Air Warriors

Meet the undisputed king of winged fighters, the F-15 Eagle. For decades, it's been the U.S. Air Force's weapon of choice when there's any real chance of air-to-air combat, with an undefeated record since its first combat kill in 1979. We reveal how this sleek, powerful jet overcame its skeptics to dominate the skies. Then we explore how it revolutionized the aviation world through rare footage and captivating stories from the pilots who flew into danger aboard this remarkable and resilient aircraft.

Highly maneuverable, heavily armed, extensively fortified, and devastatingly powerful, the U.S. Army's AH-64 Apache is one of the most trusted and lethal weapons in the sky. Called "Black Death" by her foes, she's cast a feared shadow over the battlefield, but this modern chopper was nearly scrapped before ever seeing action. Discover the inside story of the world's premier attack helicopter, from its controversial beginnings, rife with technical challenges and tragic failures, to its remarkable triumphs against enemy forces.

The story of the U.S. Marine's V-22 Osprey is one of transformation. It can convert from helicopter to plane, and back again. But what led to its invention? And how did it survive more than two decades of political turmoil and media scrutiny? Join us as we look back on this historic tiltrotor's tumultuous history. We detail how it escaped the political chopping block despite early failures, how it built its reputation in battles and on humanitarian rescue efforts, and how it ultimately transformed the landscape of military aviation forever.

The A-10 Thunderbolt II was made for durability and power. With seeming indestructibility, it can eliminate armored vehicles, tanks, and even buildings with remarkable accuracy, all the while protecting American troops on the ground. Over the decades, it has repeatedly proved its worth, not only on the battlefield but in the eyes of its toughest critic: the U.S. Air Force. Discover the story of the ugly duckling affectionately named "Warthog," and see how this clunky but robust fighter continually out-flies and out-guns its competitors.

What they do is untraceable and highly classified. Instead of utilizing bullets and bombs, they use force and frequency. This is the story of the Prowler, the U.S. Navy's electronic warrior, and its leading counterpart, the Growler. These aircraft are the first line of attack, able to locate, jam, and destroy enemy radar, giving fighter planes more time to complete their missions. With the capability to fight in the electromagnetic spectrum, these Air Warriors have an advantage in the new age of defense.

For decades, the Black Hawk has played a role in nearly every American conflict and is used all over the globe. But how did the UH-60 become the Army's go-to bird? This is the inside story of how the military workhorse got off the ground and became a multi-mission lifesaver. See how its pilots and engineers learned from setbacks and tragedies and expanded Black Hawk's capabilities to improve getting soldiers into and out of the heat of the battle.

The C-17 Globemaster III is the Air Force's favorite heavy hauler, a flying warehouse that has stood tall against the mightiest of enemies for decades. Strangely, some of its toughest battles were fought right in America, where critics in Congress nearly scrapped the big gray beast before it even left the ground. This is the story of how the C-17 flew through all opposition to prove it could pull its weight in any situation, as told by the men and women who flew the "Moose" into and out of danger in Eastern Europe, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Power. Strength. Precision. The CH-47 Chinook is not the most glamorous aircraft in the military's inventory, but it's been the Army's go-to helicopter for lifting heavy cargo for decades. The Chinook has proven its worth in every notable conflict since Vietnam, but to live through changing war zones, the aging chopper has needed to learn new tricks. Explore how the Army's oldest heavy hauler evolved, from its birth after the Korean War to its triumphant performances in Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and beyond.

Drones: they watch, analyze, even kill without ever risking a pilot's life. These unmanned aerial vehicles can be flown from anywhere on the globe and can get into places never before dreamed. They are widely used by military and civilians alike and can be seen almost everywhere, but exactly where, when, and how did these flying robots come to be? Join us as we follow drones over war zones, wildfires, and into aviation history as we detail their meteoric rise from yesterday's obscure wonder to today's global obsession.

It's fast, it's acrobatic, and it's built to get in your face before you even know it's there. The F-16 Fighting Falcon is the lightest fighter in the Air Force inventory, and ushered in a new breed of dogfighter. Witness its origins during the Vietnam War, as the U.S. military raced to create a fighter that could hold its own against the Russian's MiG. Then see how it evolved over the decades, adapted in order to stay relevant, and continued to soar to become the undisputed king of the multirole fighters.

