pilots in converting to
13892-479: The enemy holds dear in a devastating manner. If a crisis occurs, rapid generation and, if necessary, deployment of nuclear strike capabilities will demonstrate US resolve and may prompt an adversary to alter the course of action deemed threatening to our national interest. Should deterrence fail, the President may authorize a precise, tailored response to terminate the conflict at the lowest possible level and lead to
14043-399: The era. In Swedish service, it underwent several upgrades, the ultimate of these being the J 35J model. By the mid-1980s, the SAF's Drakens had largely been replaced by the more advanced JA 37 Viggen fighter, while the introduction of the more capable Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter was expected in service within a decade, although delayed. As a consequence of cutbacks and high maintenance costs,
14194-455: The fencing maneuver of the same name, in English known as ‘ beat parry ’. Initially it was used during training to teach pilots how to counter super stalls, however it also saw secondary use as a combat maneuver which would cause a pursuing enemy fighter overshoot, allowing the pilot to riposte . At the end of 1959, deliveries of the J 35A Draken commenced to the SAF, the first unit to receive
14345-676: The festival is 62 feet (19 m) wide by 67 feet (20 m) high and weighs 3,307 pounds (1,500 kg). In the Hamamatsu Kite Festival in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka , more than 100 kites are flown in the sky over the Nakatajima Sand Dunes , one of the three largest sand dunes in Japan, which overlooks the Enshunada Sea. Parents who have a new baby prepare a new kite with their baby's name and fly it in
14496-673: The festival. These kites are traditional ones made from bamboo and paper. In Greece and Cyprus , flying kites is a tradition for Clean Monday , the first day of Lent . In the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda , traditional Bermuda kites are made and flown at Easter , to symbolise Christ's ascent. In Fuerteventura a kite festival is usually held on the weekend nearest to 8 November lasting for 3 days. Polynesian traditional kites are sometimes used at ceremonies and variants of traditional kites for amusement. Older pieces are kept in museums. These are treasured by
14647-483: The fire and movement of friendly forces is not required" (Annex 3-03, Counterland Operations). Close Air Support is defined as "air action by fixed- and rotary-winged aircraft against hostile targets that are in close proximity to friendly forces and which require detailed integration of each air mission with the fire and movement of those forces" (JP 1-02). This can be as a pre-planned event or on demand from an alert posture (ground or airborne). It can be conducted across
14798-441: The first of these prototypes, not fitted with an afterburner , conducted its maiden flight . According to aircraft publication Flight International , an atypically intensive flight test program was conducted to define and test the type's exceptional speed, range, and complicated systems. The second prototype, equipped with an afterburner, unintentionally broke the sound barrier during its first flight while climbing. During 1956,
14949-446: The first operational version of the Draken, designated as the J 35A, was ordered into quantity production and the first production aircraft flew for the first time on February 15, 1958. Mach 2 was reached on January 14, 1960 with test pilot Erik Dahlström at the controls of the J 35B prototype. The engine used was a slightly modified British made Rolls-Royce Avon Mk.48A (Swedish designation RM6BE), engine number 3459. The Saab 35 Draken
15100-546: The first practical aircraft , the biplane . Kites have a long and varied history and many different types are flown individually and at festivals worldwide. Kites may be flown for recreation , art or other practical uses. Sport kites can be flown in aerial ballet , sometimes as part of a competition. Power kites are multi-line steerable kites designed to generate large forces which can be used to power activities such as kite surfing , kite landboarding , kite buggying and snow kiting . The kite has been claimed as
15251-416: The flow of water. Kite festivals are a popular form of entertainment throughout the world. They include large local events, traditional festivals which have been held for hundreds of years and major international festivals which bring in kite flyers from other countries to display their unique art kites and demonstrate the latest technical kites. Many countries have kite museums. These museums may have
