A-10 Thunderbolt II
|
 The
A-10, known as the Warthog to its pilots and crews, is a
twin-engine single seat tank killer airplane. The airplane
is built around a 30mm gatling gun cannon which fires depleted
Uranium bullets. For additional information: A-10. Also
see the Tom Clancy Guided Tour series book Airborne which
has a section about the A-10. |
|
|
 The
Intruder has now been retired from service after having served
as the primary carrier borne strike aircraft for the U.S.
Navy since 1970. The plane was capable of carrying
approximately 10,000 pounds of ordance within a combat radius
of 1,000 miles. The A-6 airframe is still in use with
the EA-6B Prowler electric warfare aircraft. For additional
information: A-6E
Intruder. |
Ada Computer Programming Language
|
The Ada computer programming language is a
comprehensive high level programming language especially
suited for the professional development of large or critical
programs for which correctness and robustness are major considerations. It
is particularly well suited for military applications as
the United States Army was one of the driving forces behind
the original creation of Ada. Skip Tyler used Ada to
program the Cray Supercomputer in HfRO. For additional
information: Ada
Programming Language. |
AIM-9 Sidewinder
|
 The
AIM-9 Sidewinder is a heat-seeking, short-range, air-to-air
missile generally carried by fighter aircraft although P-3
patrol planes and some helicopters are fitted with this missile. For
additional information: AIM-9
Sidewinder. |
|
|
 A
long-range radar guided missile, the Phoenix is quite large
at over 1,000 pounds and has a reported range of over 100
nm (184 km). For additional information: AIM-54
Phoenix |
Air Force One (VC-25A)
|
 Air
Force One is the generic term assigned to two heavily modified
747's utilized for transport of the U.S. President. In
reality, any plane carrying the President is referred to
as Air Force One (including VC-20's and VC-9's which have
been used extensively with President Clinton due to his visitation
to smaller airports). For additional information: U.S.
Air Force VC-25A fact sheet Alternate: Boeing's
Air Force One Data Sheet. The picture used is Air
Force One landing at the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport
for the airport dedication (my home area). |
Aircraft Carrier
|
Some of the largest ships ever built, aircraft
carriers are specifically intended to provide for the launching
and recovery of aircraft. See Carriers
and Naval Aircraft in this FAQ. For a complete
tour of an aircraft carrier, though, see the Tom Clancy Guided
Tour series book Carrier. |
Alfa Class Attack Submarine
|
A nuclear powered Russian/Soviet attack submarine
built for speed. The Alfas were capable of 41 knots. The
V.K. Konovalov in Hunt for Red October was an Alfa. For
additional information: http://www.bellona.no/e/russia/nfl/705.htm. |
America, U.S.S.
|
Recently decommissioned, USS America (CV-66)
was a conventionally powered supercarrier. See Carriers
and Naval Aircraft in this FAQ. For a complete
tour of an aircraft carrier, though, see the Tom Clancy Guided
Tour series book Carrier. |
|
|
The AN-26 is a Russian transport aircraft with
twin turboprops and a five ton load limit. For additional
information: AN-26. |
|
|
 The
AV-8B is the United States Marines version of the British
Harrier. The Harrier was originally designed to provide
fast, effective, close air support for ground troops. The
aircraft can carry about 13,000 lbs. of ordnance. For
additional information, see the Tom Clancy Guided Tour series
book Marine or this link: Boeing
AV-8B Harrier II Plus. |
B-1B Lancer Bomber
|
The B-1 was originally developed for delivery
of nuclear ordnance and is a low-level penetrating bomber. As
the Cold War ended, the bomber was reconfigured for conventional
bombing and has proven to be an asset in that role. For
additional information: B-1B
Lancer bomber Alternate: Boeing's
B-1B Data Sheet |
B-2 Spirit
|
 Like
the B-1B, the B-2 was originally designed for nuclear ordnance
delivery. Only 21 have been constructed with the average
cost reported as $1 Billion each. The B-2 is now being
used in conventional roles with its combat debut in the Kosovo
bombing campaign. For additional information: B-2
Spirit bomber Alternate: Northrup
Grumman's B-2 Data Sheet Another Alternate: Boeing's
B-2 Data Sheet (Boeing is a subcontractor to Northrup
Grumman). The Discovery Channel has an extensive page
including cockpit shots (and a surround video): Discovery
Online: Mission Invisible. |
|
|
 One
of the oldest serving aircraft in the United States Air Force,
the B-52 is an eight-engine jet bomber first deployed in
the 1950's. The B-52 can carry as much as 70,000 lbs.
