Aircraft carrier

An aircraft carrier is a warship with a full-length flight deck and facilities for carrying, arming, deploying, and recovering aircraft, that serves as a seagoing airbase.Typically, it is the capital ship of a fleet, as it allows a naval force to project air power worldwide without depending on local bases for staging aircraft operations. It is extremely expensive to build and important to protect. Aircraft carriers have evolved from converted cruisers to nuclear-powered warships that carry numerous fighter planes, strike aircraft, helicopters, and other types of aircraft.

There is no single definition of an "aircraft carrier". and modern navies use several variants of the type. These variants are sometimes categorized as sub-types of aircraft carriers, and sometimes as distinct types of aviation-capable ships. Aircraft carriers may be classified according to the type of aircraft they carry and their operational assignments. Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, former head of the Royal Navy, has said that "To put it simply, countries that aspire to strategic international influence have aircraft carriers".

Carriers have evolved since their inception in the early twentieth century from wooden vessels used to deploy balloons to nuclear-powered warships that carry dozens of aircraft, including fighter jets and helicopters. As of 16 February 2014, there are thirty-seven active aircraft carriers in the world within twelve navies. The United States Navy has ten large nuclear-powered carriers, known as supercarriers, carrying up to ninety aircraft, the largest carriers in the world. As well as the supercarrier fleet, the US Navy has nine amphibious assault ships used primarily for helicopters; these can also carry up to twenty-five fighter jets, and in some cases are as large as some other nations' fixed-wing carriers.

History of the aircraft carrier 

Balloon carriers were the first ships to deploy manned aircraft, used during the 19th and early 20th century, mainly for observation purposes. The advent of fixed-wing aircraft in 1903 was followed in 1910 by the first flight from the deck of a US Navy cruiser. Seaplanes and seaplane tender support ships, such as HMS Engadine, followed. The development of flat top vessels produced the first large fleet ships. This evolution was well underway by the early to mid-1920s, resulting in the commissioning of ships such as Hōshō (1922), HMS Hermes (1924), Béarn (1927), and the Lexington-class aircraft carriers (1927).

Most early aircraft carriers were conversions of ships that were laid down (or had even served) as different ship types: cargo ships, cruisers, battlecruisers, or battleships. During the 1920s, several navies started ordering and building aircraft carriers that were specifically designed as such. This allowed the design to be specialized to their future role, and resulted in superior ships. During the Second World War, these ships would become the backbone of the carrier forces of the US, British, and Japanese navies, known as fleet carriers.

World War II saw the first large-scale use of aircraft carriers and induced further refinement of their launch and recovery cycle leading to several design variants. The USA built small escort carriers, such as USS Bogue, as a stop-gap measure to provide air support for convoys and amphibious invasions. Subsequent light aircraft carriers, such as USS Independence, represented a larger, more "militarized" version of the escort carrier concept. Although the light carriers usually carried the same size air groups as escort carriers, they had the advantage of higher speed as they had been converted from cruisers under construction.

The earliest recorded instance of using a ship for airborne operations occurred in 1806, when Lord Cochrane of the Royal Navy launched kites from the 32-gun frigate HMS Pallas in order to drop propaganda leaflets.

The proclamations against Napoleon Bonaparte, written in French, were attached to kites, and the kite strings were set alight; when the strings had burned through, the leaflets landed on French soil 

The invention of the seaplane in March 1910—with the French Le Canard—led to development of the earliest ship designed as an aircraft carrier, albeit limited to aircraft equipped with floats: in December 1911 appears the French Navy Foudre, the first seaplane carrier. Commissioned as a seaplane tender, and carrying seaplanes under hangars on the main deck, from where they were lowered onto the sea with a crane, she participated in tactical exercises in the Mediterranean in 1912. Foudre was further modified in November 1913 with a 10 meter flat deck to launch her seaplanes.

HMS Hermes, temporarily converted as an experimental seaplane carrier in April–May 1913, was also one of the first seaplane carriers, and the first experimental seaplane carrier of the Royal Navy. She was originally laid down as a merchant ship, but was converted on the building stocks to be a seaplane carrier for a few trials in 1913, before being converted again to a cruiser, and back again to a seaplane carrier in 1914. She was sunk by a German submarine in October 1914. The first seaplane tender of the US Navy was the USS Mississippi, converted to that role in December 1913.