15402-874: The front of the kites to make a deep throbbing vibration, and in Malaysia, a row of gourds with sound-slots are used to create a whistle as the kite flies. Malaysia is also home to the Kite Museum in Malacca . Kite are also popular in Nepal , especially in hilly areas and among the Pahadi and Newar communities, although people also fly kites in Terai areas. Unlike India, people in Nepal fly kites in August – September period and
15553-399: The front section of the aircraft, not including the prototype (35800), which flew on December 30, 1959, and was privately owned by Saab. The SK 35C was initially planned to be designated J 35C , before being renamed to "SK 35C" in January 1960. The twenty five SK 35C (J 35C) front sections were ordered on August 24, 1956. The Cesar-version lacked armament but the minor modification meant that
15704-603: The globe to conduct current and future operations. Planning and directing is "the determination of intelligence requirements, development of appropriate intelligence architecture, preparation of a collection plan, and issuance of orders and requests to information collection agencies" (JP 2-01, Joint and National Intelligence Support to Military Operations). These activities enable the synchronization and integration of collection, processing, exploitation, analysis, and dissemination activities/resources to meet information requirements of national and military decision-makers. Collection
15855-604: The gods. Polynesian kite traditions are used by anthropologists to get an idea of early "primitive" Asian traditions that are believed to have at one time existed in Asia. Kites were late to arrive in Europe , although windsock-like banners were known and used by the Romans. Stories of kites were first brought to Europe by Marco Polo towards the end of the 13th century, and kites were brought back by sailors from Japan and Malaysia in
16006-492: The heaviest of the series to have flown. During 1993, the last of the Danish J 35 fleet were retired. During the 1990s, Finland updated its 35XS fleet with new avionics, cockpit displays, navigational/attack systems, and electronic countermeasures ; these were finally retired in 2000 to be replaced by F/A-18 Hornets . Austria was the last country to have the Draken in active military service. The first refurbished Draken J-35Ö's
16157-442: The intention of taking the initiative" (JP 1-02). It includes detection and warning; chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense; camouflage, concealment, and deception; hardening; reconstitution; dispersion; redundancy; and mobility, counter-measures, and stealth. Airspace control is "a process used to increase operational effectiveness by promoting the safe, efficient, and flexible use of airspace" (JP 1-02). It promotes
16308-405: The invention of the 5th-century BC Chinese philosophers Mozi (also Mo Di, or Mo Ti) and Lu Ban (also Gongshu Ban, or Kungshu Phan). Materials ideal for kite building were readily available including silk fabric for sail material; fine, high-tensile-strength silk for flying line; and resilient bamboo for a strong, lightweight framework. By 549 AD, paper kites were certainly being flown, as it
16459-467: The kite further evolved into the fighter kite , known as the patang in India, where thousands are flown every year on festivals such as Makar Sankranti . Kites were known throughout Polynesia , as far as New Zealand , with the assumption being that the knowledge diffused from China along with the people. Anthropomorphic kites made from cloth and wood were used in religious ceremonies to send prayers to
16610-569: The kite to be disassembled and compactly folded for storage or transport. Cheaper mass-produced kites are often made from printed polyester rather than silk. Tails are used for some single-line kite designs to keep the kite's nose pointing into the wind. Spinners and spinsocks can be attached to the flying line for visual effect. There are rotating wind socks which spin like a turbine . On large display kites these tails, spinners and spinsocks can be 50 feet (15 m) long or more. Modern aerobatic kites use two or four lines to allow fine control of
16761-402: The kite's angle to the wind. Traction kites may have an additional line to de-power the kite and quick-release mechanisms to disengage flyer and kite in an emergency. Kites have been used for human flight, military applications, science and meteorology, photography, lifting radio antennas, generating power, aerodynamics experiments, and much more. Kites have been used for military purposes in
