Description: Check out our store for more great new, vintage, and used items! FOR SALE: A retired and hard-to-find, armed forces-themed building block set 2015 BEST-LOCK CONSTRUCTION TOYS "MILITARY" 144-PIECE SET DETAILS: Includes 3 Air Force Mini Figures! Are you ready to join the ultimate construction adventure? We're thrilled to offer the 2015 Best-Lock Construction Toys "Military" set, a retired and highly sought-after building block set that's sure to delight both kids and adults alike. This incredible 144-piece set includes three military-themed mini figures and enough pieces to build not one, but TWO separate combat aircraft - a jet and a helicopter! The included mini figures are dressed in air combat gear, similar to what an Air Force pilot would wear. They're equipped with everything they need to take on their mission. With the included pieces, you can construct two separate combat aircraft: a jet and a helicopter. The helicopter resembles a U.S. military helicopter, similar to a Bell style attack helicopter. The jet resembles a U.S. military plane or jet, similar to a McDonnell Douglas (Boeing) style bomber or attack jet. The 2015 Best-Lock Construction Toys "Military" 144-piece set was a limited run set that was manufactured in 2015 and retired soon after in the same year. This means it's extremely hard to find and highly sought-after by collectors. Don't miss your chance to own this rare and exclusive collectible. The 144-pc. "Military" set from Best-Lock is a must-have for any fan of building blocks, military enthusiasts, or collectors of rare toys. Compatible With Many Building Block Toy Brands! Best-Lock Construction Toys are compatible with all the leading building block brands, including Lego, Minimates, BanBao, Cobi, Ionix, K'nex, Kre-O, Lite Brix, Mega Bloks, Oxford, Tyco Super Blocks, and many more. This means you can mix and match pieces with your existing collections to create even more amazing creations! CONDITION: New in box. Box has light storage wear. Please see photos. To ensure safe delivery all items are carefully packaged before shipping out. Thank you for looking. Questions? Just send us a message. *ALL PHOTOS AND TEXT ARE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF SIDEWAYS STAIRS CO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.* "Best-Lock Construction Toys is a brand of plastic building bricks that are compatible with Lego. Best-Lock Group Limited, which manufacture the bricks, is based in Colne, Lancashire, England. History Best-Lock was founded in 1997 by Torsten Geller after he looked into the legalities of Lego and other clones, which led him to look into Lego's past to find that Lego had copied their bricks from a British psychologist and inventor Hilary Page in the 1940s.[1][2] Best-Lock has been involved with multiple legal cases involving Lego. The company moved in 1998 against Lego's exclusivity claims to toy-block design. Best-Lock won the case in court thus allowing them to sell sets in Germany.[2] They defeated a patent challenge from Lego in 2004.[3][4] In a further case in 2009, Lego was denied trademark protection for the shape of its bricks.[5] Best-Lock and Cobi, a Polish building block manufacturer with a strong presence in Eastern Europe and Asia, announced a merger on 2 February 2006, in which Best-Lock purchased a part of Cobi. Plans called for Best-Lock to shift manufacturing to Cobi while Cobi expanded its manufacturing facilities. The merger has since yielded co-branded building block toys. Toys are still sold under the separate labels Best-Lock and Cobi, but many Cobi sets appear in North American retailers such as Toys R' Us and amazon under the Best-Lock brand.[6] In 2000, Lego filed a three-dimensional trademark for its mini-figures, which Best Lock had duplicated since 1998. Thus in 2012, Best-Lock sued to get the trademark revoked. On 16 June 2015, European Court of Justice upheld Lego's figure trademark.[7][8] Products Best-Lock offers different sized blocks including standard blocks, Junior Blocks (young children 2–5), and Baby Blocks (For kids 0–2). Themes for standard blocks include town sets (police, fire and construction), military, pirates, farming, and Kimmy (Best-Lock sets made for females). Licensed sets include The Terminator and Stargate SG-1 themes." (wikipedia.org) "The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States.[12] Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part of the United States Army Signal Corps, the USAF was established as a separate branch of the United States Armed Forces in 1947 with the enactment of the National Security Act of 1947. It is the second youngest branch of the United States Armed Forces[e] and the fourth in order of precedence. The United States Air Force articulates its core missions as air supremacy, global integrated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, rapid global mobility, global strike, and command and control. The United States Air Force is a military service branch organized within the Department of the Air Force, one of the three military departments of the Department of Defense. The Air Force through the Department of the Air Force is headed by the civilian Secretary of the Air Force, who reports to the Secretary of Defense and is appointed by the President with Senate confirmation. The highest-ranking military officer in the Air Force is the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, who exercises supervision over Air Force units and serves as one of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. As directed by the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the Air Force, certain Air Force components are assigned to unified combatant commands. Combatant commanders are delegated operational authority of the forces assigned to them, while the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force retain administrative authority over their members. Along with conducting independent air operations, the United States Air Force provides air support for land and naval forces and aids in the recovery of troops in the field. As of 2020, the service operates approximately 5,500 military aircraft[13] and approximately 400 ICBMs.[14] The world's largest air force, it has a $179.7 billion budget[15][16][17] and is the second largest service branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, with 321,848 active duty airmen,[f][2] 147,879 civilian personnel,[g] 68,927 reserve airmen,[h][2] 105,104 Air National Guard airmen,[i][2] and approximately 65,000 Civil Air Patrol auxiliarists. Mission, vision, and functions Missions According to the National Security Act of 1947 (61 Stat. 502), which created the USAF: In general, the United States Air Force shall include aviation forces both combat and service not otherwise assigned. It shall be organized, trained, and equipped primarily for prompt and sustained offensive and defensive air operations. The Air Force shall be responsible for the preparation of the air forces necessary for the effective prosecution of war except as otherwise assigned and, in accordance with integrated joint mobilization plans, for the expansion of the peacetime components of the Air Force to meet the needs of war. Section 9062 of Title 10 US Code defines the purpose of the USAF as:[18] to preserve the peace and security, and provide for the defense, of the United States, the Territories, Commonwealths, and possessions, and any areas occupied by the United States; to support national policy; to implement national objectives; to overcome any nations responsible for aggressive acts that imperil the peace and security of the United States. Core missions The five core missions of the Air Force have not changed dramatically since the Air Force became independent in 1947, but they have evolved and are now articulated as air superiority, global integrated ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance), rapid global mobility, global strike, and command and control. The purpose of all of these core missions is to provide what the Air Force states as global vigilance, global reach, and global power.[19] Air superiority Main article: Aerial warfare Air superiority is "that degree of dominance in the air battle of one force over another which permits the conduct of operations by the former and its related land, sea, air, and special operations forces at a given time and place without prohibitive interference by the opposing force" (JP 1-02).[20][21][22][23] The first F-35 Lightning II of the 33rd Fighter Wing arriving at Eglin AFB Offensive Counter-Air (OCA) is defined as "offensive operations to destroy, disrupt, or neutralize enemy aircraft, missiles, launch platforms, and their supporting structures and systems both before and after launch, but as close to their source as possible" (JP 1-02). OCA is the preferred method of countering air and missile threats since it attempts to defeat the enemy closer to its source and typically enjoys the initiative. OCA comprises attack operations, sweep, escort, and suppression/destruction of enemy air defense.[20] Defensive Counter-Air (DCA) is defined as "all the defensive measures designed to detect, identify, intercept, and destroy or negate enemy forces attempting to penetrate or attack through friendly airspace" (JP 1-02). In concert with OCA operations, a major goal of DCA operations is to provide an area from which forces can operate, secure from air and missile threats. The DCA mission comprises both active and passive defense measures. Active defense is "the employment of limited offensive action and counterattacks to deny a contested area or position to the enemy" (JP 1-02). It includes both defense and airborne threat defense and encompasses point defense, area defense, and high-value airborne asset defense. Passive defense is "measures taken to reduce the probability of and to minimize the effects of damage caused by hostile action without the intention of taking the initiative" (JP 1-02). It includes detection and warning; chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense; camouflage, concealment, and deception; hardening; reconstitution; dispersion; redundancy; and mobility, counter-measures, and stealth.[20] Airspace control is "a process used to increase operational effectiveness by promoting the safe, efficient, and flexible use of airspace" (JP 1-02). It promotes the safe, efficient, and flexible use of airspace, mitigates the risk of fratricide, enhances both offensive and defensive operations, and permits greater agility of air operations as a whole. It both deconflicts and facilitates the integration of joint air operations.[20] Global integrated ISR Main article: Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance Global integrated intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) is the synchronization and integration of the planning and operation of sensors, assets, and processing, exploitation, dissemination systems across the globe to conduct current and future operations.[20] An Air Force RQ-4 strategic reconnaissance aircraft Planning and directing is "the determination of intelligence requirements, development of appropriate intelligence architecture, preparation of a collection plan, and issuance of orders and requests to information collection agencies" (JP 2-01, Joint and National Intelligence Support to Military Operations). These activities enable the synchronization and integration of collection, processing, exploitation, analysis, and dissemination activities/resources to meet information requirements of national and military decision-makers.