 In September 1914, during World War I, in the Battle of Tsingtao, the Imperial Japanese Navy seaplane carrier Wakamiya conducted the world's first successful naval-launched air raids.It lowered four Maurice Farman seaplanes into the water using its crane. These seaplanes later took off to bombard German forces, and were retrieved back from the surface afterwards

History of submarines

The history of submarines covers the historical chronology and facts related to submarines, manned autonomous boats that operate underwater. It includes the history of "submersibles", which were designed primarily to operate on the surface, and midget submarines, but not unmanned underwater vehicles.

In the 19th century torpedoes were launched from surface "torpedo boats", but these were susceptible to gunfire, as they had to close to a short range to launch. There was a requirement for a "submarine torpedo boat", which was eventually shortened to "submarine".

Early submarines 

The concept of an underwater boat has roots deep in antiquity. Although there are images of men using hollow sticks to breathe underwater for hunting at the temples at Thebes, the first known military use occurred during the siege of Syracuse (about 413 BC), where divers were used to clear obstructions according to the History of the Peloponnesian War. At the siege of Tyre in 332 BC divers were again used by Alexander the Great, according to Aristotle. Later legends from Alexandria, Egypt, in the 12th century AD suggested that he had used a primitive submersible for reconnaissance missions. This seems to have been a form of diving bell, and was depicted in a 16th-century Islamic painting.

Although there were various plans for submersibles or submarines made during the Middle Ages, the Englishman William Bourne designed one of the first workable prototype submarine in 1578. His idea ultimately never got beyond the planning stage. The first submersible to be actually built in modern times was constructed in 1605 by Magnus Pegelius. It's fate was to become buried in mud.

The first successful submarine was built in 1620 by Cornelius Jacobszoon Drebbel, a Dutchman in the service of James I of England - it may have been based on Bourne's design. It was propelled by oars and is thought to have incorporated floats with tubes to allow air down to the rowers. The precise nature of the submarine type is a matter of some controversy; some claim that it was merely a bell towed by a boat. Two improved types were tested in the River Thames between 1620 and 1624

The first military submarine was Turtle in 1776, a hand-powered egg-shaped device designed by the American David Bushnell, to accommodate a single man. It was the first verified submarine capable of independent underwater operation and movement, and the first to use screws for propulsion.

In 1800, the French Navy built a human-powered submarine designed by Robert Fulton, the Nautilus. It also had a sail for use on the surface and so was the first known use of dual propulsion on a submarine. It proved capable of using mines to destroy two warships during demonstrations. The French eventually gave up with the experiment in 1804, as did the British, when Fulton later offered them the submarine design.

The Submarino Hipopótamo was the first submarine in South America built and tested in Ecuador on September 18, 1837. It was designed by Jose Rodriguez Lavandera, who successfully crossed the Guayas River in Guayaquil accompanied by Jose Quevedo. Rodriguez Lavandera had enrolled in the Ecuadorian Navy in 1823, becoming a Lieutenant by 1830. The Hipopotamo crossed the Guayas on two more occasions, but it was then abandoned because of lack of funding and interest from the government

The first submarine that did not rely on human power for propulsion was the French Navy submarine Plongeur, launched in 1863, and equipped with a reciprocating engine using compressed air from 23 tanks at 180 psi.[ In practice, the submarine was virtually unmanageable underwater, with very poor speed and maneouverability 

The turn of century era marked a pivotal time in the development of submarines, with a number of important technologies making their debut, as well as the widespread adoption and fielding of submarines by a number of nations. Diesel Electric propulsion would become the dominant power system and instruments such as the periscope would become standardized. Batteries were used for running underwater and gasoline (petrol) or diesel engines were used on the surface and to recharge the batteries. Early boats used gasoline but this quickly gave way to kerosene, then diesel, because of reduced flammability. Effective tactics and weaponry were greatly refined in the early part of the century, and the submarine would prove to have a large impact on 20th century warfare.