of ordnance for 6,000 miles at an average speed of approximately
600 knots. For additional information: B-52
Bomber. |
Belknap Class Cruisers
|
Belknap Class U.S. Navy cruisers, including
USS Biddle (CG-34) and USS Wainwright (CG-28), have been
decommissioned. These were some of the first guided
missile cruisers in the U.S. Navy. For additional information
about USS Biddle: http://www.netins.net/showcase/kensnavypage/. |
Bremerton, U.S.S.
|
A Los Angeles Class (688) submarine. Bremerton
is designated SSN-698. It is one of the first flight
boats. Bremerton recently (March 12, 1999) achieved
some fame by firing a torpedo at a grounded freighter off
the Oregon coast in an effort to sink the hulk. See 688. |
|
|
The BTR-60 is an eight wheeled light armored
personnel carrier produced by the Soviet Union. It
was first introduced in the late 1950's and is still in use
today. For additional information: BTR-60 |
C-141 Starlifter
|
Currently the four-jet air transport workhorse
of the United States Air Force. The C-141 was first
developed in 1965 although the current C-141B entered service
in 1979. The aircraft has a range of approximately
4,000 miles carrying 75,000 pounds of cargo or 130 troops. For
additional information: C-141. Also
see the Tom Clancy Guided Tour series book Airborne which
has a section about the C-141. |
C-17 Globemaster III
|
 The
C-17 is one of the newest additions to the USAF inventory
and is quickly proving itself as the premier airlifter. Capable
of carrying one M1 tank (whereas the C-5 can carry two),
the C-17 is still in production and new squadrons are being
created. The C-17 saw extensive service in the Kosovo/Yugoslavia
conflicts. For additional information: C-17A
Globemaster III transport Alternate: Boeing's
C-17 Data Sheet. Also see the Tom Clancy Guided
Tour series book Airborne which
has a rather extensive section about the C-17. |
|
|
  The
C-5A is not the largest jet airplane transport in the World
(a Russian aircraft holds that honor), but it is the largest
airlifter available to the United States Air Force. The
C-5 went through a rocky start when first introduced in 1970. The
improved C-5B version first entered service in 1986. For
additional information: C-5
Galaxy. Also see the Tom Clancy Guided Tour series
book Airborne which has
a section about the C-5. |
|
|
See H-53. |
Cray Supercomputers
|
Cray Supercomputers are the leading supercomputer
in the World today. These computers now exceed 60 billion
calculations per second and are best suited for vector applications. In HfRO,
the Cray is used as it is fast enough to run a simulation
of the theorized propulsion system of Red October. For
additional information: Cray
Supercomputers overview. |
|
|
This is the designation for a nuclear powered
aircraft carrier in the United States Navy. See Carriers
and Naval Aircraft in this FAQ. For a complete
tour of an aircraft carrier, though, see the Tom Clancy Guided
Tour series book Carrier. |
Dallas, U.S.S.
|
A Los Angeles Class (688) submarine. Dallas
is designated SSN-700. It is one of the first flight
boats and does not have the 12 VLS tubes (for firing Tomahawk
cruise missiles). See 688. |
Delta Class Ballistic
Missile Submarine
|
There were actually four different classes
of Delta ballistic missile submarines. Each carry between
12 and 16 SLBM's. The Delta's are briefly described
in the Tom Clancy Guided Tour series book Submarine. For
additional information: Delta
I, Delta
II, Delta
III, Delta
IV. |
DSRV (Deep Submergence
Rescue Vehicle)
|
The United States Navy constructed two DSRV's
in 1971 to provide a capability to rescue sailors off sunken
submarines. The DSRV's (named Mystic and Avalon are
homeported in San Diego but can be loaded onto a C-5 Galaxy
transport aircraft and be ready for use within 24 hours of
receiving a call. Up to 24 rescuees can be carried
at a time with three crew members. For additional information: U.S.
Navy DSRV fact file page. |