[20] Collection is "the acquisition of information and the provision of this information to processing elements" (JP 2-01). It provides the ability to obtain required information to satisfy intelligence needs (via use of sources and methods in all domains). Collection activities span the Range of Military Operations (ROMO).[20] Processing and exploitation is "the conversion of collected information into forms suitable to the production of intelligence" (JP 2-01). It provides the ability to transform, extract, and make available collected information suitable for further analysis or action across the ROMO.[20] Analysis and production is "the conversion of processed information into intelligence through the integration, evaluation, analysis, and interpretation of all source data and the preparation of intelligence products in support of known or anticipated user requirements" (JP 2-01). It provides the ability to integrate, evaluate, and interpret information from available sources to create a finished intelligence product for presentation or dissemination to enable increased situational awareness.[20] Dissemination and integration is "the delivery of intelligence to users in a suitable form and the application of the intelligence to appropriate missions, tasks, and functions" (JP 2-01). It provides the ability to present information and intelligence products across the ROMO enabling understanding of the operational environment to military and national decision-makers.[20] Rapid global mobility Main articles: Airlift and Aerial refueling An Air Force KC-46 Pegasus refuels a C-17A Globemaster III Rapid global mobility is the timely deployment, employment, sustainment, augmentation, and redeployment of military forces and capabilities across the ROMO. It provides joint military forces the capability to move from place to place while retaining the ability to fulfill their primary mission. Rapid Global Mobility is essential to virtually every military operation, allowing forces to reach foreign or domestic destinations quickly, thus seizing the initiative through speed and surprise.[20] Airlift is "operations to transport and deliver forces and materiel through the air in support of strategic, operational, or tactical objectives" (Annex 3–17, Air Mobility Operations). The rapid and flexible options afforded by airlift allow military forces and national leaders the ability to respond and operate in a variety of situations and time frames. The global reach capability of airlift provides the ability to apply US power worldwide by delivering forces to crisis locations. It serves as a US presence that demonstrates resolve and compassion in humanitarian crisis.[20] Air refueling is "the refueling of an aircraft in flight by another aircraft" (JP 1-02). Air refueling extends presence, increases range, and serves as a force multiplier. It allows air assets to more rapidly reach any trouble spot around the world with less dependence on forward staging bases or overflight/landing clearances. Air refueling significantly expands the options available to a commander by increasing the range, payload, persistence, and flexibility of receiver aircraft.[20] Aeromedical evacuation is "the movement of patients under medical supervision to and between medical treatment facilities by air transportation" (JP 1-02). JP 4-02, Health Service Support, further defines it as "the fixed wing movement of regulated casualties to and between medical treatment facilities, using organic and/or contracted mobility airframes, with aircrew trained explicitly for this mission." Aeromedical evacuation forces can operate as far forward as fixed-wing aircraft are able to conduct airland operations.[20] Global strike Main articles: Strategic bombing and Nuclear warfare Global precision attack is the ability to hold at risk or strike rapidly and persistently, with a wide range of munitions, any target and to create swift, decisive, and precise effects across multiple domains.[20] An Air Force A-10 demonstrating close air support at Nellis AFB Strategic attack is defined as "offensive action specifically selected to achieve national strategic objectives. These attacks seek to weaken the adversary's ability or will to engage in conflict, and may achieve strategic objectives without necessarily having to achieve operational objectives as a precondition" (Annex 3–70, Strategic Attack).[20] Air Interdiction is defined as "air operations conducted to divert, disrupt, delay, or destroy the enemy's military potential before it can be brought to bear effectively against friendly forces, or to otherwise achieve JFC objectives. Air Interdiction is conducted at such distance from friendly forces that detailed integration of each air mission with the fire and movement of friendly forces is not required" (Annex 3-03, Counterland Operations).[20] Close Air Support is defined as "air action by fixed- and rotary-winged aircraft against hostile targets that are in close proximity to friendly forces and which require detailed integration of each air mission with the fire and movement of those forces" (JP 1-02). This can be as a pre-planned event or on demand from an alert posture (ground or airborne). It can be conducted across the ROMO.[20] The purpose of nuclear deterrence operations (NDO) is to operate, maintain, and secure nuclear forces to achieve an assured capability to deter an adversary from taking action against vital US interests. In the event deterrence fails, the US should be able to appropriately respond with nuclear options. The sub-elements of this function are:[20] Test launch of a LGM-30 Minuteman Intercontinental from Vandenberg AFB Assure/Dissuade/Deter is a mission set derived from the Air Force's readiness to carry out the nuclear strike operations mission as well as from specific actions taken to assure allies as a part of extended deterrence. Dissuading others from acquiring or proliferating WMD and delivering them contributes to promoting security and is also an integral part of this mission. Moreover, different deterrence strategies are required to deter various adversaries, whether they are a nation state, or non-state/transnational actor. The Air Force maintains and presents credible deterrent capabilities through successful visible demonstrations and exercises that assure allies, dissuade proliferation, deter potential adversaries from actions that threaten US national security or the populations, and deploy military forces of the US, its allies, and friends.[20] Nuclear strike is the ability of nuclear forces to rapidly and accurately strike targets which the enemy holds dear in a devastating manner. If a crisis occurs, rapid generation and, if necessary, deployment of nuclear strike capabilities will demonstrate US resolve and may prompt an adversary to alter the course of action deemed threatening to our national interest. Should deterrence fail, the President may authorize a precise, tailored response to terminate the conflict at the lowest possible level and lead to a rapid cessation of hostilities. Post-conflict, regeneration of a credible nuclear deterrent capability will deter further aggression. The Air Force may present a credible force posture in either the Continental United States, within a theater of operations, or both to effectively deter the range of potential adversaries envisioned in the 21st century. This requires the ability to engage targets globally using a variety of methods; therefore, the Air Force should possess the ability to induct, train, assign, educate and exercise individuals and units to rapidly and effectively execute missions that support US NDO objectives. Finally, the Air Force regularly exercises and evaluates all aspects of nuclear operations to ensure high levels of performance.[20] Nuclear surety ensures the safety, security and effectiveness of nuclear operations. Because of their political and military importance, destructive power, and the potential consequences of an accident or unauthorized act, nuclear weapons and nuclear weapon systems require special consideration and protection against risks and threats inherent in their peacetime and wartime environments. In conjunction with other entities within the Departments of Defense or Energy, the Air Force achieves a high standard of protection through a stringent nuclear surety program. This program applies to materiel, personnel, and procedures that contribute to the safety, security, and control of nuclear weapons, thus assuring no nuclear accidents, incidents, loss, or unauthorized or accidental use (a Broken Arrow incident). The Air Force continues to pursue safe, secure and effective nuclear weapons consistent with operational requirements. Adversaries, allies, and the American people must be highly confident of the Air Force's ability to secure nuclear weapons from accidents, theft, loss, and accidental or unauthorized use. This day-to-day commitment to precise and reliable nuclear operations is the cornerstone of the credibility of the NDO mission. Positive nuclear command, control, communications; effective nuclear weapons security; and robust combat support are essential to the overall NDO function.[20] Command and control Main articles: Command and control, Air Operations Center, and Joint Force Air Component Commander Command and control is "the exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commander over assigned and attached forces in the accomplishment of the mission. Command and control functions are performed through an arrangement of personnel, equipment, communications, facilities, and procedures employed by a commander in planning, directing, coordinating, and controlling forces and operations in the accomplishment of the mission" (JP 1-02). This core function includes all of the C2-related capabilities and activities associated with air, cyberspace, nuclear, and agile combat support operations to achieve strategic, operational, and tactical objectives.[20] Combined Air Operations Center at Al Udeid Air Base At the strategic level command and control, the US determines national or multinational security objectives and guidance, and develops and uses national resources to accomplish these objectives. These national objectives in turn provide the direction for developing overall military objectives, which are used to develop the objectives and strategy for each theater.[20] At the operational level command and control, campaigns and major operations are planned, conducted, sustained, and assessed to accomplish strategic goals within theaters or areas of operations. These activities imply a broader dimension of time or space than do tactics; they provide the means by which tactical successes are exploited to achieve strategic and operational objectives.[20] Tactical Level Command and Control is where individual battles and engagements are fought. The tactical level of war deals with how forces are employed, and the specifics of how engagements are conducted and targets attacked. The goal of tactical level C2 is to achieve commander's intent and desired effects by gaining and keeping offensive initiative....Aircraft inventory Main article: List of active United States Air Force aircraft The U.S. Air Force has a total force of approximately 5,500 aircraft.[13] Of these, an estimated 4,131 are in active service.