What do air force fighter pilots do?

Answer 1

The evolution of the fighter plane:

1. WWI the fighters tried to destroy (shoot down) enemy observation airplanes (artillery spotters); this resulted in aerial combat (dog-fights). Further developing into fighter planes to protect spotting planes...like an escort fighter.

2. WWII fighters were termed, in the US, Pursuit planes (like the P-40 Warhawk). These were actually interceptors, designed to fight other fighters (escorting bombers), and to shoot down bombers.

3. Korean War; same thing, only using jets.

4. Vietnam War; used technology and jets designed and manufactured during the height of the cold war (1950's); with the exception of the US Navy's A-7 Corsair II, which was designed and built during the Vietnam War. These US jet aircraft were DESIGNED to intercept and destroy Soviet (Russian) bombers over the continental United States. Interceptors such as: F-100 Super Sabre; F-101 Voodoo; F-102 Delta Dagger; F-104 Starfighter; (ONLY the F-105 Thunderchief was designed to be both a fighter & bomber). Interceptors designed to protect the US Navy fleets were: F-8 Crusader and the F-4 Phantom II; US Navy fighter bombers were the A-4 Skyhawk and A-7 Corsair II; the US Navy's MEDIUM all weather attack bomber was the A-6 Intruder. All of these jets were designed and built to protect the fleet.

Vietnam changed all of that. ALL OF THE ABOVE described jets were used as FIGHTER-BOMBERs in the Vietnam War. Even the delta winged F-102 Delta Dagger and the "missile with a man in it" (the nickname of the F-104 Starfighter). The Fighter-Bomber version of the Starfighter was the F-104C model.

Because of the Vietnam War; all 21st century jets now have multi-role missions: they have missiles for aerial combat; they have guns (thanks to the Vietnam experience) for close range dog-fighting; they have hard points for carrying bombs (ordnance) for close air support (airstrikes; dropping bombs).

So, fighter planes have evolved from being strictly fighter planes to FIGHTER-BOMBERS (multi-role).

Answer 2

When aircraft where first used in WWI, the purpose of fighter pilots was to gain air superiority; so that aerial reconnaissance could be conducted (then later ground attacking). Air superiority was gained by shooting down the enemy's planes. If fighter pilots, from both sides, could not gain that superiority, then recon/ground attack could not be accomplished. By WWII, the mission of fighter pilots was the same (air superiority); modified to intercept and destroy bombers (and recon flights). This entailed being able to engage and defeat the bomber/scout plane's fighter escort. Therefore, the fighter pilot had the "mission" to engage and defeat enemy fighter planes in order to reach/destroy the bombers/scouts (recon). Atomic age (post 1945): The mission of fighter pilots was again air superiority, primarily by interception of enemy bombers and recon (scout) flights. Again, fighter pilots had to be able to engage and destroy enemy fighters in order to reach their targets...bombers/scouts. Korean War: Fighter pilot missions-defend US bombers/scouts by maintaining air superiority...aerial jet combat against MiG-15s. As well as fighter-bomber roles, attacking ground targets. Vietnam War: Fighter pilot missions-defend US bombers/scouts by maintaining air superiority...aerial jet combat against MiG-17s, MiG-19s, and MiG-21s. As well as fighter-bomber roles, attacking ground targets.

Answer 3

A fighter pilot is an aviator that mans a fighter plane designed to carry either himself or two crewmen, and whose aircraft was designed to shoot down enemy aircraft.