warplanes

dogfight

Close combat between aircraft

• strafingAerial gunfire at ground
• interceptionSeizing something in transit
• bombingAttack with explosives
• missilesSelf-propelled guided weapons

flak · engagement · barrage · air-to-air · air-to-ground · lock-on · evasion · pursuit

cockpit

Pilot's control compartment

• fuselageAircraft's central structure
• wingsLimbs for flight
• aileronWing-mounted roll control
• flapsHinged control surfaces

tail · rudder · propeller · turbine · engine · canopy · landing gear · turret

squadron

Military aviation unit

• hangarAircraft storage structure
• runwayPaved path for planes
• airbaseMilitary aviation facility
• carrierOne that transports

mission · sortie · deployment · maintenance · refueling · armament · briefing · debriefing

fighter

One who engages in combat

• bomberExplosive-delivery aircraft or saboteur
• interceptorAircraft that intercepts threats
• jetForced fluid stream
• biplaneAircraft with two wing levels

monoplane · seaplane · stealth · reconnaissance · transport · tanker · drone · spitfire

pilot

One who steers aircraft

• wingmanSupportive second in formation
• navigatorRoute-directing crew member
• bombardierPlane's payload releaser
• gunnerOne who fires artillery

aviator · ace · squadron · aircrew · copilot · flight crew · radio operator

altitude

Measured height above reference

• airspaceRegulated overhead flight zone
• formationCreation or arrangement
• maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
• takeoffDeparture or parody

landing · thrust · aerodynamics · airspeed · supersonic · afterburner · g-force · banking

radar

Radio-wave object detection

• missilesSelf-propelled guided weapons
• ejection seatEmergency pilot launcher
• flaresPyrotechnic distress signals
• chaffProtective seed coverings

targeting · avionics · weapons systems · autopilot · communications · navigation · fire control · heads-up display