The B-52 Stratofortress is affectionately known as the B.U.F.F., or Big, Ugly, Fat Fellow. Whatever you call it, the B-52 is one imposing beast of a bomber, stretching 159 feet, capable of flying nearly 9,000 miles in a single trip, and able to carry up to 70,000 pounds of weapons at a time. Join us as we crown the Air Force's longest serving heavyweight champ, a global reach aircraft that has, for more than a half a century, led the way in every major U.S. bombing campaign, from Korea to Vietnam to Iraq and beyond.

With its long-distance range and highflying dogfighting abilities, the P-51 Mustang was designed to dominate the skies and help end World War II. And it did. Take flight on an aircraft that symbolized the power and romance of the fighter, a plane that continues to stun and amaze today. We track the history of this nimble, robust Air Warrior, from its international origins to the challenges it overcame in the battle for air superiority over Europe, captured through compelling firsthand testimony and rarely seen combat footage.

It's sleek, powerful, fast, and innovative, with the grace of a chopper and the knockout punch of a fighter jet. The Harrier is the world's most famous short takeoff/vertical landing jet and the Marines' go-to aircraft for close-air support. But despite all of its amazing capabilities, the Harrier has sparked controversy over the years and has been forced to prove itself time and time again. Discover its remarkable story, as told by the men and women who maintain, fly, and fight with this icon of aviation.

Quite simply, the KC-135 Stratotanker is the backbone of American air power. It has been in the middle of every American air campaign, from Vietnam to Iraq and beyond. This aerial refueler has allowed America's military aircraft to reach across the globe for the past 60 years, carrying up to 200,000 pounds of fuel with a transfer rate of 1,000 gallons per minute. Join us as we celebrate an aircraft that's always on call, always ready to adapt to unexpected situations, and always carrying enough fuel to feed thirsty U.S. fighter jets and keep them flying around the clock

Over the last half-century, the U-2 Dragon Lady has become one of the most reliable aerial reconnaissance platforms in the sky today. But its history has been turbulent, marked by Cold War scandals that sent relations with the Soviet Union into a nosedive. This spy plane was so secret, it was commissioned not by the Air Force, but by the CIA. See how this plane and its pilots have been pushed to the limit in order to stay off of enemy radar and save the lives of soldiers around the world. Here's the history and evolution of America's most legendary spy plane.

The AC-130 is a heavyweight in a class of its own. The massive gunship brings unparalleled cover for troops on the ground and sheer force to enemy skies, day and night. With its revolutionary side-firing design, the AC-130 revolutionized close air support in the 1960s, but was nearly shelved after its weakness was exposed during Operation Desert Storm. Join us as we show how the latest generation of the plane provides further protection to ground troops as we examine the rise, fall, and rebirth of this legendary aircraft.

The F6F Hellcat was built for one reason: to take on the striking force of Japan's Imperial Navy and its premier dogfighter, the Mitsubishi A6M Zero. This is the inside story of how the U.S. Navy, bruised and battered in the Pacific, tasked the engineers at Grumman's to upgrade their current fighters into faster, more agile, and unshakeable warplanes. Witness its creation and impact in the battles of the Philippine Sea and Leyte Gulf, which helped turn the tide of war in the Allies' favor.

It's called Double Ugly, the Rhino, and MiG Killer, but to the Navy, Air Force, Marines, and even NASA, the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom is known for being one of the greatest frontline fighters of all time. Witness the remarkable story of an aircraft that was built for the Cold War, chased rockets to advance the Space Race, and transformed itself to serve in Vietnam and Iraq. It's a tale that spans six decades, beginning with a supersonic bang and ending in a blaze of glory.

In modern warfare, those who remain hidden in the skies gain a clear advantage, and there is no spy plane as undetectable as the F-22 Raptor. Get the inside story of how this war machine became the Air Force's premier stealth fighter, from taking on ISIS over the skies of Syria to chasing mysterious bombers over the Alaskan border. Combat footage of the F-22 and its predecessors plus interviews with pilots provide a rare look at this fast, powerful, and sneaky warrior. From World War II to the Cold War to the fight against ISIS, follow America's quest to build the perfect invisible plane.

