Harrier Jump Jets play a major role in the United States Marine Corps. Their ability to vertically take off makes them very valuable. Young readers will explore the technology behind the AV-8B Harrier Jump Jet and learn about the missions it performs.
A Marine Expeditionary Unit is a small, quick reaction force used to immediately respond to any crisis. Readers will explore what makes up a unit, what tasks they often perform, and what tools and vehicles they use to accomplish their missions.
The United States Air Force uses B-1B Lancers as strategic bombers. A B-1B Lancer can carry over 125,000 pounds of bombs! Kids will discover the history of the Lancer, the technology behind it, and how it plays a vital role in the United States Air Force.
Get close to the battlefield in one of the most heavily armed gunships in the world. The AC-130 has enough firepower to take out enemy tanks and other armored vehicles. Learn about the history of the AC-130, its weapons and features, and how it supports ground troops in their missions.
The United States Marine Corps uses the Super Cobra to support Marines and take out enemy vehicles. Loaded with missiles, guns, and rockets, the Super Cobra is a very efficient force on the battlefield. Readers will explore the history of the Super Cobra and how this attack helicopter helps the Marine Corps complete missions.
Named after two soldiers who won the Medal of Honor, the Stryker is an armored combat vehicle that serves many roles in the United States Army. Strykers can carry troops, guns, and missiles. They can also work as ambulances, fire trucks, and reconnaissance vehicles. Discover why the Stryker is going to be a mainstay in the Army for many years.
The Sea Dragon is the largest and heaviest helicopter in the United States military. It can transport troops and haul cargo. It is also used to detect and blow up mines in dangerous waters. Read about the history of the Sea Dragon, the tools it uses to detect mines, and its role in keeping our waters safe.
Initially developed to provide close air support for ground vehicles and troops, the A-10 has become an extremely valuable tool for the United States Air Force. Students will discover its history, technology, and role in the Air Force today.
The Apache Helicopter is one of the most versatile vehicles in the military. Its powerful weaponry and maneuverability make it a formidable foe on the battlefield. Young readers will explore the technology that makes the Apache ideal for fighting on the front line.
A special operations force of the Army, Delta Force performs many important missions during wartime and peacetime. Young readers will learn why this special force remains top secret, what kinds of missions Deltas go on, and what it is like to be a Delta.
Flying the latest military aircraft and patrolling the air are just part of the job of the United States Air Force. Learn about the technology behind the aircraft and the men and women who operate them.
The United States has over 12,000 miles of coastline that needs to be defended. Students will learn about daily life in the Coast Guard and how members patrol the shores and ports to keep our nation safe.
The Marines have a reputation as one of the most well-disciplined and feared fighting forces on the planet. Students will find out how someone joins this elite group, what tools Marines use to complete missions, and the training people must endure to become Marines.
The United States Navy patrols oceans and seas all over the world. It uses a variety of ships and tools to patrol and keep people safe. Readers will learn about the fleet of ships the Navy uses to handle a variety of missions.
The F-22 Raptor might be the most advanced fighter plane in the world. Using stealth technology, it can carry out ground attack missions, electronic warfare missions, and dominate the skies. Students will discover the weapons and technology that allow the F-22 Raptor to complete these missions with ease.
Military helicopters perform a variety of missions for armed forces around the world. Some of these helicopters are capable of speeds approaching 200 miles per hour! Readers will discover the history, technology, and future of the world's fastest military helicopters.
A look at potential future developments in warfare, including advancements in robot technology, as well as satellite-guided bombs and other technologies that are currently considered state-of-the-art.
This title explores the development and use of unmanned aerial vehicles, or remotely piloted aircraft, more commonly known as drones. Readers will follow the history of the origins and development of the incredible military technology behind UAVs such as the Predator Drone, the Wasp Micro-Air Vehicle, the Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle, the hand-launched remote control RQ-11 Raven for field troops, and the long-endurance hunter-killer MQ-9 Reaper. Chapters detail their military and performance specifications as well as their features and advantages in the field (including their cameras, sensors, control systems, and weapons) and their pilots (often sitting on the other side of the world). Readers will also learn about their use in significant combat and surveillance missions throughout the Middle East and in other countries. Includes spec boxes and other text features.
This title explores the recent development of the new F35 Lighting II multirole fighter. Readers will follow the history of its origins as a descendant of the X-35 and product of the Joint Striker Fighter Program. Chapters also detail the aircraft's military and performance specifications as well as its features and advantages in the field, such as its three versions, its cockpit design and speech-recognition system, its stealth technology, its target sensors, and its powerful cannons, missiles, and other weapons.
This title explores the development and use of the US Navy's muli-role F/A-18 Super Hornet strike fighter. Readers will follow the history of its origins from the F/A-18 Hornet. Chapters also detail the aircraft's military and performance specifications as well as its features and advantages in the field, such as its flight range, its digital control-by-wire flight control system, its engine, its stealth technology, its aerial refueling system, and its many powerful guns, missiles, and bombs.
This title explores the development and use of the nearly undetectable B-2 Spirit heavy bomber. Readers will follow the history of its origins and the development of its stealth technology. Chapters detail the aircraft's military and performance specifications as well as its features and advantages in the field, such as its wing design, its concealed engines, its radar signature, and its powerful bombs. Readers will also learn about the Spirit's use in the Kosovo War, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, and other significant combat and peacekeeping missions.
This title explores the development and use of the A-10 Thunderbolt II, the first US Air Force aircraft specially designed for close air support of ground forces. Readers will follow the history of the aircraft, and learn its military and performance specifications, as well as its features and advantages in the field. Readers will learn about its weapon systems including general purpose bombs, cluster bomb units, laser guided bombs, joint direct attack munitions, missiles, rockets, illumination flares, and cannons. Features such as Night Vision Imaging Systems, titanium armor, self-sealing fuel cells, and hydraulic flight-control systems are detailed. The Warthog's two non-after burning turbofan engines are also covered, as are the achievements and future of this important aircraft.
This title explores the development and use of the AC-130H/U Gunship. Readers will follow the history of the aircraft and learn about its military and performance specifications, as well as its advantages in the field. Features such as side-firing weapons, sophisticated television and infrared sensors, navigation and fire control systems and synthetic aperture strike radar are detailed. Readers will learn about the AC-130's navigational devices, which include inertial navigation systems and global positioning systems. Readers will discover the aircraft's operational use in the Vietnam War, Operation Urgent Fury, and Operation Desert Storm and learn about its weapon systems including cannons and autocannons.
This title explores the development and use of the B-52 Stratofortress. Readers will follow the history of this long-range, heavy bomber and learn about its military and performance specifications. Features such as its bombing navigational computer and terrain computer, and its Electro-Optical Viewing System and GPS are detailed. Readers will learn about its weapon systems including the aircraft's mixture of bombs and air-launched cruise missiles, machine guns, cannon, advanced electronic systems, and terrain-avoidance radar. Readers will discover the aircraft's operational use in the Vietnam War and the Persian Gulf War. The Big Ugly Fat Fellow's eight engines are covered, as are the achievements and future of this important aircraft.
This title explores the development and use of the F-22 Raptor. Readers will follow the history of this stealth fighter aircraft, and learn about its military and performance specifications. Features such as its BAE Systems, radar-warning receiver, Infra-Red and Ultra-Violet Missile Approach warning systems, and radar are covered. Readers will learn about the weapon systems including compressed-carriage medium and short-range missiles. The F-22's dual afterburning Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 turbofan engines are covered, as are the achievements and future of this important aircraft.
