Interesting facts about the aerospace and defense industry

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Image source: Birmingham.ac.uk

A lot of Americans are vaguely familiar with the name “aerospace and defense” probably because they hear it on occasion in the news.  However, to paint a clearer picture, here are some notable facts about the industry.

  • The aerospace and defense industry can be divided into the two industries in its name. The aerospace half involves the production and sale of commercial aircraft, while the defense side assembles systems (and weaponry) for land, sea, and air military operations.
  • Some of the projects of the aerospace industry aside from aircraft are missiles and space vehicles. The industry also develops and produces subsystems such as propulsion and key support systems, and equipment for flight simulations.
  • Relatively few countries have an aerospace and defense industry since it eats up a substantial portion of the economy. However, governments have been quick to justify the cost, citing the overall political value of the industry both domestically and globally.
  • The United States military is the single largest market for defense systems in the world. Not only does it purchase aerospace and defense systems for America, it also supplies equipment for its allies all over the world.
  • The many space exploration programs, such as a manned mission to Mars, keep the aerospace industry busy.
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Image source: SanDiegoBusiness.org

Scott Beale has led various aviation firms in attaining growth in revenues with his competencies in strategic and tactical planning, account development and acquisition, government contract and management, sales team training and supervision, and financial reporting.  More reads on aviation here.

Top Advanced Fighter Jets In The World

While most people can only board passenger aircraft, only elite pilots can commandeer fighter jets. These technological marvels fly in supersonic speeds and are armed for combat, ready for battle at a moment’s notice. And since the fighter jet has broken the sound barrier, advancements have continued to make them better. Here are some of the top fighter jets in the world.

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Image source: nationalinterest.org

Currently the best fighter jet in the world, the Lockheed Martin Boeing F-22 Raptor is the most powerful and most expensive fighter jet ever to be produced. When it flies, it is almost invisible to most radars. And while information regarding most of its avionics and sensors are strictly classified, what is known is that its latest versions can perform multiple roles in combat. It can fight in the air, as well as engage targets on the ground.

Another Lockheed Martin makes it to the list, this time it’s the F-35, also known as the Lightning II. This aircraft was developed under the Joint Strike Fighter program that aimed to replace existing jet aircraft with a common fighter type aircraft. Unlike the F-22 Raptor, the F-35 has a smaller build and only has one engine instead of two. Similarly, it also has advanced stealth technology which makes it harder to detect.

The third most advanced jet comes from Russia, the Sukhoi Su-57. It is considered to be Russia’s answer to the F-22. Like the Raptor, the Su-57 can also engage surface targets.

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Image source: armaholic.com

Scott Beale has been working in the aviation industry for more than 20 years, successfully growing businesses, both which he acquired and founded. For more updates on the aviation and aerospace defense industries, visit this blog.