[184] Until 1962, the Army and Air Force maintained one system of aircraft naming, while the U.S. Navy maintained a separate system. In 1962, these were unified into a single system heavily reflecting the Army and Air Force method. For more complete information on the workings of this system, refer to United States military aircraft designation systems. The various aircraft of the Air Force include: A – Attack A-10 Thunderbolt II ground-attack aircraft The attack aircraft[185] of the USAF are designed to attack targets on the ground and are often deployed as close air support for, and in proximity to, U.S. ground forces. The proximity to friendly forces require precision strikes from these aircraft that are not always possible with bomber aircraft. Their role is tactical rather than strategic, operating at the front of the battle rather than against targets deeper in the enemy's rear. Current USAF attack aircraft are operated by Air Combat Command, Pacific Air Forces, and Air Force Special Operations Command. On 1 August 2022, USSOCOM selected the Air Tractor-L3Harris AT-802U Sky Warden as a result of the Armed Overwatch program, awarding an indefinite quantity contract (IDIQ) to deliver as many as 75 aircraft.[186] A-10C Thunderbolt II[187] A-29 Super Tucano[188] AC-130J Ghostrider[189] OA-1K Sky Warden[190] B – Bomber B-2 Spirit stealth bomber US Air Force bombers are strategic weapons, primarily used for long range strike missions with either conventional or nuclear ordnance. Traditionally used for attacking strategic targets, today many bombers are also used in the tactical mission, such as providing close air support for ground forces and tactical interdiction missions.[191] All Air Force bombers are under Global Strike Command.[192] The service's B-2A aircraft entered service in the 1990s, its B-1B aircraft in the 1980s and its current B-52H aircraft in the early 1960s. The B-52 Stratofortress airframe design is over 60 years old and the B-52H aircraft currently in the active inventory were all built between 1960 and 1962. The B-52H is scheduled to remain in service for another 30 years, which would keep the airframe in service for nearly 90 years, an unprecedented length of service for any aircraft. The B-21 is projected to replace the B-52 and parts of the B-1B force by the mid-2020s.[193] B-1B Lancer[194] B-2A Spirit[195] B-52H Stratofortress...F – Fighter F-22 Raptor stealth air superiority fighter The fighter aircraft of the USAF are small, fast, and maneuverable military aircraft primarily used for air-to-air combat. Many of these fighters have secondary ground-attack capabilities, and some are dual-roled as fighter-bombers (e.g., the F-16 Fighting Falcon); the term "fighter" is also sometimes used colloquially for dedicated ground-attack aircraft, such as the F-117 Nighthawk. Other missions include interception of bombers and other fighters, reconnaissance, and patrol. The F-16 is currently used by the USAF Air Demonstration squadron, the Thunderbirds, while a small number of both man-rated and non-man-rated F-4 Phantom II are retained as QF-4 aircraft for use as full-scale aerial targets (FSATs) or as part of the USAF Heritage Flight program. These extant QF-4 aircraft are being replaced in the FSAT role by early model F-16 aircraft converted to QF-16 configuration. The USAF had 2,025 fighters in service as of September 2012.[218] F-15C and F-15D Eagle[219] F-15E Strike Eagle[220][221] F-15EX Eagle II[222] F-16C, F-16D Fighting Falcon[223] F-22A Raptor[224][225] F-35A Lightning II" (wikipedia.org) "An air force in the broadest sense is the national military branch that primarily conducts aerial warfare.[1] More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army aviation or naval aviation units. Typically, air forces are responsible for gaining control of the air, carrying out strategic and tactical bombing missions, and providing support to land and naval forces often in the form of aerial reconnaissance and close air support.[2] The term air force may also refer to a tactical air force or numbered air force, which is an operational formation either within a national air force or comprising several air components from allied nations. Air forces typically consist of a combination of fighters, bombers, helicopters, transport planes and other aircraft. Many air forces may command and control other air defence forces assets such as anti-aircraft artillery, surface-to-air missiles, or anti-ballistic missile warning networks and defensive systems. Some air forces are also responsible for operations of the military space and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM). Some nations, principally countries who modelled their militaries along Soviet lines, have or had an air defence force which is organizationally separate from their air force. Peacetime/non-wartime activities of air forces may include air policing and air-sea rescue. Air forces are not just composed of pilots, but also rely on a significant amount of support from other personnel to operate. Logistics, security, intelligence, special operations, cyber space support, maintenance, weapons loaders, and many other specialties are required by all air forces." (wikipedia.org) "Tactical bombing is aerial bombing aimed at targets of immediate military value, such as combatants, military installations, or military equipment. This is in contrast to strategic bombing, or attacking enemy cities and factories to cripple future military production and enemy civilians' will to support the war effort, to debilitate the enemy's long-term capacity to wage war.[1] The term "tactical bomber" only refers to a bomber aircraft designed specifically for the primary role of tactical bombing, even though many other types of aircraft ranging from strategic bombers to fighters, interceptors, and helicopters have been used in tactical bombing operations. Tactical bombing is employed for two primary assignments. Aircraft providing close air support attack targets in nearby proximity to friendly ground forces, acting in direct support of the ground operations (as a "flying artillery"). Air interdiction, by contrast, attacks tactical targets that are distant from or otherwise not in contact with friendly units." (wikipedia.org) "A bomber is a military combat aircraft that utilizes air-to-ground weaponry to drop bombs, launch torpedoes, or deploy air-launched cruise missiles. Bombs were first dropped from an aircraft during the Italo-Turkish War, with the first major deployments coming in the First World War and Second World War by all major airforces, damaging cities, towns, and rural areas. The first bomber planes in history were the Italian Caproni Ca 30 and British Bristol T.B.8, both of 1913. Some bombers were decorated with nose art or victory markings. There are two major classifications of bomber: strategic and tactical. Strategic bombing is done by heavy bombers primarily designed for long-range bombing missions against strategic targets to diminish the enemy's ability to wage war by limiting access to resources through crippling infrastructure, reducing industrial output, or inflicting massive civilian casualties to an extent deemed to force surrender. Tactical bombing is aimed at countering enemy military activity and in supporting offensive operations, and is typically assigned to smaller aircraft operating at shorter ranges, typically near the troops on the ground or against enemy shipping. During WWII with engine power as a major limitation, combined with the desire for accuracy and other operational factors, bomber designs tended to be tailored to specific roles. Early in the Cold War however, bombers were the only means of carrying nuclear weapons to enemy targets, and held the role of deterrence. With the advent of guided air-to-air missiles, bombers needed to avoid interception. High-speed and high-altitude flying became a means of evading detection and attack. With the advent of ICBMs the role of the bomber was brought to a more tactical focus in close air support roles, and a focus on stealth technology for strategic bombers." (wikipedia.org) "A military helicopter is a helicopter that is either specifically built or converted for use by military forces. A military helicopter's mission is a function of its design or conversion. The most common use of military helicopters is transport of troops, but transport helicopters can be modified or converted to perform other missions such as combat search and rescue (CSAR), medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), airborne command post, or even armed with weapons for attacking ground targets. Specialized military helicopters are intended to conduct specific missions. Examples of specialized military helicopters are attack helicopters, observation helicopters and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters. Types and roles Military helicopters play an integral part in the sea, land and air operations of modern militaries. Generally manufacturers will develop airframes in different weight/size classes which can be adapted to different roles through the installation of mission specific equipment. To minimise development costs the basic airframes can be stretched and shortened, be updated with new engines and electronics and have the entire mechanical and flight systems mated to new fuselages to create new aircraft. For example, the Bell UH-1 Iroquois (known as the "Huey") has given rise to a number of derivatives through stretching and re-engining, including the Bell AH-1. Modern helicopters have introduced modular systems which allow the same airframe to be configured for different roles, for example the Augusta Westland AW101 "Merlin" in Royal Navy service can be rapidly configured for ASW or transport missions in hours. To at the same time retain flexibility and limit costs, it is possible to fit an airframe for but not with a system, for example in the US Army's Boeing AH-64D Apache variants are all fitted to be able to take the Longbow radar system, but not enough sets have been bought to equip the whole force. The systems can be fitted to only those airframes that need it, or when finances allow the purchase of enough units....Attack Main article: Attack helicopter A Z-10 of the People's Liberation Army Ground Aviation Attack helicopters are helicopters used in the anti-tank and close air support roles. The first of the modern attack helicopters was the Vietnam era Bell AH-1 Cobra, which pioneered the now classic format of pilot and weapons officer seated in tandem in a narrow fuselage, chin mounted guns, and rockets and missiles mounted on stub wings. To enable them to find and identify their targets, some modern attack helicopters are equipped with very capable sensors[2] such as a millimeter wave radar system." (wikipedia.org) "An army aviation unit is an aviation-related unit of a nation's army, sometimes described as an air corps. These units are generally separate from a nation's dedicated air force, and usually comprise helicopters and light support fixed-wing aircraft. Prior to the establishment of separate national air forces, many armies had military aviation units, which as the importance of aviation increased, were spun off into independent services. As the separation between a nation's army and air force led to a divergence of priorities, many armies sought to re-establish their own aviation branches to best serve their own organic tactical needs. History Main article: History of aerial warfare Military aviation first began as either army or naval aviation units established as force multipliers to allow armies and navies to better do what they were already doing, this taking mostly the form of reconnaissance and artillery spotting, this led to the first fighter aircraft whose purpose was to shoot down enemy reconnaissance and artillery spotting aircraft, and to protect one's own aircraft from being shot down. At this point the purpose of aircraft was still to act as an adjunct to traditional armies and fleets operating in the traditional way. However, as aircraft became more technologically sophisticated military theorists of the interwar period began to think of airpower as a means in and of itself where the critical blow could be delivered by strategic bombing, and the experience of World War II confirmed this. Post World War II air forces such as the Royal Air Force and the newly established United States Air Force concentrated on building strategic bomber forces for attack and fighter forces to defend against enemy bombers. Air forces still incorporated a significant amount of tactical missions through air interdiction and close air support missions. In order to acquire a close air support capability armies sought to expand, establish or re-establish their own tactical aviation branches, which are usually composed of helicopters, rather than fixed-wing aircraft. With the development of unmanned aerial vehicles some armies have begun to use small battlefield UAVs, not attached to army aviation units, but rather directly attached to artillery battalions as spotters, and with the smallest and lightest drones being deployed by individual infantry platoons to provide real time local reconnaissance." (wikipedia.org) "Mega Brands Inc. (formerly Mega Bloks Inc. and Ritvik Holdings) is a Canadian children's toy company that is currently a wholly owned subsidiary of Mattel. Mega Bloks, a line of construction set toys, is its most popular product. Its other brands include Mega Construx, Mega Puzzles, and Board Dudes. The company distributes a wide range of construction toys, puzzles, and craft-based products. In 2016, Mega Brands' Bloks was second in worldwide sales (11%) of toy construction building sets.