The OV-10 Bronco is the Swiss Army Knife of military aviation, faster than a helicopter, more maneuverable than a jet, and able to provide optimal support for troops on the ground in the most difficult of environments. Follow the journey of this light attack aircraft, from its humble origins five decades ago in the garage of two Marines to its heroic missions in Vietnam. Then see how a disastrous role in Desert Storm nearly grounded the warbird for good until it got a shot at redemption two decades later against ISIS.

Discover the story of the Russian fighter jet that set the Western World on its ear: the MiG. For over five decades, the Russian MiG aircraft has been American airpower's fiercest rival, taking on U.S. fighter jets in Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq. But it first took flight against a common enemy: Nazi Germany. Follow the evolution of this quick, durable, and powerful menace in the skies, from its shaky start in the Second World War to its recent and deadly incarnations. See how its ongoing battle with the U.S. for air superiority has compelled both nations to develop better tactics, training, and aircraft.

Innovative engineering allows the P-38 Lightning to fly faster and climb higher than any other World War II warplane. A twin-propeller fighter with heavy armaments packed into its nose, the P-38 becomes one of America's premiere combat planes during the war. It was one of the most unique and deadly warplanes of WWII, with devastating agility and unmatched speeds of over 400 mph. But before the P-38 Lightning seized control of the air from the Japanese and the Germans, some of its pilots were forced to learn on the job. Follow its dogfighting journey, from Alaska to Africa and from Berlin to Tokyo, as the Lightning earned its name, blazing into battle and delivering a killer strike into the hearts of its enemies.

The Supermarine Spitfire is one of the greatest air-to-air fighters in history, entering into combat over the skies of Dunkirk, London, and Malta when Britain needed it most. But before earning its reputation as the defense of the free world, the Spitfire experienced its share of turbulence against the mighty Luftwaffe. Thanks to a radical idea for an elliptical-shaped wing, a Rolls Royce engine, and ace pilots, this is the story of how it ultimately prevailed and helped free the world of tyranny. The Spitfire, the iconic aircraft of the Battle of Britain, will forever be remembered by a grateful nation and the dwindling numbers of pilots who flew her; it is still regarded as one of the best planes ever built.

The Japanese's A6M Zero was the most feared airplane at the beginning of World War II, designed to cause death and destruction on an incredible scale. With the legendary Zero leading the charge, the Imperial Japanese Navy dominated the Pacific, from Pearl Harbor to Wake Island to the Philippines. To have a shot of winning the war, the U.S. Navy needed to somehow beat this fast, nimble, and lightweight killer. Their solution: exploit the Zero's flaws by pitting its agility against the muscle of the F4U Corsair.

There are few wartime conflicts as dramatic or as breathtaking as a dogfight. Two planes chasing and dodging each other at supersonic speeds. The stakes: life or death. Witness some of the most spectacular battles in the air, from World War II to Vietnam to Desert Storm. We celebrate both the remarkable aircraft involved, including the F-15 Eagle, the F-4 Phantom, the F6F Hellcat, and the P-38 Lightning, and give firsthand accounts from some of the bold fighter pilots who looked death in the face and won. Other fighters highlighted are the Mikoyan MiG 29, the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21, the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, the F4F Wildcat, and Messerschmitt Bf 109 (aka the Me 109).

They're sleek and steadfast, high-tech and high-capacity, dynamic and deadly. No matter the mission, from attack to rescue to disaster relief, these military helicopters always rise to the challenge. Get an up-close, inside look at the AH-64 Apache, UH-60 Black Hawk, CH-47 Chinook, and V-22 Osprey as we examine the machines and their most memorable missions. Through rare footage and interviews with the pilots who flew these choppers into danger, we show what gives these air warriors the ability to get the job done time and again. 

Close air support planes are the guardian angels of American ground troops, protecting soldiers with precision firepower. We look at the military's greatest fighters, bombers, and attack aircraft over the last 60 years, from the AV-8B Harrier Jump Jet, the world's most famous vertical/short takeoff and landing fighter jet, to the B-52 Stratofortress, the Air Force's go-to bomber, to the A-10 Thunderbolt II, aka, the "Warthog." The Lockheed AC-130 Gunship and F-16 Fighting Falcon are also featured. We also look back on some of the most thrilling gunship missions, saving lives and winning wars in hotspots across the globe. 

