Lockheed chose the revolutionary 15,000 pound thrust J-79 engine to power the XF-104, making it the first US production engine designed for Mach 2 flight. However, the jet's massive T-tail made upward ...

Equipped with the M61 Vulcan and downward ejection seats, the F-104 was both groundbreaking and terrifying. One pilot set an altitude record over 103,000ft, by shutting off his engine mid-flight.

The ACES II ejection seat ensured that two US airmen shot down over Iran could make it safely to the ground—though this was only the first step in the rescue... Ejector seats are designed to be as ...

The ACES II ejection seat ensured that two US airmen shot down over Iran could make it safely to the ground—though this was only the first step in the rescue effort. A US Air Force F-15E was shot down ...