[4] History Ritvik Holdings In 1967, Victor Bertrand and his wife Rita founded the company as Ritvik Holdings (RH). Ritvik is a portmanteau word based on a combination of Rita and Victor. RH began by distributing toys made outside Canada and also facilitated contracts between foreign brands and Canadian manufacturers.[5] Ritvik later became a vertically integrated company as it expanded by adding plastic injection molding operations, design operations, tooling manufacturers, and marketing services. The company had a leading share of the plastic injection molded market by the early 1980s.[5] Wanting to expand beyond Canada, Victor Bertrand took an interest in construction block sets. He saw room for growth despite them being an industry staple since the early years of the 20th century when the Batima Block was released in Belgium in 1905. With Lego being the leading construction toy, Bertrand chose to make a similar set. Bertrand ignored friends and advisors, feeling he had two advantages in launching Mega Bloks: he aimed to produce jumbo-sized bricks for toddlers, who Lego bricks were not designed for, and he considered his expertise in injection molding would give him a price advantage.[5] At 1984 trade shows, Ritvik showed the Mega Bloks line in the US and Canada. An immediate hit, Mega Bloks had generally large sales in Canada, including a $1 million sale to Toys R Us, and were available almost anywhere in the two markets in 1985. Several multinational companies had made offers just after the trade show for distribution rights, as well as to buy either Mega Bloks or RH itself.[5] By 1989, Mega Bloks were in 30 countries and popular in Europe, the US and Canada. Up to 30 play sets were available. A piano set with Mega Blok-compatible keys for the pre-school market was released in 1988. In 1989, Ritvik sold all of its other toy and plastics lines.[5] A Mega Bloks "Micro" line was released in 1991; these were compatible with or a clone of Lego bricks. This finally placed Ritvik and The Lego Group in direct competition. Lego Canada soon sued Ritvik for unfair competition, claiming a likelihood of confusion between its Micro Mega Bloks and the Lego line. Since Lego's brick shape patent had expired, the dragged on for years as sales grew worldwide (at an average 70% a year until the mid-1990s), but finally Ritvik won the case by clearly distinguishing its brand from Lego. Suits were filed in Europe and the U.S. with similar results.[5] In 1996, a 28% share of Ritvik was sold to the Blackstone Group. Rita Bertrand and her daughter Chantal retired that year, while Marc and Victor Bertrand Jr. were active in management. Two international subsidiaries were formed, Mega Bloks Latinoamerica S.A. de C.V. in 1997 and Mega Bloks Europe N.V. in 1998. International sales in the 1990s were at 30%, with 70% from Canada and the US; all but 10% were from four major chains: Toys 'R Us, Wal-Mart, Target, and Kmart.[5] Ritvik followed the late 1990s licensing trend in 1998, with its first licensing agreement being for Teletubbies, followed by an agreement with Fisher-Price with its Sesame Street characters license. A NASCAR line was also introduced.[5] Ritvik Toys, Inc. was amalgamated with Ritvik Holdings Inc. on June 30, 1998.[6] Lego, K'Nex and Ritvik added features to their lines in 2000. Ritvik made transformable building sets that changed into vehicles, and a remote control electronic kit named the Mega Bloks RO Action Builder. Ritvik also added TV advertising that year with a $2 million campaign; the company spent $30 million on advertising, marketing, and research and development in 2002.[5] Mega Bloks With sales having approximately doubled since 1999, Ritvik went public via an initial public offering in May 2002 on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the new name of Mega Bloks Inc.[5] The company traded at $14.50 a share.[1] The founders' sons, Victor Bertrand Jr. and Marc Bertrand, became chief operating officer and chief operating officer/president, respectively, while Victor Sr. remained chairman of the board.[5] The toy market was in a down cycle from 2002 to 2003, with the construction toy segment losing 10 to 15%, but Mega Bloks experienced increased sales. Since 1986, the company had seen a run of 17 years of growth, becoming number two in the construction toy segment behind Lego.[5] In 2003, the company formed a joint venture with the Japanese toy company Bandai for Asia. Bandai marketed Mega Blok sets with their existing licensed Japanese cartoon characters. With the success of movies of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books and J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, a Dragon series was released in 2003. Mega Play!, a block set large enough for children to fit inside, was also launched.[5] With shares trading at almost $30, in 2005 Mega Bloks, Inc. acquired Rose Art Industries, including its line of toys, for US$350 million.[1] [1] The company acquired Board Dudes, Inc., makers of Board Dudes posting and marking boards and Locker Dudes locker products, in January 2006, through its Rose Art Industries subsidiary.[7] Mega Brands On June 15, 2006, following the acquisition of several brand names not associated with construction brick toys,[citation needed] the company again changed its name, this time from Mega Bloks Inc. to Mega Brands Inc.[1] with Rose Art Industries, Inc. being renamed Mega Brands America, Inc.[8] After 23 consecutive years of growing sales and profit, Mega lost $458 million in 2008. Heading towards bankruptcy, the company refinanced. Shares were consolidated 1-for-20, with Fairfax Financial becoming a major partner in the recapitalization.[1] Rose Art was placed on the market in March 2008 as a result of inquiries from the previous owners and others.[9] The former owners of Rose Art, Jeffrey and Lawrence Rosen, offered to purchase it back in April 2008.[10] They then sued company management for insider trading in September 2008, alleging shares were sold prior to the .[11] Rose Art's base operation was shut down in New Jersey, and in 2010 the company moved its stationery and activities division, with some key employees, to Irvine, California, under new executive Thomas Prichard, a former executive at Crayola, Pixar, and Hasbro. The subsidiary was not sold, and was reintegrated into Mega operations by 2012.[1] On February 28, 2014, it was announced that Mattel, Inc. would acquire Mega Brands Inc. for approximately US$450 million.[12] It became a wholly owned subsidiary of Mattel as of April 20, 2014.[13] Prior to the purchase, Mega and Mattel were partners in adding Mattel brands to Mega "Worlds" plus a line for Mattel's American Girl that competes with Lego's Friends line.[4] Three years later, on February 10, 2017, Mattel announced that it was introducing Mega Construx,[14] a new sub-brand of construction sets designed for children four and up as well as adult collectors. Construx's first license property line was Pokémon, launched in mid-2017.[4] In March 2021, LaRose Industries, the company founded by Lawrence Rosen in 2008, announced it purchased the RoseArt brand from Mattel. The purchase reunites the RoseArt brand with the Rosen family.[15] Product types Construction Bricks Mega Bloks - original large size for pre-school now branded under 1st Builders[5] Mega Blocks - intermediate size - compatible with Duplo now branded under Junior Builders Mega Bloks micro - Lego compatible bricks[5] Mega Construx[4] now branded under Wonder Builders & Advanced Builder lines Lego compatible bricks[5] Mega Construx micro figures do not follow the iconic Lego modular mini figures: instead their figures allow up to 16 articulation points, i.e. poses and customization.[4] In 2022, many lines of Mega Construx were rebranded to MEGA with a purple logo. Some products from prior years have been sold with either branding." (wikipedia.org) "Fighter aircraft (early on also pursuit aircraft)[a] are military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat. In military conflict, the role of fighter aircraft is to establish air superiority of the battlespace. Domination of the airspace above a battlefield permits bombers and attack aircraft to engage in tactical and strategic bombing of enemy targets. The key performance features of a fighter include not only its firepower but also its high speed and maneuverability relative to the target aircraft. The success or failure of a combatant's efforts to gain air superiority hinges on several factors including the skill of its pilots, the tactical soundness of its doctrine for deploying its fighters, and the numbers and performance of those fighters. Many modern fighter aircraft also have secondary capabilities such as ground attack and some types, such as fighter-bombers, are designed from the outset for dual roles. Other fighter designs are highly specialized while still filling the main air superiority role, and these include the interceptor, heavy fighter, and night fighter....Classification A fighter aircraft is primarily designed for air-to-air combat.[4] A given type may be designed for specific combat conditions, and in some cases for additional roles such as air-to-ground fighting. Historically the British Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force referred to them as "scouts" until the early 1920s, while the U.S. Army called them "pursuit" aircraft until the late 1940s (using the designation P, as in Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, Republic P-47 Thunderbolt and Bell P-63 Kingcobra). The UK changed to calling them fighters in the 1920s[citation needed], while the US Army did so in the 1940s.[5] A short-range fighter designed to defend against incoming enemy aircraft is known as an interceptor. Recognized classes of fighter include: Air superiority fighter Fighter-bomber Heavy fighter Interceptor Light fighter All-weather fighter (including the night fighter) Reconnaissance fighter Strategic fighter (including the escort fighter and strike fighter)...It has become common in the aviation community to classify jet fighters by "generations" for historical purposes.