Born out of the Cold War, the F-15 Eagle is the United States' undisputed king of winged-fighters. Undefeated for over 30 years, this aircraft dominated the skies in conflict from Lebanon to American operations in Kosovo.
Dubbed the 'black death' by enemies, the Apache attack helicopter's presence has cast a shadow of fear over the battlefield for more than two decades. In a tale of controversy and triumph, this aircraft overcame a turbulent period of crashes to become one of the most trusted and lethal weapons in the sky. From its combat debut in Panama to action during the Arab Spring, the skilled crews, cutting-edge technology and unmatched arsenal have helped make the Apache the ultimate war machine.
Part plane, part helicopter, the V-22 Osprey is one of a kind but the history of this aerial transformer has not been without trauma considering the billions of dollars spent on development and the dozens of lives lost. Now, after over a decade of political turmoil and media scrutiny, the Osprey is rising from the ashes. This is the story behind the masterful engineering and unwavering dedication of servicemen and women that have helped transform this aircraft into a combat-hardened lifesaver.
The A-10 Thunderbolt II was made for durability and power. With seeming indestructibility, it can destroy armoured vehicles, tanks and even buildings with remarkable accuracy, all the while protecting American troops on the ground.
Electronic warfare aircraft; the EA-6B Prowler; the EA-18G Growler.
For decades, the Black Hawk has played a role in nearly every American conflict and is used all over the globe. This is the inside story of how the military workhorse got off the ground and became a multi-mission lifesaver. The programme reveals how its pilots and engineers learned from setbacks and tragedies to expand the Black Hawk's capabilities, thus improving its capacity to move soldiers in and out of the heat of battle.
Beau Weaver
Narrator
Rob Naughton
Tim Evans
Producer
Brian Armstrong
Christine Fitzpatrick