The Irish inventor John Philip Holland built a model submarine in 1876 and a full scale one in 1878, followed by a number of unsuccessful ones. In 1896 he designed the Holland Type VI submarine. This vessel made use of internal combustion engine power on the surface and electric battery power for submerged operations. Launched on 17 May 1897 at Navy Lt. Lewis Nixon's Crescent Shipyard in Elizabeth, New Jersey, the Holland VI was purchased by the United States Navy on 11 April 1900, becoming the United States Navy's first commissioned submarine and renamed USS Holland.[20]

A prototype version of the A-class submarine (Fulton) was developed at Crescent Shipyard under the supervision of naval architect and shipbuilder from the United Kingdom, Arthur Leopold Busch, for the newly reorganized Electric Boat Company in 1900. The Fulton was never commissioned by the United States Navy and was sold to the Imperial Russian Navy in 1905. The submarines were built at two different shipyards on both coasts of the United States. In 1902, Holland received U.S. Patent 708,553 for his relentless pursuit to perfect the modern submarine craft. Many countries became interested in Holland's (weapons) product and purchased "the rights" to build them during this time period.

The Royal Navy commissioned the Holland-class submarine from Vickers, Barrow-in-Furness, under licence from the Holland Torpedo Boat Company during the years 1901 to 1903. Construction of the boats took longer than anticipated, with the first only ready for a diving trial at sea on 6 April 1902. Although the design had been purchased entire from the US company, the actual design used was an untested improved version of the original Holland design using a new 180 hp petrol engine.

Meanwhile, the French steam and electric Narval was commissioned in June 1900 and introduced the classic double-hull design, with a pressure hull inside the outer shell. These 200-ton ships had a range of over 100 miles (160 km) underwater. The French submarine Aigrette in 1904 further improved the concept by using a diesel rather than a gasoline engine for surface power. Large numbers of these submarines were built, with seventy-six completed before 1914.Although small numbers of submarines were built for the French Navy, Russian Navy and the US Navy, by 1914 the main submarine powers were the Kriegsmarine if Imperial Germany and the Royal Navy.

Agni-VI

Agni-VI is an intercontinental ballistic missile being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the use of the Indian Armed Forces
Agni-VI will be a three-stage intercontinental ballistic missile, which is in the hardware development phase, after its design phase was completed. Agni VI is expected to have Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Warheads as well as Maneuverable Reentry Vehicle (MaRV). And these maneuverable warheads will give Agni VI an extended range exact figure of which is currently classified. It will be taller than its predecessor Agni V, and is expected to be flight tested by 2017
Till 2009, it was reported that the Government of India had not considered the development of an ICBM with a range of 10,000 km or above. Speculations of an ongoing program for a longer range ICBM resurfaced in 2011. Some reports claimed that the ICBM is already named "Surya" and code named AGNI-VI
In October 2011, a report published by The Pioneer raised doubts about DRDO's ability to independently develop the "seeker technology" (guidance technology) eligible for ICBMs, that could enable the missile to traverse long distances in excess of 10,000 km. The same report also asserted Russia's willingness to provide India with help in the field of "seeker technology". The authenticity of the pioneer report is disputed by at least one foreign newspaper, with the counter-claim that the involvement of Russia is probably inflated out of proportion, because if the report about Russian involvement is true, Russia may be suspected of violating the Missile Technology Control Regime
The SLBM version of missile will arm the Arihant class submarines of the Indian Navy. DRDO revealed in 2012 that it is also in the process of developing another variant of Agni-VI missile. This will be a submarine-launched solid-fuel missile with a maximum range of 6,000 kilometres and a payload of one tonne

Manufacturer    Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO),
Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)
Specifications
Weight    55,000[1] - 70,000 kg[2][3]
Length    20[2][3] - 40.00 m[1]
Diameter    1.1[1] - 2 m[2]

Effective firing range    6,000–8,000 kilometres (3,728–4,971 mi)[4][1][2]
Maximum firing range    10,000 kilometres (6,214 mi)[1][5][6]
Warhead weight    3 tonnes[4]

Engine    First/second stage solid, third liquid
Launch
 platform    8 x 8 Tatra TEL and rail mobile launcher (canisterised missile package) (Land-based Version)[4]

Arihant Class submarine (SLBM version)
Transport    Road or rail mobile (land-based variant)
 Submarine (sea-based variant)

Cruiser

A cruiser is a type of warship. The term has been in use for several hundred years, and has had different meanings throughout this period. During the Age of Sail, the term cruising referred to certain kinds of missions – independent scouting, raiding or commerce protection – fulfilled by a frigate or sloop, which were the cruising warships of a fleet.