[30] No official definitions of these generations exist; rather, they represent the notion of stages in the development of fighter-design approaches, performance capabilities, and technological evolution. Different authors have packed jet fighters into different generations. For example, Richard P. Hallion of the Secretary of the Air Force's Action Group classified the F-16 as a sixth-generation jet fighter.[31] The timeframes associated with each generation remain inexact and are only indicative of the period during which their design philosophies and technology employment enjoyed a prevailing influence on fighter design and development. These timeframes also encompass the peak period of service entry for such aircraft." (wikipedia.org) "In current military parlance, a strike fighter is a multirole combat aircraft designed to operate both as an attack aircraft and as an air superiority fighter. As a category, it is distinct from fighter-bombers, and is closely related to the concept of interdictor aircraft, although it puts more emphasis on aerial combat capabilities. Examples of notable contemporary strike fighters are the American McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle, Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, the Russian Sukhoi Su-34, and the Chinese Shenyang J-16. History Beginning in the 1940s, the term "strike fighter" was occasionally used in navies to refer to fighter aircraft capable of performing air-to-surface strikes, such as the Westland Wyvern,[1] Blackburn Firebrand[2] and Blackburn Firecrest. The term "light weight tactical strike fighter (LWTSF)" was used to describe the aircraft to meet the December 1953 NATO specification NBMR-1.[3] Amongst the designs submitted to the competition were the Aerfer Sagittario 2, Breguet Br.1001 Taon, Dassault Étendard VI, Fiat G.91 and Sud-Est Baroudeur. The Westland Wyvern The term entered normal use in the United States Navy[4] by the end of the 1970s, becoming the official[5] description of the new McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. In 1983, the U.S. Navy even renamed each existing Fighter Attack Squadron to Strike Fighter Squadron to emphasize[6] the air-to-surface mission (as the "Fighter Attack" designation was confused with the "Fighter" designation, which flew pure air-to-air missions). This name quickly spread to non-maritime use. When the F-15E Strike Eagle came into service, it was originally called a "dual role fighter",[7] but it instead quickly became known as a "strike fighter". Joint Strike Fighter Main article: Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II In 1995, the U.S. military's Joint Advanced Strike Technology program changed its name to the Joint Strike Fighter program.[8] The project consequently resulted in the development of the F-35 Lightning II family of fifth generation multirole fighters to perform ground attack, reconnaissance, and air defense missions with stealth capability. Modern strike fighters United States Boeing F-15EX Eagle II United States McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle United States Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet United States Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II" (wikipedia.org) "A military aircraft is any fixed-wing or rotary-wing aircraft that is operated by a legal or insurrectionary military of any type.[1] Military aircraft can be either combat or non-combat: Combat aircraft, such as fighters and bombers, are designed to destroy enemy equipment or personnel using their own aircraft ordnance.[1] Combat aircraft are typically developed and procured only by military forces. Non-combat aircraft, such as transports and tankers are not designed for combat as their primary function, but may carry weapons for self-defense. These mainly operate in support roles, and may be developed by either military forces or civilian organizations." (wikipedia.org) "Military personnel or military service members are members of the state's armed forces. Their roles, pay, and obligations differ according to their military branch (army, navy, marines, coast guard, air force, and space force,), rank (officer, non-commissioned officer, or enlisted recruit), and their military task when deployed on operations and on exercise. Overview Those who serve in a typical large ground or land force are soldiers, this branch is the army. Those who serve in seagoing forces are seamen or sailors, and their branch is a navy or coast guard. Naval infantry or marines serve both on land and at sea, and their branch is the marine corps. In the 20th century, the development of powered flight aircraft prompted the development of air forces, serviced by airmen. The United States Space Force service members are known as guardians.[1] Designated leaders of military personnel are officers. These include commissioned officers, warrant officers and non-commissioned officers. For naval forces, non-commissioned officers are referred to as petty officers." (wikipedia.org) "An attack helicopter is an armed helicopter with the primary role of an attack aircraft, with the offensive capability of engaging ground targets such as enemy infantry, military vehicles and fortifications. Due to their heavy armament they are sometimes called helicopter gunships. ...A modern attack helicopter has two primary roles: first, to provide direct and accurate close air support for ground troops; and second, the anti-tank role to destroy grouped enemy armor. Attack helicopters are also used as protective escort for transport helicopters, or to supplement lighter helicopters in the armed reconnaissance roles. In combat, an attack helicopter is projected to destroy targets worth around 17 times its own production cost before being destroyed....United States AH-56 Cheyenne prototype Amid the opening months of the Korean War era, during August 1950, a joint US Navy and Marine Corps test used a newly acquired Bell HTL-4 helicopter to test if a bazooka could be fired from a helicopter in flight. One of the larger 3.5 inch (90mm calibre) models of the bazooka was chosen, and was mounted ahead and to the right of the helicopter to allow the door to remain clear. The bazooka was successfully tested, although it was discovered that it would require shielding for the engine compartment, which was exposed in the model 47 and other early helicopters. The helicopter itself belonged to HMX-1, a Marine experimental helicopter squadron.[8] In the mid-1960s, the U.S. Army concluded that a purpose-built attack helicopter with more speed and firepower than current armed helicopters was required in the face of increasingly intense ground fire (often using heavy machine guns and anti-tank rockets) from Viet Cong and NVA troops. Based on this realization, and with the growing involvement in Vietnam, the U.S. Army developed the requirements for a dedicated attack helicopter, the Advanced Aerial Fire Support System (AAFSS). The aircraft design selected for this program in 1965, was Lockheed's AH-56 Cheyenne.[9] As the Army began its acquisition of a dedicated attack helicopter, it sought options to improve performance over the continued use of improvised interim aircraft (such as the UH-1B/C). In late 1965, a panel of high-level officers was selected to evaluate several prototype versions of armed and attack helicopters to determine which provided the most significant increase in capability to the UH-1B. The three highest-ranked aircraft, the Sikorsky S-61, Kaman H-2 "Tomahawk", and the Bell AH-1 Cobra, were selected to compete in flight trials conducted by the Army's Aviation Test Activity. Upon completion of the flight evaluations, the Test Activity recommended Bell's Huey Cobra to be an interim armed helicopter until the Cheyenne was fielded. On 13 April 1966, the U.S. Army awarded Bell Helicopter Company a production contract for 110 AH-1G Cobras.[9] The Cobra had a tandem cockpit seating arrangement (vs UH-1 side-by-side) to make the aircraft a smaller frontal target, increased armor protection, and greater speed. Prototype of the AH-1, the first dedicated attack helicopter, and a canonical example to this day In 1967, the first AH-1Gs were deployed to Vietnam, around the same time that the Cheyenne successfully completed its first flight and initial flight evaluations. And while the Cheyenne program suffered setbacks over the next few years due to technical problems, the Cobra was establishing itself as an effective aerial weapons platform, despite its performance shortcomings compared to the AH-56[9] and design issues of its own. By 1972, when the Cheyenne program was eventually cancelled to make way for the Advanced Attack Helicopter (AAH),[9] the interim AH-1 "Snake" had built a solid reputation as an attack helicopter. In June 1972 the USMC began deploying AH-1J SeaCobra Attack Helicopters for combat operations in South Vietnam. During the late 1970s, the U.S. Army saw the need of more sophistication within the attack helicopter corps, allowing them to operate in all weather conditions.[10] With that the Advanced Attack Helicopter program was started.[11] From this program the Hughes YAH-64 came out as the winner. The prototype YAH-64 was first flown on 30 September 1975. The U.S. Army selected the YAH-64 over the Bell YAH-63 in 1976, and later approved full production in 1982. After purchasing Hughes Helicopters in 1984, McDonnell Douglas continued AH-64 production and development. The helicopter was introduced to U.S. Army service in April 1986. Today, the US attack helicopter has been further refined, and the AH-64D Apache Longbow demonstrates many of the advanced technologies being considered for deployment on future gunships. The US Marine Corps also continued to employ attack helicopters in the direct fire support role, in the form of the AH-1 Super Cobra. While helicopters were effective tank-killers in the Middle East, attack helicopters are being seen more in a multipurpose role. Tactics, such as tank plinking, showed that fixed-wing aircraft could be effective against tanks, but helicopters retained a unique low-altitude, low-speed capability for close air support. Other purpose-built helicopters were developed for special operations missions, including the MH-6 for extremely close support." (wikipedia.org) "A military, also known collectively as an armed forces, are a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. Militaries are typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with their members identifiable by a distinct military uniform. They may consist of one or more military branches such as an army, navy, air force, space force, marines, or coast guard. The main task of a military is usually defined as defence of their state and its interests against external armed threats. In broad usage, the terms "armed forces" and "military" are often synonymous, although in technical usage a distinction is sometimes made in which a country's armed forces may include other paramilitary forces such as armed police. Countries by number of active soldiers (2009) A nation's military may function as a discrete social subculture, with dedicated infrastructure such as military housing, schools, utilities, logistics, hospitals, legal services, food production, finance, and banking services. Beyond warfare, the military may be employed in additional sanctioned and non-sanctioned functions within the state, including internal security threats, crowd control, promotion of political agendas, emergency services and reconstruction, protecting corporate economic interests, social ceremonies, and national honour guards.[1] The profession of soldiering is older than recorded history.[2] Some images of classical antiquity portray the power and feats of military leaders. The Battle of Kadesh in 1274 BC from the reign of Ramses II, features in bas-relief monuments. The first Emperor of a unified China, Qin Shi Huang, created the Terracotta Army to represent his military might.