16912-456: The last time in 1999. Before it was decided to develop the JAS 39 Gripen in the 1970s, studies were undertaken on modification for low flight hour J 35F airframes. Kite There are several shapes of kites. The lift that sustains the kite in flight is generated when air moves around the kite's surface, producing low pressure above and high pressure below the wings. The interaction with
17063-562: The line in a fast and repeated manner. During the Indian spring festival of Makar Sankranti , near the middle of January, millions of people fly kites all over northern India. Kite flying in Hyderabad starts a month before this, but kite flying/fighting is an important part of other celebrations, including Republic Day , Independence Day, Raksha Bandhan , Viswakarma Puja day in late September and Janmashtami . An international kite festival
17214-639: The long term. In the United States, the National Test Pilot School (NTPS) operated six Drakens that were formerly in Danish service. They were retired in 2009. Several prototypes and test aircraft of the Saab 35 have existed over the years. Some have been prototypes for new variants while others have been test platforms for other aircraft. Fighter version designated J 35A ( Adam ). 90 aircraft (35001–35090), including test aircraft, delivered between March 1960 and December 1961. 29 J 35A were ordered on August 24, 1956, with
17365-425: The majority of critical issues posed by these requirements could be met with a delta wing configuration. However, to obtain an aerodynamically desirable location, the forward fuselage needed to be extended, making the aircraft too heavy. The optimum solution was thought to be a double delta wing. However, this wing configuration was new and untested, so SAAB's design staff, headed by aircraft engineer Erik Bratt , and
17516-710: The mid-2030s. On 22 October 2023, the USAF conducted its first-ever trilateral exercise with the South Korean and Japanese air forces near the Korean Peninsula. On 29 November 2023, a USAF Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey crashed in the Japan island of Yakushima killing 1 airman. In 2024, citing the Supreme Court 's ruling in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo , the Air Force refused to comply with an EPA order that they develop
17667-582: The past, such as signaling, delivery of ammunition , and for observation , both by lifting an observer above the field of battle and by using kite aerial photography . Kites were first used in warfare by the Chinese. During the Song dynasty the Fire Crow , a kite carrying incendiary powder, a fuse, and a burning stick of incense was developed as a weapon. According to Samguk Sagi , in 647 Kim Yu-sin ,
17818-832: The people of Polynesia. In Brazil , flying a kite is a very popular leisure activity for children, teenagers and even young adults. Mostly these are boys, and it is overwhelmingly kite fighting a game whose goal is to maneuver their own kites to cut the other persons' kites' strings during flight, and followed by kite running where participants race through the streets to take the free-drifting kites. As in other countries with similar traditions, injuries are common and motorcyclists in particular need to take precautions. In Chile , kites are very popular, especially during Independence Day festivities (September 18). In Peru, kites are also very popular. There are kite festivals in parks and beaches mostly on August. In Colombia , kites can be seen flown in parks and recreation areas during August which
17969-415: The planes that the USAF planned to buy in the future were to be unmanned. According to Air Force Chief Scientist, Greg Zacharias , the USAF anticipates having hypersonic weapons by the 2020s, hypersonic unmanned aerial vehicles (also known as remotely-piloted vehicles, or RPAs) by the 2030s and recoverable hypersonic RPAs aircraft by the 2040s. The USAF intends to deploy a Sixth-generation jet fighter by
18120-439: The planned avionics installed. Series 3, however, was delivered with complete avionics, resulting in there being two primary sub-variants of the J 35D initially: The Saab 35D base aircraft differed quite a lot compared to previous variants. For one, it was fitted with the much stronger Rolls-Royce Avon Mk.60 (Avon 300 series) engine (Swedish designation RM6CS), which was license produced by SFA (today Volvo Aero ) and fitted with
18271-478: The planned avionics installed. This resulted in there being two primary sub-variants of the J 35B historically: The base aircraft of the Saab 35B was identical to the J 35A2 and featured the same engine and afterburner, the RM6BS and EBK66. Distinctive from the J 35A, however, was that the J 35B was fully integrated into the Swedish STRIL 60 system; a combat guidance and air surveillance system. As part of STRIL 60 it