The F-18 has been the backbone of U.S. Navy carrier operations since it was first introduced in the 1980s. It's built to pack a one-two punch as both a fighter and an attack aircraft, capable of dominating both the skies and the battlefield. We examine its origins, beginning in 1973, when the Navy looked to update its aging fighters, including the F-4 Phantom. We then follow the F-18 Hornet and Super Hornet on their most thrilling and perilous missions, from the baptism by fire in Desert Storm to recent bombing campaigns against ISIS. 

At the dawn of the jet age, the F-86 Sabre was the U.S. Air Force's ultimate lethal weapon, flying with electrifying speed and thrilling agility. In the 1950s, this fighter jet engaged in epic aerial battles with the fierce Soviet MiG over the skies of Asia, often outnumbered but never outmatched, thanks to the fearless pilots at the command. We look at the history of these gritty Air Warriors, from the baptism by fire during the Korean War to Operation Black Magic in Taiwan, which cemented the Sabre's place in aviation history.

The B-29 Superfortress changed the face of war, being the first plane with a pressurized cabin and the first that could fly more than 3,000 miles. It's the bomber that brought down the Japanese Empire and ended World War II. The B-29 Superfortress revolutionized long-range bombing, but remarkably, it almost never made it to the battlefield. Follow the dramatic story of this iconic Air Warrior's short but impactful career, from the "Battle of Kansas"--the massive rush production to get the aircraft ready for combat in the Pacific--to its historic nuclear missions over Hiroshima and Nagasaki to its last hurrah, bombing enemy airbases during the Korean War and evading the faster, more agile MiG jet.

The Hawker Hurricane is the plane that saved Britain in her most desperate hour, fighting off the enemy over the shores of Britain, the deserts of Africa, and beyond. Some regard it as the overlooked underdog of British fighter planes. Fast and versatile, the dogfighter doubled as a bomber and ground support aircraft in every theatre of the Second World War. See how this Air Warrior was rushed into service to support the powerful but outnumbered Supermarine Spitfire in fierce battles against the Nazi's mighty Luftwaffe. Then watch as the Hurricane helps the United Kingdom triumph over tyranny, thanks to its maneuverability and adaptability, the skill and grit of its ace pilots, and the power of its Rolls Royce Merlin engines.

Sleek, versatile, and lethal, the Messerschmitt BF 109 (or Me-109) was the Nazi Luftwaffe's deadliest fighter and one of World War II's most influential aircraft. This revolutionary Air Warrior was part of Hitler's early initiative to rebuild the military and establish a brand-new air force. Introduced at the Berlin Olympic Games and tested during the Spanish Civil War, the 109 went on to dominate the skies over Europe feared by Allied bombers and fighters alike. 109s fought Spitfires in the Battle of Britain and alongside Rommel in North Africa becoming a symbol of an evil empire and changing aerial combat for decades to come. 

The B-24 was America's go-to heavy bomber in the early years of World War II, able to go faster, farther, and carry a larger payload than its predecessor, the B-17. And as the most mass-produced bomber in history, it was able to attack in large numbers, overwhelming the enemy and earning its name: the Liberator. Discover how the B-24 came into existence and answered the U.S. military's desperate need for a long-range bomber serving in every branch as well as several Allied air forces and navies. Then witness some of its key missions, flying time and again into the mouth of hell to take on Axis forces.

The US military's ultimate flying war machines and the airplanes used by American forces through the years as pilots and other team members look back on their experiences. These are the Top Ten of WWII: A6M Zero, F4U Corsair, ME-109, Hawker Hurricane, Spitfire, B-17 Flying Fortress, P-51 Mustang, F6F Hellcat, P-38 Lightning, and B-29 Superfortress.

The US military's ultimate flying war machines and the airplanes used by American forces through the years as pilots and other team members look back on their experiences. These are the Top Ten of the Cold War: B-52 Stratofortress, U-2 Dragon Lady, F-86 Sabre, MiG-15 & MiG-21, F-4 Phantom, OV-10 Bronco, EA-6B Prowler, CH-47 Chinook, UH-60 Black Hawk, and F-15 Eagle.

