Full Description
Over the past eight decades, developments in vertical lift aircraft—both helicopters and vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) planes—have given the American military unparalleled capabilities on the modern battlefield. The U.S. has led the world in vertical lift technologies with the help of some of the brightest minds in this field—Igor I. Sikorsky, Arthur M. Young, Frank N. Piasecki, Charles H. Kaman and Stanley Hiller, Jr., to name a few—and by having the industrial prowess to make their concepts reality.
This book gives a concise historical survey, including technical specifications, drawings, and photographs of every type of helicopter and V/STOL aircraft developed for the U.S. military, from the earliest examples tested in 1941 and 1942, up to the newest prototypes.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Preface
Introduction: Influences That Shaped Development of Vertical Flight in the U.S. Military Services
Part I—Helicopters
Part II—Vertical/Short Takeoff and Landing Aircraft
Appendix I: Unmanned Helicopters and Vertical/Short Takeoff and Landing Air Vehicles
Appendix II: Helicopter and Vertical/Short Takeoff and Landing Aircraft (V/STOL) Designation Systems
Appendix III: Helicopter and Vertical/Short Takeoff and Landing Aircraft (V/STOL) Unit Designations
Appendix IV: Helicopter and Short/Vertical Takeoff and Landing (V/STOL) Aircraft Weapons and Munitions
Glossary of Helicopter and Aeronautical Terms
Bibliography
Index