18422-494: The popular kite brands; they vary in balance, weight and speed. In Indonesia kites are flown as both sport and recreation. One of the most popular kite variants is from Bali . Balinese kites are unique and they have different designs and forms; birds, butterflies, dragons, ships, etc. In Vietnam , kites are flown without tails. Instead small flutes are attached allowing the wind to "hum" a musical tune. There are other forms of sound-making kites. In Bali, large bows are attached to
18573-546: The potential consequences of an accident or unauthorized act, nuclear weapons and nuclear weapon systems require special consideration and protection against risks and threats inherent in their peacetime and wartime environments. In conjunction with other entities within the Departments of Defense or Energy, the Air Force achieves a high standard of protection through a stringent nuclear surety program. This program applies to materiel, personnel, and procedures that contribute to
18724-715: The pre-modern period, Malays in Singapore used kites for fishing. In Japan, kite flying is traditionally a children's play in New Year holidays and in the Boys' Festival in May. In some areas, there is a tradition to celebrate a new boy baby with a new kite (祝い凧). There are many kite festivals throughout Japan. The most famous one is "Yōkaichi Giant Kite Festival" in Higashiōmi, Shiga , which started in 1841. The largest kite ever built in
18875-483: The production of intelligence" (JP 2-01). It provides the ability to transform, extract, and make available collected information suitable for further analysis or action across the ROMO. Analysis and production is "the conversion of processed information into intelligence through the integration, evaluation, analysis, and interpretation of all source data and the preparation of intelligence products in support of known or anticipated user requirements" (JP 2-01). It provides
19026-576: The research of the Wright brothers , and others, as they developed the first airplane in the late 1800s. Several different designs of man-lifting kites were developed. The period from 1860 to about 1910 became the European "golden age of kiting". In the 20th century, many new kite designs are developed. These included Eddy 's tailless diamond, the tetrahedral kite , the Rogallo wing , the sled kite ,
19177-491: The safe, efficient, and flexible use of airspace, mitigates the risk of fratricide, enhances both offensive and defensive operations, and permits greater agility of air operations as a whole. It both deconflicts and facilitates the integration of joint air operations. Global integrated intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) is the synchronization and integration of the planning and operation of sensors, assets, and processing, exploitation, dissemination systems across
19328-602: The safety, security, and control of nuclear weapons, thus assuring no nuclear accidents, incidents, loss, or unauthorized or accidental use (a Broken Arrow incident ). The Air Force continues to pursue safe, secure and effective nuclear weapons consistent with operational requirements. Adversaries, allies, and the American people must be highly confident of the Air Force's ability to secure nuclear weapons from accidents, theft, loss, and accidental or unauthorized use. This day-to-day commitment to precise and reliable nuclear operations
19479-535: The same principles as used by other sailing craft, provided that lateral forces on the ground or in the water are redirected as with the keels, center boards, wheels and ice blades of traditional sailing craft. In the last two decades several kite sailing sports have become popular, such as kite buggying, kite land boarding, kite boating and kite surfing. Snow kiting has also become popular in recent years. Kite sailing opens several possibilities not available in traditional sailing: Computer-controlled kites can serve as
19630-558: The sound barrier in his X-1 rocket-powered aircraft, beginning a new era of aeronautics in America. The predecessor organizations in the Army of today's Air Force are: During the early 2000s, two USAF aircraft procurement projects took longer than expected, the KC-X and F-35 programs. As a result, the USAF was setting new records for average aircraft age. Since 2005, the USAF has placed
19781-414: The spring celebrations and the fighters enjoy competing with rivals to cut-loose the string of the others kite, popularly known as "Paecha". During the spring festival, kite flying competitions are held across the country and the skies are colored with kites. When a competitor succeeds in cutting another's kite loose, shouts of 'wo kata' ring through the air. Cut kites are reclaimed by chasing after them. This