From the middle of the 19th century, cruiser came to be a classification for the ships intended for this kind of role, though cruisers came in a wide variety of sizes, from the small protected cruiser to armored cruisers which were as large (though not as powerful) as a battleship.

By the early 20th century, cruisers could be placed on a consistent scale of warship size, smaller than a battleship but larger than a destroyer. In 1922, the Washington Naval Treaty placed a formal limit on cruisers, which were defined as warships of up to 10,000 tons displacement carrying guns no larger than 8 inches in calibre. These limits shaped cruisers up until the end of World War II. The very large battlecruisers of the World War I era were now classified, along with battleships, as capital ships.

In the later 20th century, the obsolescence of the battleship left the cruiser as the largest and most powerful surface combatant. The role of the cruiser varied according to ship and navy, often including air defense, commerce raiding and shore bombardment. The U.S. Navy in the Cold War period built guided-missile cruisers primarily designed to provide air defense, while the navy of the USSR built battlecruisers with heavy anti-ship missiles designed to sink NATO carrier task forces. Currently only three nations, the United States, Russia, and Peru (BAP Almirante Grau (CLM-81) while still in service with the Peruvian Navy), operate cruisers, though the line between cruisers and destroyers is once again blurred. New models of destroyers (for instance the Zumwalt class) are often larger and more powerful than cruiser classes they replace.

 Colt Canada / Diemaco C7 Assault Rifle

The C7 assault rifle stemmed from the Canadian decision to go with the NATO 5.56mm cartridge as the standard ammunition of the Canadian armed forces. The Colt-produced American-made M16A1 rifle became the base weapon of choice in 1984 (as the Colt Model 715) and this was then followed into production by the improved M16A2 variant - adopted into Canadian Army service as the "C7". While appearing outwardly similar to the American M16A2, differences in the C7 version are not readily apparent to the casual observer. However, notable modifications to the weapon do exist and serve to suit Canadian military requirements. Development and production went on to be divided between the Canadian Diemaco and American Colt concerns over the life of the weapon. In 2005, Colt Firearms purchased Diemaco creating the "Colt Canada Corporation" brand label.

 Unlike the American Army's M16A2, the Canadian C7 utilized a full-automatic fire mode - the American M16A2 instead making use of a three-round burst facility as well as single-shot fire. The C7 also sported a deflector at the ejection port that allowed for "pseudo-ambidextrous" operation, not favoring solely right-handed shooters. The C7 was given flip-up type sights for use in both short-range and long-range confrontations and the internal firing mechanism was designed to accept either the NATO SS109 or the US M193 cartridges, making the C7 adaptable to logistical needs. The gas operation, rotating bolt system of the M16 remained intact as did the overall design lines of the original American Colt product. The C7 featured a capable rate-of-fire of 700 to 900 rounds per minute and could sight out to 400 yards with optics (accurized versions reaching out to 600 yards). The C10 became a training version of the full-length C7 rifle, chambered for the .22 Long Rifle cartridge and available in semi-automatic fire only.
The C7A1 became the natural follow-up variant of the C7 with its most noticeable change being the lack of the integrated M16-style carrying handle. Instead, a Weaver rail mounting system was installed for use of various optics - primarily the 3.4x ELCAN C79 optical sight. Iron sights were retained to back-up the optics. The C7A2 then followed and featured changes based on operational service stemming from Canadian involvement in Afghanistan. Controls of this version were made truly ambidextrous while the stock was revised to be telescoping in nature. Three accessory rails were added to allow for items such as aimers and flashlights while an optical sight could be fitted over the receiver. These changes drastically broadened the tactical effectiveness of the C7 family.

