Modern Military Aviation

All the roles and missions of modern air power were defined during World War I and refined during World War II: maintaining air superiority, performing reconnaissance, providing close support for ground forces, ensuring logistical support, and executing strategic attacks. Innovations in aviation technology have changed the nature of air warfare. Such modern aircraft as the Lockheed Martin X-35B STOVL on view carry weapons far more accurate than the bombs dropped in World War II, and far fewer aircraft and weapons are needed to destroy or disable targets.