19932-438: The stick, artificial forces were generated by a q-feel system. The Draken was also fitted with a three-axis autopilot . The fuselage of the Draken consisted of two sections, front and rear, joined by bolts. The forward section, which was integral with the intake ducts and neighbouring wing structure, accommodates the fire-control radar , cockpit, nose undercarriage , integral fuel tanks and various systems. The rear portion, which
20083-501: The three military departments of the Department of Defense . The Air Force through the Department of the Air Force is headed by the civilian Secretary of the Air Force , who reports to the Secretary of Defense and is appointed by the President with Senate confirmation . The highest-ranking military officer in the Air Force is the Chief of Staff of the Air Force , who exercises supervision over Air Force units and serves as one of
20234-399: The traditional aircraft , and were instrumental in the development of early flying craft. Alexander Graham Bell experimented with very large man-lifting kites , as did the Wright brothers and Lawrence Hargrave . Kites had a historical role in lifting scientific instruments to measure atmospheric conditions for weather forecasting . Francis Ronalds and William Radcliffe Birt described
20385-472: The type being fighter wing F13, stationed at Norrköping . During March 1960, the Drakens of unit F13 participated in a three-day long exercise, flying by night and day while operating under a state of "highest readiness" throughout. According to Flight International, the introduction to service of the J 35A was "very smooth", and that the scramble and turn-round times had been found to be "most satisfactory". By
20536-418: The type, Saab produced a small number of twin-seat J 35C trainer aircraft, the first of which having been completed during December 1959. During 1959, an improved air defence fighter model, designated as the J 35B, was developed, which featured improved performance and equipment over the J 35A. Among other things, it was powered by an improved engine fitted with an enlarged afterburner, a redesigned rear fuselage,
20687-668: The type, the Draken was phased out of Swedish service in December 1999, although the aircraft has since remained operational in limited numbers within both military and civilian roles. All Drakens functioned as interceptors with limited air-to-ground capability; the sole exception to this rule was the Danish Drakens, which functioned as strike aircraft and were capable of carrying a mixture of AGM-12 Bullpup air-to-ground missiles , electronic countermeasures , and increased internal and external fuel storage. The Danish Drakens were
20838-467: The war, with only the infantry suffering more casualties. In practice, the U.S. Army Air Forces ( USAAF ) was virtually independent of the Army during World War II, and in virtually every way functioned as an independent service branch, but airmen still pressed for formal independence. The National Security Act of 1947 was signed on 26 July 1947, which established the Department of the Air Force , but it
20989-704: The wind also generates horizontal drag along the direction of the wind. The resultant force vector from the lift and drag force components is opposed by the tension of one or more of the lines or tethers to which the kite is attached. The anchor point of the kite line may be static or moving (e.g., the towing of a kite by a running person, boat, free-falling anchors as in paragliders and fugitive parakites or vehicle). The same principles of fluid flow apply in liquids, so kites can be used in underwater currents. Paravanes and otter boards operate underwater on an analogous principle. Man-lifting kites were made for reconnaissance, entertainment and during development of
21140-408: Was also the first Swedish aircraft fitted with a 'control data system' ( Swedish : styrdatasystem ) which allowed ground-control to send digital orders to the aircraft. These orders were then stored in the aircraft's computers so the pilot could read the order several times and didn't have to memorize the content. The radar on the J 35B was a Swedish developed radar from LME designated PS-03/A. It
21291-487: Was derived from the appearance of the prototype, like a paper kite, when seen from above. The number "35" comes from the aircraft's Swedish Air Force-designation: "flygplan 35" (fpl 35), meaning “aeroplane 35”. Depending on the given role, the aircraft received a prefix to indicate its type, the most common being "J 35" to indicate "jaktflygplan" (pursuit-aircraft), the Swedish term for fighter aircraft. As jet fighter technology developed after World War II, Sweden foresaw