[3] The Ancient Romans wrote many treatises and writings on warfare, as well as many decorated triumphal arches and victory columns....The first recorded use of the word "military" in English, spelled militarie, was in 1582.[4] It comes from the Latin militaris (from Latin miles 'soldier') through French, but is of uncertain etymology, one suggestion being derived from *mil-it- – going in a body or mass.[5][6] As a noun phrase, "the military" usually refers generally to a country's armed forces, or sometimes, more specifically, to the senior officers who command them.[4][7] In general, it refers to the physicality of armed forces, their personnel, equipment, and the physical area which they occupy. As an adjective, military originally referred only to soldiers and soldiering, but it broadened to apply to land forces in general, and anything to do with their profession.[4] The names of both the Royal Military Academy (1741) and United States Military Academy (1802) reflect this. However, at about the time of the Napoleonic Wars, military began to be used in reference to armed forces as a whole, such as "military service", "military intelligence", and "military history". As such, it now connotes any activity performed by armed force personnel." (wikipedia.org) "The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States.[13] The armed forces consist of six service branches: the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard.[14][15] All six armed services are among the eight uniformed services of the United States.[16] Each of the different military services is assigned a role and domain. The Army conducts land operations. The Navy and Marine Corps conduct maritime operations, the Marine Corps specializing in amphibious and maritime littoral operations primarily for supporting the Navy. The Air Force conducts air operations. The Space Force conducts space operations. The Coast Guard is unique in that it specializes in maritime operations and is also a law enforcement agency.[17][18] From their inception during the American Revolutionary War, the U.S. Armed Forces have played a decisive role in the country's history. They helped forge a sense of national unity and identity through victories in the early-19th-century First and Second Barbary Wars. They played a critical role in the territorial evolution of the U.S., including the American Civil War. The National Security Act of 1947 created the modern U.S. military framework, establishing the National Military Establishment (later the Department of Defense or DoD) headed by the secretary of defense and creating both the U.S. Air Force and National Security Council; in 1949, an amendment to the act merged the cabinet-level departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force into the DoD.[19] The president of the U.S. is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and forms military policy with the DoD and Department of Homeland Security (DHS), both federal executive departments, acting as the principal organs by which military policy is carried out. The U.S. Armed Forces are one of the world's largest military forces in terms of personnel. They draw their personnel from a large pool of professional volunteers. The U.S. has used military conscription, but not since 1973. The Selective Service System retains the power to conscript males, requiring the registration of all male citizens and residents living in the U.S. between the ages of 18 and 25. The U.S. Armed Forces are considered the world's most powerful military, especially since the end of the Cold War.[20] The military expenditure of the U.S. was US$916 billion in 2023, the highest in the world, accounting for 37% of the world's defense expenditures.[21] The U.S. Armed Forces has significant capabilities in both defense and power projection due to its large budget, resulting in advanced and powerful technologies which enable widespread deployment of the force around the world, including around 800 military bases outside the U.S.[22] The U.S. Air Force is the world's largest air force, followed by the U.S. Army Aviation Branch. The U.S. Naval Air Forces is the fourth-largest air arm in the world and is the largest naval aviation service, while U.S. Marine Corps Aviation is the world's seventh-largest air arm. The U.S. Navy is the world's largest navy by tonnage.[23] The U.S. Coast Guard is the world's 12th-largest maritime force.[24] The U.S. Space Force is the world's only active independent space force....Structure Presidential command over the U.S. Armed Forces is established in Article II in the Constitution whereby the president is named as the "Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States."[38] The United States Armed Forces are split between two cabinet departments, with the Department of Defense serving as the primary cabinet department for military affairs and the Department of Homeland Security responsible for administering the United States Coast Guard.[39] The military chain of command flows from the President of the United States to the secretary of defense (for services under the Defense Department) or secretary of homeland security (for services under the Department of Homeland Security), ensuring civilian control of the military. Within the Department of Defense, the military departments (Department of the Army, United States Department of the Navy, and Department of the Air Force) are civilian led entities that oversee the coequal military service branches organized within each department. The military departments and services are responsible for organizing, training, and equipping forces, with the actual chain of command flowing through the unified combatant commands.[40] The Joint Chiefs of Staff in December 2020 The Joint Chiefs of Staff, although outside the operational chain of command, is the senior-most military body in the United States Armed Forces. It is led by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who is the military head of the armed forces and principal advisor to the president and secretary of defense on military matters. Their deputy is the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Other members include the chief of staff of the Army, commandant of the Marine Corps, chief of naval operations, chief of staff of the Air Force, chief of space operations, and the chief of the National Guard Bureau.[41] The commandant of the Coast Guard is not an official member of the Joint Chiefs, but sometimes attends meetings as one of the military service chiefs. The senior enlisted advisor to the chairman is the most senior enlisted member in the United States Armed Forces.[42] Leadership of the Armed Forces, to include the president of the United States, the secretary of defense, the secretary of Homeland Security and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are members of the United States National Security Council, which advises the president on national security, military, and foreign policy matters.[43] The national security advisor, the homeland security advisor, and the deputy national security advisor may also be members of the United States Armed Forces.[44][45] The National Security Council Deputies Committee also includes the deputy secretary of defense, deputy secretary of homeland security, and vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.[46] Military leadership, including the secretary of defense, the secretary of Homeland Security, and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff also sit on the National Space Council.[47] Unified combatant commands Main article: Unified combatant command Unified combatant commands areas of responsibility Unified combatant commands are joint military commands consisting of forces from multiple military departments, with their chain of command flowing from the president, to the secretary of defense, to the commanders of the combatant commands. Each service organizes, trains, and equips forces that are then presented to the unified combatant commands through service component commands. Special Operations Command and Cyber Command also present theater special operations commands or joint force headquarters – cyber to other combatant commanders. Army components are typically dual-hatted as the joint force land component, Navy components are typically dual-hatted as the joint force maritime component, and Air Force components are typically dual-hatted as the joint force air component, with the theater special operations command dual-hatted as the joint force special operations component, and Space Force component typically dual-hatted as the joint force space component....Service branches The United States Armed Forces is composed of six coequal military service branches. Five of the branches, the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, United States Navy, United States Air Force, and United States Space Force, are organized under the Department of Defense's military departments. The United States Coast Guard is nominally under the Department of Homeland Security, but may be transferred to the Department of Defense's Department of the Navy (which is the civilian entity that oversees the coequal U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy) at the direction of the President or Congress. With the exception of the Coast Guard, the military services only organize, train, and equip forces. The unified combatant commands are responsible for operational control of non-service retained forces. Each of the different military services is assigned a role and domain. The U.S. Army conducts land operations, while the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps conduct maritime operations, with the Marine Corps specializing in amphibious and maritime littoral operations in support of the Navy. The U.S. Air Force conducts air operations, while the U.S. Space Force conducts space operations. The U.S. Coast Guard is unique in that it is a military branch specializing in maritime operations and also a law enforcement agency.[17][18] U.S. Army Main article: United States Army 1st Armored Division infantry, an M2 Bradley armored vehicle, and AH-64 Apache attack helicopters as part of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve in Syria The United States Army (USA) is the United States Armed Forces' land force and is the largest and oldest service. Originally established in 1775 as the Continental Army, it consists of one million soldiers across the Regular Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard.[17] The Army serves as the Armed Forces principal land service, responsible for conducting land warfare operations.[60] The U.S. Army is organized under the Department of the Army, which is a military department under the leadership of the secretary of the Army and under secretary of the Army. The U.S. Army itself is led by the chief of staff of the Army and vice chief of staff of the Army, both generals who are advised by the sergeant major of the Army.[61] The Army's primary responsibility is to conduct prompt and sustained land combat as part of the joint force. Army landpower focuses on destroying an enemy's armed forces, occupying its territory, and breaking the will of an adversary.[62] The five core competencies of the Army are: Prompt and sustained land combat Combined arms operations: Combined arms maneuver and wide area security Armored and mechanized operations Airborne and air assault operations Special operations Set and sustain the theater for the joint force Integrate national, multinational, and joint power on land[62] 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers parachuting from a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III transport plane The thirteen specified functions of the Army are: Conduct prompt and sustained combined arms combat operations on land in all environments and types of terrain, to include complex urban environments, in order to defeat enemy ground forces, and seize, occupy, and defend land areas.