 Sniper Rifles

Sniper Rifles are the lethal tools of a lethal trade, having evolved considerably from their rather modest beginnings.The sniper has been a common component to the battlefield since the rifle made its first appearance. The designs and capabilities of these weapon systems are similar and their abilities are further enhanced by the addition of specialized scopes, buttstock and bipod arrangements. However, the amount of training and experience separates the average sniper from the true marksman.
The sniper rifle has been a mainstay of the army for over a hundred years now. The sniper itself has become the ultimate assassin capable of avoiding detection, making his way to within a few hundred yards of his target, dispatching said target and returning to his extraction point - all the while going days without contact, communications or a healthy dose of sleep and eats. Ultimately, it is the designated sniper's responsibility to remove a targeted threat in the form of a high ranking official, military officer or rogue enemy element from being an effective part of the modern battlefield. It gives precedence to the old adage of removing the "head" of the snake to cut off support to the rest of the enemy army.
There are a total of 80 Sniper Rifles in the Military Factory. Entries are listed below in alphanumeric order. Flag images indicative of country of origin.

Arjun MBT

 ARJUN MAIN BATTLE TANK

The Arjun  is a third generation main battle tank developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), for the Indian Army. The tank is named for Arjun, a character in the Indian epic, Mahabharata.

The Arjun features a 120 mm main rifled gun with indigenously developed APFSDS ammunition, one 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun, and a 12.7 mm machine gun. It is powered by a single MTU multi-fuel diesel engine rated at 1,400 hp, and can achieve a maximum speed of 70 km/h (43 mph) and a cross-country speed of 40 km/h (25 mph). It has a four-man crew: commander, gunner, loader and driver. Automatic fire detection and suppression and NBC protection systems are included. All-round anti-tank warhead protection by the newly developed Kanchan armour is claimed to be much higher than available in comparable third generation tanks.

Subsequently delays and other problems in its development from the 1990s to the 2000s prompted the Indian Army to order T-90S tanks from Russia to meet requirements that the Arjun had been expected to fulfill.

In March 2010, the Arjun was pitted against the T-90 in comparative trials and performed well. Army placed an order for an additional 124 Arjun Mk-I tanks on 17 May 2010 and 124 Arjun Mk-II Tanks on 9 August 2010.
The Arjun entered service with the Indian Army in 2004.[16] The tanks were first inducted into the 43rd Armoured Regiment, Indian Army Armoured Corps, which was later built up to regiment strength in 2009,] while the latest induction has been into the 75th Armoured Regiment on 12 March 2011.
The DRDO, with its Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) as the main laboratory, was tasked to develop the hull, armour, turret, running gear and gun for the tank, with the powerpack being imported.

Although the development of the tank began in 1972 by the CVRDE, it was only in 1996 that the Indian government decided to mass-produce the tank at Indian Ordnance Factory's production facility in Avadi.
The DRDO, with its Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) as the main laboratory, was tasked to develop the hull, armour, turret, running gear and gun for the tank, with the powerpack being imported.

Although the development of the tank began in 1972 by the CVRDE, it was only in 1996 that the Indian government decided to mass-produce the tank at Indian Ordnance Factory's production facility in Avadi.
Armed with a 120 mm rifled gun, the Arjun is believed to be capable of firing APFSDS (kinetic energy penetrator) rounds, HE, HEAT, High Explosive Squash Head (HESH) rounds at the rate of 6-8 rounds per minute and the Israeli developed semi-active laser guided LAHAT missile. The LAHAT is a gun-launched missile and is designed to defeat both enemy armour and enemy combat helicopters. In addition, the Arjun is armed with a 12.7 mm AA machine gun and a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun. The Arjun can carry 39 rounds in special blast-proof canisters. The Arjun uses a manual loader and has a crewman to reload the gun.

The tank incorporates GPS-based navigation systems and sophisticated frequency hopping radios. The state-of-the-art Battlefield Management System, co-developed by DRDO and Ebit Israel, allows it to network with other fighting units. The Arjun has the capability to network with other tanks, thanks to its Battle Management System. In a search and engage operation, several Arjun tanks can monitor an opponent and his moves, and try to eliminate him in a chase or ambush

The turret and glacis are protected with "Kanchan" ("gold") modular composite armour, which derived its name from Kanchan Bagh, Hyderabad, where the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL) is located.

Kanchan is made by sandwiching composite panels between Rolled Homogenous Armor (RHA). This helps in defeating APFDS and HEAT rounds. Trials conducted in 2000, showcased the ability of Kanchan armour to protect the tank, even when hit at point blank range by a T-72. It also demonstrated the capability to defeat HESH and APFSDS rounds, which included the Israeli APFSDS rounds. A new honeycomb design of Non-Explosive and Non-Energetic Reactive Armour (NERA) along with Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) protection equipment along with, mine sweeps and an automatic fire fighting system are setup on the Arjun Mark II variant.