21442-561: Was handed over to the Austrian Air Force by 1987. These Drakens was initially been armed solely with two 30mm air-to-air cannons , which have proved to be inadequate. This was due to a "missile ban" which stemmed from the Austrian State Treaty of 1955 . By 1991, with the start of the Yugoslavian Civil War to its neighbor down south. There were numerous airplace violations along the southern border caused by
21593-435: Was initially planned to be designated J 35B1 , before being renamed to just J 35B in January 1960. 72 J 35B1 were ordered on February 28, 1958. 25 of these were to receive the 25 Saab 35A front sections left over from the Saab 35C conversion, but modified to Saab 35B standard. Due to manufacturing issues, delivery delays occurred for some J 35B subsystems, resulting in that the J 35B initially being delivered with only parts of
21744-615: Was initially planned to be designated S 35B2 , before being renamed to S 35E in January 1960. In 1958 the SAF planned to order 60 J 35B2 (J 35D) fighters in November 1960, which were intended to be converted to S 35B2 (S 35E) reconnaissance aircraft at a later date. In the end, 30 S 35E were produced as new aircraft (35902–35931) and delivered between July 1965 to May 1966 as series 1, while 28 S 35E were converted from J 35D (35932–35959) and delivered between October 1966 to January 1968 as series 2. Two more aircraft, S 35E (35901) and S 35E (35960) were also converted from Davids but never delivered to
21895-437: Was manufactured as a single piece alongside the rest of the inner wing, contained the engine and afterburner, bag-type fuel tanks, armament, main landing gear, and other systems. The flight control surfaces consisted of a rudder , along with inboard and outboard elevons , the outer sections being fitted with mass-balance weights. Each surface was operated by a tandem hydraulic jack, which was connected to separate circuits. As
22046-500: Was not until 18 September 1947, when the first secretary of the Air Force, W. Stuart Symington , was sworn into office that the Air Force was officially formed as an independent service branch. The act created the National Military Establishment (renamed Department of Defense in 1949), which was composed of three subordinate Military Departments, namely the Department of the Army , the Department of
22197-587: Was recorded that in that year a paper kite was used as a message for a rescue mission. Ancient and medieval Chinese sources describe kites being used for measuring distances, testing the wind, lifting men, signaling, and communication for military operations. The earliest known Chinese kites were flat (not bowed) and often rectangular. Later, tailless kites incorporated a stabilizing bowline. Kites were decorated with mythological motifs and legendary figures; some were fitted with strings and whistles to make musical sounds while flying. After its introduction into India ,
22348-533: Was superior and more advanced compared to the French PS-02 used on the J 35A. The gunsight was an advanced radar gunsight developed by Saab for both the J 35B and J 35D called S-7A-2. It used data from, among others, the aircraft's yaw and pitch axis, as well as the PS-03/A radar. It was specifically designed for head-on attacks with air-to-air rockets , something the J 35A did not have access too. Weaponry on
22499-429: Was that he had repeatedly clashed with Wynne and Moseley over other important non-nuclear related issues to the service. This followed an investigation into two incidents involving mishandling of nuclear weapons : specifically a nuclear weapons incident aboard a B-52 flight between Minot AFB and Barksdale AFB , and an accidental shipment of nuclear weapons components to Taiwan. To put more emphasis on nuclear assets,
22650-496: Was the first Western European-built combat aircraft with true supersonic capability to enter service and the first fully supersonic aircraft to be deployed in Western Europe. Designwise it was one of, if not the first, combat aircraft designed with double delta wings, being drawn up by early 1950. The unconventional wing design also had the side effect of making it the first known aircraft to be capable of and perform
22801-530: Was the first officer appointed to that position who did not have a background as a fighter or bomber pilot. The Washington Post reported in 2010 that General Schwartz began to dismantle the rigid class system of the USAF, particularly in the officer corps. In 2014, following morale and testing/cheating scandals in the Air Force's missile launch officer community, Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James admitted that there remained
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