[63] Conduct air and missile defense to support joint campaigns and assist in achieving air superiority. This is conducted by the Army's Air Defense Artillery Branch, specifically by the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, 263rd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, and Army Space and Missile Defense Command.[63] Conduct airborne and air assault, and amphibious operations. The Army has primary responsibility for the development of airborne doctrine, tactics, techniques, and procedures. Army airborne and air assault operations are conducted by the XVIII Airborne Corps, 11th Airborne Division, 82nd Airborne Division, 101st Airborne Division, and the 173rd Airborne Brigade.[63] Conduct civil affairs operations. Civil affairs operations are conducted by the United States Army Special Operations Command, predominantly under United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command and the 95th Civil Affairs Brigade.[63] Conduct riverine operations.[63] Occupy territories abroad and provide for the initial establishment of a military government pending transfer of this responsibility to other authorities.[63] Interdict enemy sea power, space power, air power, and communications through operations on and from the land.[63] Provide logistics to joint operations and campaigns, including joint over-the-shore and intra-theater transport of time-sensitive, mission-critical personnel and materiel. This is primarily conducted through the Army Logistics Branch, including the Quartermaster Corps, Ordnance Corps, Transportation Corps, and through Army Materiel Command's Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command.[63] Provide support to space operations to enhance joint campaigns, in coordination with the other military services (primarily the United States Space Force), combatant commands (primarily United States Space Command), and other U.S. government departments and agencies. Army space operations are conducted by Army Space and Missile Defense Command.[63] Conduct authorized civil works programs, to include projects for the improvement of navigation, flood control, beach erosion control, and other water resource developments in the United States, its territories, and its possessions, and conduct other civil activities prescribed by law. These are conducted by the Army Corps of Engineers.[63] Provide intra-theater aeromedical evacuation. These missions are flown by the Army Medical Service Corps and Army Aviation Branch.[63] Conduct reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition. Operate land lines of communication. This is primarily conducted through the Transportation Corps and Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command....U.S. Air Force Main article: United States Air Force A B-2A Spirit stealth bomber from the 509th Bomb Wing escorted by two F-22A Raptor stealth fighters from the 3rd Wing The United States Air Force (USAF) is the United States Armed Forces' air force. Originally established in 1947 when it gained independence from the U.S. Army, it traces its history back through the United States Army Air Forces, United States Army Air Corps, United States Army Air Service, the Division of Military Aeronautics, Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps, to the birth of Aeronautical Division, U.S. Signal Corps on 1 August 1907. The U.S. Air Force serves as the principal air service, responsible for aerial warfare operations. The U.S. Air Force is composed of the Regular Air Force, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard.[133] The U.S. Air Force is organized under the Department of the Air Force, which is a military department under the leadership of the secretary of the Air Force and under secretary of the Air Force. The U.S. Air Force itself is led by the chief of staff of the Air Force and vice chief of staff of the Air Force, both generals who are advised by the chief master sergeant of the Air Force. The five core missions of the Air Force are:[134] Air superiority Global integrated intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance Rapid global mobility Global strike Command and control Air Mobility Command C-17 Globemasters performing low-level flight training The eight specified functions of the Air Force are:[135] Conduct nuclear operations in support of strategic deterrence, to include providing and maintaining nuclear surety and capabilities. Conduct offensive and defensive operations, to include appropriate air and missile defense, to gain and maintain air superiority and air supremacy as required, to enable the conduct of operations by U.S. and allied land, sea, air, space, and special operations forces. Conduct global precision attack, to include strategic attack, interdiction, close air support, and prompt global strike. Provide timely, globally integrated intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capability and capacity from forward deployed locations and globally distributed centers to support world-wide operations. Provide rapid global mobility to employ and sustain organic air and space forces and other military service and U. S. Special Operations Command forces, as directed, to include airlift forces for airborne operations, air logistical support, tanker forces for in-flight refueling, and assets for aeromedical evacuation. Provide agile combat support to enhance the air and space campaign and the deployment, employment, sustainment, and redeployment of air and space forces and other forces operating within the air and space domains, to include joint air and space bases, and for the Armed Forces other than which is organic to the individual military services and U.S. Special Operations Command in coordination with the other military services, combatant commands, and U.S. Government departments and agencies. Conduct global personnel recovery operations including theater-wide combat and civil search and rescue in coordination with the other military services, combatant commands, and DoD components. Conduct globally integrated command and control for air and space operations. Combat Air Force Main articles: Air Combat Command, Air Force Global Strike Command, and Air Force Special Operations Command Two F-22A Raptors from the 90th Fighter Squadron The Combat Air Force (CAF) comprises the majority of the Air Force's combat power, consisting of its fighter, bomber, intercontinental ballistic missile, and special operations forces.[136] The Air Force's fighter forces are led by Air Combat Command's Fifteenth Air Force, with other fighter units under Pacific Air Forces and United States Air Forces in Europe. Air Force fighters are predominantly used to achieve air superiority and strike enemy ground and naval forces. The Air Force operates an expanding force of fifth-generation fighters. The F-22A Raptor stealth fighter is designed to replace the F-15C in air superiority operations carrying two AIM-9 Sidewinder and six AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles. It also has a significant air-to-ground mission, carrying two GBU-32 Joint Direct Attack Munition bombs, in addition to two AIM-9 and two AIM-120 missiles.[137] Ultimately, the F-22 is intended to be replaced by the sixth-generation fighter, Next Generation Air Dominance program.[138] The F-22 is complemented by the more numerous F-35A Lightning II multi-role stealth fighters, which are in the process of replacing the F-16C fighters and A-10 attack aircraft in air superiority and ground attack roles, to include the nuclear strike mission.[139][140] The Air Force still operates an extremely sizable force of fourth-generation fighters. The F-15C Eagle is a dedicated air superiority fighter, while the F-15E Strike Eagle has been modified to be a dual-role strike fighter, carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons.[141][142] The F-15C Eagle and F-15E Strike Eagle are both being replaced by the F-15EX Eagle II, which is significantly more advanced.[143] The F-16C Fighting Falcon is a multirole fighter that has served as the primary Air Force fighter for decades, including as a dual-capable tactical nuclear strike fighter.[144][145] The A-10C Thunderbolt II attack aircraft has been the first Air Force fighter specifically designed for close air support missions, operating against enemy ground forces and light naval ships with its GAU-8 Avenger gatling cannon and array of air-to-ground munitions.[146] A B-52 Stratofortress of the 2nd Bomb Wing and a B-2A Spirit of the 509th Bomb Wing flying in formation The Air Force's bomber forces are organized under Air Force Global Strike Command's Eighth Air Force, executing long-range strike operations. The B-2A Spirit stealth bomber is capable of conducting both conventional and nuclear strike operations flying through air defenses.[147] The B-1B Lancer, in contrast, is a supersonic bomber that carries only conventional munitions and serves as the backbone of the bomber force.[147] Both the B-2A Spirit and the B-1B Lancer are being replaced by the B-21 Raider stealth bomber, which can be equipped with both conventional and nuclear munitions.[148] The B-52H Stratofortress is a long-range, heavy bomber that the Air Force has flown since the 1950s and operates a variety of conventional and nuclear munitions, including the AGM-86 air-launched cruise missile.[149] The Air Force's intercontinental ballistic missile forces are organized under Air Force Global Strike Command's Twentieth Air Force, serving as the land component of the nuclear triad. The LGM-30G Minuteman III serves as the only ballistic missile operated by the Air Force, with 400 stationed in hardened silos.[150] The LGM-30G will be replaced by the LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile.[151] A formation of CV-22 Ospreys from the 353rd Special Operations Group The Air Force's special operations forces are organized under Air Force Special Operations Command, consisting of both special operations aviation and Air Force special tactics airmen on the ground. The AC-130J Ghostrider gunships have the primary mission of close air support and air interdiction, using cannons and precision guided munitions.[152] The MC-130J Commando II, also a variant of the C-130 Hercules, fly exfiltration and resupply operations for special operations forces, along with conducting air-to-air refueling for helicopters.[153] The CV-22 Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft used for the infiltration and exfiltration of special operations forces.[154] While not under Air Force Special Operations Command, rescue operations are supported by the HC-130J Combat King II and HH-60W Jolly Green II combat rescue aircraft.[155] The MQ-9 Reaper also serves as a remotely piloted intelligence and strike aircraft, serving under Air Force Special Operations Command and Air Combat Command.[156] Air Force Pararescue with a HH-60 helicopter in the background Air Force Special Tactics are the ground special warfare force of the U.S. Air Force, integrating air-ground operations. Special Tactics conduct four core missions. Global access teams assess and open airfields, ranging from international airports to dirt strips, in permissive or hostile locations to facilitate the landing and operation of air forces. Precision strike teams are trained to direct aircraft and other forces to conduct kinetic and non-kinetic strikes, as well as humanitarian aid drops. Special Tactics teams also conduct personnel recovery missions, possessing significant medical and rescue experience. Finally, Special Operations Surgical Teams conduct surgery and medical operations in battlefield operations in support of special operations.