The hottest Aircraft Substack posts right now

The concept of police helicopters has roots dating back to the 1930s in London, with the use of autogyros for aerial surveillance and traffic management.
Autogyros, precursor to helicopters, were notable for their innovative design, flight capabilities, and utility for police operations.
The early days of police autogyros involved significant milestones such as monitoring public gatherings, assisting in traffic control, and capturing aerial images for police work.

This is the 30th weekend update post on Substack.
The author started writing these weekend updates as a protective measure when Elon Musk took over Twitter.
Moving the updates from Twitter to Substack has improved communication.

Coaxial drones have improved flight efficiency and longer flight durations due to their balanced torque effect from counter-rotating rotors.
Coaxial drones are simpler in design with fewer motors and Electronic Speed Controllers, resulting in reduced weight and complexity compared to quadrocopters.
Coaxial drones offer larger payload capacities, less noise, and are easier to transport, but their flight mode complexity presents challenges in control design.

The key difference between Ukrainian and Russian SU-27 variants is the integration of active radar guided missiles, which is crucial in modern combat.
Russian SU-27 variants have significant upgrades like modern multifunction displays, improved radar, and the capability to carry active radar guided missiles, providing them with a distinct advantage.
The upgrades in Russian SU-27 variants showcase the importance of keeping the aircraft current, while the Ukrainian Air Force faces challenges due to older technology and the lack of certain capabilities.

During the 1973 Yom Kippur War, Israeli F4 pilots supposedly engaged North Korean MiGs, highlighting unusual alliances in military history.
The claims of Israeli-F4s versus North Korean MiGs have circulated for years, with conflicting reports from different sources making the actual events unclear.
Despite Israeli denial, various sources and books suggest the intriguing possibility of North Korean pilots engaging in combat with Israeli aircraft during the Yom Kippur War.

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In a recent breakthrough, an AI-controlled F-16 competed successfully in a dogfight against a human pilot, showcasing advanced algorithms and situational awareness.
The X-62 program, formerly VISTA, demonstrated the potential of AI in flight research by autonomously handling combat scenarios with agility and precision, hinting at a future with AI-driven aircraft.
The rise of AI in military aviation suggests a shift towards efficient, humanless aerial systems, raising questions about the future roles of pilots and the direction of military aviation.

The SR-71 Blackbird was an advanced reconnaissance aircraft that was practically untouchable due to its high speed and altitude.
Blackbird missions over Vietnam provided valuable intelligence by capturing photos of enemy missile activity and tracking North Vietnamese movements.
Despite facing dangers like being tracked by surface-to-air missiles, the SR-71 Blackbird played a crucial role in various operations during the Vietnam War.

In the 1960s, there was a move towards developing supersonic bombers like the British TSR-2 and the American F-111 to replace older conventional bomber aircraft.
The TSR-2 was an ambitious British design capable of high speeds and multirole capabilities, but faced challenges like high costs and competition from the American F-111.
Despite its advanced features and successful test flights, the TSR-2 program was ultimately cancelled due to financial reasons, leading to controversy and impacting the British aeronautical industry.

In the mid-1950s, Australia chose the French Dassault Mirage III as its first supersonic fighter, over options like the American Lockheed F-104 Starfighter.
The Mirage IIIO in Australian service initially had an engine choice between Rolls-Royce Avon turbojets and French SNECMA Atar 9C, with Avon being too costly and later switched to Atar 9C.
The Mirage had a significant service history in Australia, with notable deployments to Malaysia and formations like the Deltas and Miracles aerobatic teams, before being retired by 1988.