Evolution of air inlets showing the wide variety of configurations adopted over the years.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dassault Mirage G.8 - ФранцияFrance - 1967Eurofighter Typhoon / EF-2000 - InternationalInternational - 1994General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark - СШАUSA - 1964Grumman F11F Tiger - СШАUSA - 1954Grumman F-14 Tomcat - СШАUSA - 1970Lockheed F-22 Raptor - СШАUSA - 1990Lockheed YF-12 - СШАUSA - 1963McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet - СШАUSA - 1986McDonnell Douglas F/A-18E Super Hornet - СШАUSA - 1995McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II - СШАUSA - 1958North American A-5 Vigilante - СШАUSA - 1958SEPECAT Jaguar - InternationalInternational - 1969МиГ МиГ-25 / МиГ-25Р - РоссияRussia - 1964МиГ МиГ-29 - РоссияRussia - 1977Сухой Су-37 Терминатор - РоссияRussia - 1996

Su-37 Flanker-derivative with thrust vector control nozzles on its Lyulka-Saturn AL-37FU turbofans demonstrated a somersault manoeuvre at the 1996 Farnborough Airshow. The nozzles, currently made of steel, will be of titanium on production versions and operate 75° in pitch only at 30°/sec.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Сухой Су-37 Терминатор - РоссияRussia - 1996

Ground testing of the P&W/Low Observable Axisymmetric Nozzle (LOAN) was completed recently on an F-16. The LOAN provides a significant reduction in radar cross section and IR signature emissions from the engine through geometrical shaping, an advanced cooling system and special coatings on internal and external structures. The nozzle has potential applications on the Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter and the world’s fleet of F-16s.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: General Dynamics F-16A/C/E Fighting Falcon - СШАUSA - 1974

The ability of an aircraft to supercruise will not only stretch combat radius but forces an adversary to expend his own fuel in order to get his aircraft to an energy state where he can engage. Both Lockheed Martin’s F-22 and Eurofighter’s EF2000 will be able to supercruise in the Mach 1.4-1.5 region. The F-22’s Pratt & Whitney F119 turbofan’s twin spools counter-rotate to reduce the gyroscopic moments set up in high angular rate manoeuvres. Illustrated here is one of the YF-22 prototypes.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed F-22 Raptor - СШАUSA - 1990

As if intake designers did not have enough to cope with in providing smooth, distortion free air to the engine; the MiG-29 has intake guards deployed during taxiing, take-off and landing to protect the engine from foreign object damage. While the guards are in place, air is fed to the engine through grills in the upper wing root.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: МиГ МиГ-29УБ - РоссияRussia - 1981

Proposed for the air-defence of the UK, the mixed-powerplant Saunders-Roe SR53 was powered by a de Havilland Spectre rocket engine operating on hydrogen peroxide and kerosene, controllable within the range 4.4-35.0kN. Endurance was provided by a 44kN thrust Armstrong Siddeley Viper lightweight turbojet. This and its SR177 descendant fell victim to the 1957 Defence White Paper.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Saunders-Roe SR.53 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1957

Variation in air intake geometry of the F-15 obtainable by means of a moveable ramp (total movement of 15°) is clearly seen in this photograph taken during pre-flight checks. This four-shock intake gives optimum intake capture area throughout the Eagle’s flight envelope.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: McDonnell Douglas F-15B/D Eagle - СШАUSA - 1972