Sukhoi Su-35 fighter | Mysteries unfolded

Sukhoi Su-35 classified as heavy class super maneuverable 4++ combat aircraft NATO code named Flanker E.Once west considered as a mysterious fighter its actually an upgradation of Su-27 with aerodynamic refinements,enhanced avionics,greater range and more powerfull saturn 117s 3D TVC engines.The new aircraft has been thoroughly over hauled with a particular emphasis on airframe,avionics,propulsion and weapons system while maintaining a strong superficial resemblance to base model Su-27.extensive use of titanium alloys on the airframe bring it more strength and provide 6000 service hours/ 30 years of lifespan.

Su-35 features an advanced glass cockpit with two full-color multi function LC displays of MFI type.
Su-35's avioincs include powerful X-band multi-mode hybrid passive electroincally scanned array radar - Irbis E-it can track upto 30 aerial targets and engage 8 at a time.( range of over 400kms against 3m2 target size &90km against 0.01m2).Su-35's Irbis E radar can also perform aerial scanning while taking out ground targets simultaniously.Irbis E is also complemented by OLS-35 IRST to provide laser range finding,TV & Infra red detection over 90km range.(Note the fact that even stealth fighters are 'not invisible' to IRST)

The Su-35's weapons are  arranged in 14 hard points include longe range-short range A2A missiles,precision  guided- unguided A2G missiles, bombs,fuel-air bombs & rockets.Maximum 8 tons can be carried on these 14 hard points with a wing loading of 408 kg/m2.

Max.takeoff weight :34,500kg
Max.speed              :Mach 2.25
Ferry range             :4,500 km (with 2 external fuel tanks)
Service ceiling         :18,000m
Rate of climb           : >281 m/s

Avionics
Irbis E PESA
KNIRTI SAP14/518 jamming pods
OLS-35 IRST

Russian Airforce is its sole operator with 34 active aircrafts as of Feb.2014

First-generation jet fighter

Aircraft classified as first generation jet fighters are the first attempts at creation of military aircraft using jet engines. A few were developed during the closing days of World War II but saw very limited combat operations. The generation can be split into two broad groups: World War II era fighters such as the Me 262 and the Meteor and mature first generation fighters such as the F-86 used in the Korean War.

The "generations" of fighter aircraft are a relatively modern concept based on claims for "Fifth Generation". They are rough categories based on similar designs and do not correspond to a rigid definition.
The first operational turbojet aircraft, the He 178, was a German design that first flew in 1939. It was used as the basis of the later He 280, a design passed over for the Me 262. A similar British design, the Gloster E.28/39 had provisions for some armament, but the guns were not fitted on either prototype.
The plans for the first operational jet fighter, the Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe were drawn up in 1939, and the airplane first flew under jet power in 1942. The Me 262 was not operational until 1944, and its effectiveness was crippled by the deteriorating infrastructure of Nazi Germany; the advanced materials needed for its engines were in short supply. World War II ended before jet fighters were common. The United States and the United Kingdom also had jet fighters operational before the end of the war. The British Gloster Meteor twin-engined high speed fighter was used to intercept Germany's V-1 flying bombs missiles over the British Isles and not deployed for combat over Europe until 1945 but still kept away from occupied territory to prevent the technology being picked up by the Germans or Soviets. By 1946 16 RAF squadrons were equipped with Meteors. The American Lockheed P-80 entered service in the closing phases of the war and was deployed to Europe but arrived too late to see any combat.
Early jet engines had poor acceleration, and the FR Fireball was a mixed-propulsion aircraft with a propeller in front and a jet engine in the back designed for use on an aircraft carrier. The Russian Mikoyan-Gurevich I-250 and Sukhoi Su-5 were similar concepts but used a motorjet instead of a turbojet and were not designed for carrier use.

Further experiments after the war with mixed propulsion involving at least one turboprop powerplant included the XF2R Dark Shark and the XF-84H Thunderscreech, one of the loudest aircraft ever flown. The Thunderscreech, however, was a much later design, being a contemporary of the clearly second generation F-104 Starfighter. None of these hybrid-propulsion planes saw combat or major use, though the Fireball was used operationally for two years.