The US military's ultimate flying war machines and the airplanes used by American forces through the years as pilots and other team members look back on their experiences. These are the Top Ten of the 21st Century: F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-117 Nighthawk, AH-64 Apache, F/A-18 Hornet & Super Hornet, Drones, V-22 Osprey, A-10 Thunderbolt II, KC-135 Stratotanker, AV-8B Harrier, and AC-130 Gunship. 

This is inside story of the Avro Lancaster, the British bomber that was rushed into service to fight back against Nazi Germany.

This is an inside look at the Panavia Tornado's evolution from a Cold War low-level bomber to a high-level fighter-interceptor.

An inside look at the P47 Thunderbolt and the critical role it played in both the European and Pacific Theaters of World War II.

The history of the F-111 and how the fighter-bomber no one wanted went on to dominate both air and battlefields in the late 20th century.

The inside story of how the AH/MH-6 evolved over the decades to become an irreplaceable aircraft for the U.S. Military.

An inside look at the C-5 Galaxy and its most dramatic combat and peacetime missions.

The F-14 Tomcat fighter jet hit the big screen in 1986's "Top Gun" and flew in major military conflicts like the Gulf of Sidra incident, Cold War confrontations, and the Iran-Iraq War. Grumman developed the F-14 Tomcat for U.S. Navy in the 1970s to be the post-Vietnam replacement for the aging F-4 Phantom II as a long-range, high-speed fleet defense fighter/interceptor. Its primary Cold War mission, to destroy Soviet bombers and their fighter escorts from a relatively "safe" distance, was never performed in an actual war.A maximum speed of Mach 2.4 and variable "swing wings" made the Tomcat an impressive aircraft and symbol of U.S. naval air power. It served prominently in the Middle East during operations against Libya, in defense of U.S. interests and vessels in the Persian Gulf, in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, in the Balkans in the mid-1990s, and in Iraq and Afghanistan in the early 2000s. Upgrades and modifications over the years made the Tomcat a formidable air-to-ground fighter/bomber toward the end of its service.

The stealthy Consolidated PBY Catalina, an amphibious combat aircraft designed to patrol the seas and skies, has been an asset to military operations and harrowing rescue missions for nearly a century. Produced in the 1930s and 1940s, this seaplane became one of World War II's most versatile and effective multi-role aircraft, used primarily for air-sea rescue operations, cargo transport, convoy bombing, and anti-submarine warfare. Catalinas served with every branch of the United States Armed Forces and in many other nations' air forces and navies. This episode reviews the PBY's use in rescuing sailors from the USS Indianapolis, searching for the German battleship Bismarck, and attacking Japanese shipping in the Pacific. 

The history of the B-17 reveals how the aircraft evolved into the USAF's most lethal bomber in World War II's European and Pacific campaigns. The Women Airforce Service Pilots organization transported Flying Fortresses, which delivered food to the German-occupied Netherlands in Operation Chowhound in the last days of the war.

The story of the de Havilland Mosquito, the wooden RAF aircraft that acted as a bomber, fighter, and reconnaissance plane during World War II.

Despite its early reputation for being unsafe, engineers evolved the F-100 Super Sabre into a supersonic powerhouse and the USAF's go-to fighter-bomber that carried out daily attack missions throughout the Vietnam War. 

Military experts and veterans discuss the history of the Rockwell B-1 Lancer, first conceived as a nuclear bomber during the Cold War, and its evolving wartime roles in the 1990s and 2000s.

The rich history of Britain's flagship super jet, the Hawker Hunter, includes heroic rescues, a rebel pilot's daring flight through London, the crucial gathering of Cold War intelligence, and other thrilling flights during the late 20th century. 

Originally designated as a civilian passenger airliner (the Douglas DC-3), the C-47 became a durable military workhorse during and after WWII, delivering paratroopers behind enemy lines on D-Day, evacuating injured soldiers with flight nurses on board, flying cargo into difficult locations, dropping relief supplies into German-occupied Netherlands near the war's end, and more. Wherever Allied air forces operated, the C-47 provided operational support. It even proved the airborne gunship concept during the Vietnam War as the AC-47.

Aviation historians and veterans detail how the high-speed dives and pinpoint accuracy of the Junkers Ju-87 Stukas became a Nazi terror weapon and symbol of German power during World War II.

Experts discuss the history of the AH-1 Cobra, an agile attack helicopter designed for combat in the Vietnam War and later used for dangerous ground support missions in the Iraq War.