Editing Military aircraft (section)

=={{Anchor|Non-combat aircraft}} Non-combat==
Non-combat roles of military aircraft include [[search and rescue]], [[Aerial reconnaissance|reconnaissance]], [[Surveillance aircraft|observation/surveillance]], [[Airborne early warning and control|Airborne Early Warning and Control]], [[Military transport aircraft|transport]], [[trainer (aircraft)|training]], and [[aerial refueling]].

Many civil aircraft, both fixed wing and rotary wing, have been produced in separate models for military use, such as the civilian [[Douglas DC-3]] airliner, which became the military [[C-47 Skytrain]], and British "Dakota" transport planes, and decades later, the USAF's [[Douglas AC-47 Spooky|AC-47 Spooky]] gunships. Even the fabric-covered two-seat [[Piper J-3 Cub]] had a military version. [[Military glider|Glider]]s and [[observation balloon|balloon]]s have also been used as military aircraft; for example, balloons were used for observation during the [[American Civil War]] and during [[World War I]], and [[military glider]]s were used during [[World War II]] to deliver ground troops in [[airborne forces|airborne assault]]s. 

===Military transport===
[[File:EGLF - Airbus A400M Atlas - EC-400 (28629053357).jpg|upright=0.9|thumb| [[Airbus A400M Atlas]] [[transport aircraft]]]]
{{Main|Military transport aircraft|Military glider}}

Military transport (logistics) aircraft are primarily used to transport troops and war supplies. Cargo can be attached to pallets, which are easily loaded, secured for flight, and quickly unloaded for delivery. Cargo also may be discharged from flying aircraft on [[parachute]]s, eliminating the need for landing. Also included in this category are [[List of tanker aircraft (aerial refueling)|aerial tankers]]; these planes can refuel other aircraft while [[Aerial refueling|in flight]]. An example of a transport aircraft is the [[C-17 Globemaster III]]. A World War II example would be the [[C-47]]. An example of a tanker craft would be the [[KC-135 Stratotanker]]. [[Military transport helicopter|Transport helicopters]] and [[Military glider|gliders]] can transport troops and supplies to areas where other aircraft would be unable to land.
Calling a military transport aircraft a "cargo plane" is inaccurate, because military transport planes are able to carry [[paratrooper]]s and other personnel.

===Airborne early warning and control===
[[File:Royal_Air_Force_(RAF)_E-3D_Sentry_AEW1_(airborne_early_warning)_aircraft,_registration_ZH106,_taking_part_in_Exercise_Taurus_Mountain_3,_in_the_skies_over_North_Yorkshire_in_March_2012_-_MOD_45153803_(cropped).jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|[[Boeing E-3 Sentry]] [[airborne early warning and control|AEW&C]] aircraft]]
{{Main|Airborne early warning and control}}

An airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system is an airborne radar system designed to detect aircraft, ships and ground vehicles at long ranges and control and command the battle space in an air engagement by directing fighter and attack aircraft strikes. AEW&C units are also used to carry out surveillance, including over ground targets and frequently perform C2BM (command and control, battle management) functions similar to an Airport Traffic Controller given military command over other forces. Used at a high altitude, the radars on the aircraft allow the operators to distinguish between friendly and hostile aircraft hundreds of miles away. 

AEW&C aircraft are used for both defensive and offensive air operations, and are to the NATO and American  trained or integrated air forces what the [[combat information center]] is to a [[Naval ship|naval vessel]], plus a highly mobile and powerful radar platform. The system is used offensively to direct fighters to their target locations, and defensively in order to counterattacks by enemy forces, both air and ground. So useful is the advantage of command and control from a high altitude, the United States Navy operates AEW&C aircraft off its Supercarriers to augment and protect its carrier [[combat information center]] (CICs). AEW&C is also known by the older terms "airborne early warning" (AEW) and "airborne warning and control system" (AWACS,  /ˈeɪwæks/ ay-waks) although AWACS is the name of [[Boeing E-3 Sentry|a specific system]] currently used by NATO and the USAF and is often used in error to describe similar systems.

===Reconnaissance and surveillance===
[[File:MQ-4C Triton Test Flight with Multi-Intelligence Upgrade.jpg|upright=0.9|thumb|[[MQ-4C Triton]] [[reconnaissance aircraft]]]]
{{Main|Reconnaissance aircraft|Surveillance aircraft|Liaison aircraft|Unmanned aerial vehicle|Unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance aerial vehicle}}

Reconnaissance aircraft are primarily used to gather intelligence. They are equipped with cameras and other sensors. These aircraft may be specially designed or may be modified from a basic fighter or bomber type. This role is increasingly being filled by [[military satellites]] and [[unmanned aerial vehicles]] (UAVs). Surveillance and observation aircraft use radar and other sensors for battlefield surveillance, [[Airborne early warning|airspace surveillance]], [[maritime patrol]], and [[artillery spotting]].  They include modified civil aircraft designs, moored balloons and UAVs.

===Experimental===
{{Main|Experimental aircraft}}
Experimental aircraft are designed in order to test advanced aerodynamic, structural, avionic, or propulsion concepts. These are usually well instrumented, with performance data telemetered on radio-frequency data links to ground stations located at the test ranges where they are flown. An example of an experimental aircraft is the [[Bristol 188]].