Blog

  • The Forgotten Spy Plane

    Why did the US Navy quietly retire its most effective spy plane? We examine the operational history of this platform and its departure. This breakdown covers the specialized aircraft that served as the eyes of the fleet. We look at the technical role these machines played in sensitive reconnaissance missions and why the Navy chose to phase them out of active service. By analyzing the capabilities of these US Navy aircraft, we gain insight into the shifting priorities of naval surveillance. We examine how carrier operations integrated these assets to maintain domain awareness against hostile coastlines. Subscribe to PilotPhotog for…

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  • How Did an Unarmed EF-111A Raven Claim an Air-to-Air Kill?

    On January 17, 1991, Captain Brent Brandon saw a missile coming toward his EF-111A Raven. An Iraqi Mirage F1 had slipped behind the American jet over western Iraq. Beside Brandon, Captain Jim Denton had speed, room to turn, and very little altitude to work with. His aircraft carried neither a gun nor an air-to-air missile. The Raven crew came home that night. In their account, the Mirage flew into the ground during the encounter. It’s the story behind one of the Gulf War’s most unusual air-to-air claims, and it raises a question that gets to the heart of the Raven’s…

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  • Blackbeard – The Navy’s newest weapon

    The Super Hornet is now testing the Blackbeard missile. See how these unusual weapons are integrated onto current naval aircraft. This footage captures Super Hornets operating from Pax River, showcasing the latest flight deck activity and carrier-based formations. We examine the current state of naval aviation testing and the practical challenges of deploying specialized munitions from existing fighter platforms. By analyzing this new Blackbeard missile testing, we can better understand how the Navy adapts its fleet to maintain dominance in contested airspace. We look at the technical requirements for these airframes and what the current flight testing phase reveals about…

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  • How the EA-6B Prowler Blinded the Enemy

    EA-6B Prowler: The ‘Ugly’ Jet That Kept Others Alive—and Fought Back A strike aircraft approaching its target has more to worry about than enemy fighters. Somewhere ahead, a radar may be searching for it. Another may be preparing to guide a missile. Getting through means disrupting the chain of events that turns a radar contact into a shootdown. That was the world of the EA-6B Prowler. With four crew members beneath its long canopy and electronic warfare pods hanging beneath its wings, the Prowler had a distinctive appearance and a demanding mission: help other aircraft operate in dangerous airspace. In…

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  • EB-66 Destroyer: The Forgotten Jammer

    EB-66 Destroyer: Electronic Warfare Over Vietnam A strike mission’s success depended on more than reaching the target. Crews also had to survive the radar systems guiding enemy defenses toward them. Over Vietnam, that struggle made electronic warfare an essential part of the air campaign—and placed aircraft such as the EB-66 Destroyer in a demanding role. In the opening episode of Chronicles of AirPower: Electronic Warriors, we explore the EB-66 and the crews who helped other aircraft operate in dangerous skies. Watch Episode 1: EB-66 Destroyer below. Fighting an Enemy You Couldn’t See A radar signal could carry consequences far beyond…

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