[157] The Air Force also operates a wide array of reconnaissance aircraft under Air Combat Command's Sixteenth Air Force, including the RQ-4 Global Hawk drone, U-2 Dragon Lady, and RC-135 Rivet Joint. Air Force operations are typically supported by command and control aircraft, such as the E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system. The E-3 Sentry is in the process of being replaced by the E-7A Wedgetail." (wikipedia.org) "This is a list of United States military helicopters. Platt-LePage XR-1 Experimental helicopter Platt-LePage Aircraft Company First helicopter tested by the USAAF.[1] 1941 Never 2 Sikorsky R-4 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation World's first large-scale mass-produced helicopter and the first helicopter used by the United States Army Air Forces.[2] 1942 Unknown 131 Sikorsky H-5 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 1943 1945 300 Sikorsky R-6 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation World War II 1943 1945 225 Kellett R-8 Experimental helicopter Kellett Autogiro Corporation Prototype. Program canceled 1946. 1944 Never 2 Bell H-13 Sioux Light observation helicopter Bell Aircraft Corporation Bell 47 variant. 1945 1946 2407 Bell H-12 Military utility helicopter Bell Aircraft Company Model 48 1946 Never 13[3] Kellett XR-10 Military transport helicopter Kellett Autogiro Corporation Prototype. Program canceled 1949. 1947 Never 2 Sikorsky S-52 Utility helicopter Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 1947 1951 93 Kaman HH-43 Huskie Firefighting/rescue Kaman Aircraft 1953 1958[4] 193 Piasecki HUP Utility helicopter Piasecki Helicopter The « Army Mule ». 1948 1949 339 Hiller OH-23 Raven Multipurpose light helicopter Hiller Aircraft 1948 1950 2000 McCulloch MC-4 Light helicopter McCulloch Aircraft Corporation Evaluated by the United States Army as the YH-30 and the United States Navy as the XHUM-1. 1948 Never Unknown Sikorsky H-19 Utility helicopter Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 1949 1950 1102 Vertol H-21 Cargo helicopter Piasecki Helicopter 1952 1954 707 American Helicopter XH-26 Jet Jeep Experimental tip jet observation helicopter American Helicopter 1952 Never 5 Sikorsky CH-37 Mojave Assault Transport Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Large heavy lift helicopter used by the Army designated "Mojave" and Marines nicknamed "Deuce" 1953 1956 153 Cessna CH-1 Skyhook Light helicopter Cessna Only helicopter ever built by the Cessna Aircraft Company. 1953[5] 1956 ~50 De Lackner HZ-1 Aerocycle Experimental rotorcraft de Lackner Helicopters Prototype. Program canceled. 1954 Never 12 Sikorsky H-34 Anti-submarine warfare helicopter Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 1954 1954 2108 Bell 201 Experimental helicopter Bell Aircraft 1954 Never 1 Bell UH-1 Iroquois Utility helicopter Bell Aircraft The UH-1 was in the service of the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Nicknamed the "Huey" because the original Army designation was HU-1. 1956 1959 >16,000 Hughes TH-55 Osage Light utility and trainer helicopter Hughes Helicopters Model 269/Model 300 1956 Never 2,800 Sikorsky S-62 SAR/utility helicopter Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation It was used by the United States Coast Guard. 1958 1961 175 Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King ASW/SAR/utility helicopter Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation used as the official helicopters of the President of the United States Marine One 1959 1961 1500 Sikorsky S-61R Medium-lift transport/SAR helicopter Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation The S-61R served in the United States Air Force and in the United States Coast Guard. 1959 1961 Unknown Kaman SH-2 Seasprite Anti-submarine warfare helicopter Kaman Aircraft 1959 1962 184 Boeing CH-47 Chinook Transport helicopter Boeing 1961 1962 1180 Sikorsky CH-54 Heavy-lift cargo helicopter Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 1962 1964 105 Boeing CH-46 Sea Knight Cargo helicopter Boeing From 2004, Used only by the United States Marine Corps until 2015 retirement. 1962 1964 524 Hughes OH-6 Cayuse Light Observation Helicopter / Utility Hughes Helicopters Won a prototype run off between Bell, Hiller and Hughes. The Bell prototype went on to become the OH-58. The OH-6 itself is the parent of the MD 500 and MH-6 variants. 1963 1966 1420 MD Helicopters MH-6 Little Bird Light Observation Helicopter MD Helicopters Derived from OH-6 lineage; used for special operations in the United States Army. 1963 1980 ? Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion Heavy-lift cargo helicopter Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 1964 1966 500 Bell AH-1 Cobra Attack helicopter Bell Helicopter Textron Was developed by Bell as an independent concept armed helicopter. The majority of parts are interchangeable with the UH-1 series. The AH1-W and Z are used in the US Marine Corps 1965 1967 1116 Bell 206 Multipurpose Utility helicopter Bell Aircraft Corporation Common prototype with OH-58. 1966 1967 7300 Bell OH-58 Kiowa Observation/scout helicopter Bell Aircraft Corporation Five versions: OH-58A, OH-58C, OH58C/S, OH-58D, OH-58D Kiowa Warrior 1966 1969 2200 Bell UH-1N Twin Huey Utility helicopter Bell Textron 1969 1970 Unknown Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne Attack helicopter Lockheed Corporation Prototype. Program canceled 1972. 1967 Never 10 Sikorsky MH-53 Heavy-lift helicopter Sikorsky Aircraft U.S. Air Force variant of the CH-53. 1967 1968 72 Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion Heavy-lift cargo helicopter Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 1974 1981 ~170[6][7][8] Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk Utility helicopter Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Black Hawks have served in combat during conflicts in Grenada, Panama, Iraq, Somalia, the Balkans, Afghanistan, and other areas in the Middle East. 1974 1979 2600 Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk[9] Combat Search and Rescue helicopter Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation This is another variant of the U.S. Army's UH-60 Blackhawk. 1974 1982 101 Bell YAH-63 Attack helicopter Bell Model 409. Particaped in the Advanced Attack Helicopter (AAH) competition. Lost to the YAH-64. 1975 Never 3 Boeing AH-64 Apache Attack helicopter Boeing Manufactured by McDonnell-Douglas after buyout of Hughes Helicopters. 1975 1984 1174 MD 500 Defender Light multi-role helicopter MD Helicopters Based on the Hughes OH-6 Cayuse light utility helicopter. Originally developed by Hughes Helicopters. Purchased by McDonnell-Douglas, eventually sold to MD Helicopters. 1976 1976 471 Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk Multimission maritime helicopter Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk variant. 1979 1984 Unknown Sikorsky HH-60H U.S. Navy Special Operations and Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) helicopter Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk variant. Unknown 1982 112 Eurocopter MH-65 Dolphin Search and rescue helicopter Aérospatiale Helicopter Corporation American Eurocopter Used by the United States Coast Guard 1980 1985 102 Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite ASW helicopter Kaman Aircraft 1985 1993 Unknown Boeing-Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche Reconnaissance and attack helicopter Boeing/Sikorsky Prototype. Program canceled 2004.[10] 1996 Never 5 Eurocopter UH-72 Lakota Utility helicopter Eurocopter Adapted from the Eurocopter EC145 and built in Columbus, Mississippi. 1999 2006[11] 250 Bell AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter Bell 2000 2010 229 Bell UH-1Y Venom Utility helicopter Bell Aircraft Corporation The UH-1Y Venom is currently in full-rate production to replace the UH-1N Twin Huey 2001 2008 92 Boeing AH-6 Light attack/reconnaissance helicopter Boeing Rotorcraft Systems ULB: September 8, 2004 MELB: September 20, 2006 In development Unknown Bell ARH-70 Arapaho Armed reconnaissance helicopter Bell Aircraft Corporation Prototype. Program canceled 2008.[12] 2006 Never 4 Piasecki X-49 Experimental high-speed compound helicopter Piasecki Helicopter Prototype under development. 2007 1 Lockheed Martin VH-71 Kestrel Executive transport helicopter Lockheed Martin AgustaWestland Bell Helicopter (assembly) Variant of the AgustaWestland AW101 designed to replace the United States Marine Corps' Marine One presidential transport fleet. In January 2005, the US101 was selected for the VXX Presidential Helicopter Replacement Program, and was promptly re-designated as the VH-71. However, development was subject to delays, cost overruns, and engineering issues. 2007 Canceled 9 X2 Experimental compound helicopter Sikorsky Aircraft / Schweizer Aircraft 2008 Never 1 Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion Heavy-lift cargo helicopter Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Developed from the Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion. 2015 2022[13] 9 Sikorsky VH-92 Patriot Medium-lift transport/utility helicopter Sikorsky Aircraft Developed to replace the United States Marine Corps' Marine One U.S. presidential transport fleet. It is a militarized variant of the Sikorsky S-92. 2017 In development Unknown Sikorsky-Boeing SB-1 Defiant Compound helicopter Sikorsky Aircraft / Boeing Sikorsky Aircraft and Boeing entry for the United States Army's Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft program to replace the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk. Army selected the rival Bell V-280 Valor as the winner of the program. 2019 Never ?" (wikipedia.org) "Building blocks (also construction blocks) are modular construction parts, usually made of plastic, which can be assembled in a form-fit manner. The basic components are usually cuboid-shaped, cylindrically studded at the top in a grid pattern, hollow-bodied at the bottom and smooth at the sides. The structured upper surface interacts by friction and positive locking with the correspondingly negative lower surface of other clamping components, so that complex designs can be assembled. The design allows the parts to be connected with compressive force and the blocks to be clamped with plastic pins. Characteristics According to the systematics of science of play, most clamping building block systems belong to the game classification of educational toys or more specific construction toys. Characteristic features of building blocks are: modularity: According to the construction set principle, the whole can be divided into parts and reassembled along defined locations. Variability: as few as seven 4×2 bricks of the same color can be combined in over 85 billion ways. Recombinability: bricks can be arranged differently to each other again and again. Desirable characteristics are: Fit: Tolerances of a few micrometers prevent jamming, stepping, or detectable gaps between bricks. Elasticity: By slightly deforming the stones during clamping, a permanent clamping or mechanical adhesive effect is achieved. The tiny difference in size between the nub and the stud receptacle must be compensated for elastically. However, some early building bricks were not designed to clamp together, rather relied upon gravity alone to hold structures together. Shape, color and thermostability: Despite the mechanical stress of the bricks, no plastic deformation or fracture should occur due to deformation or shock, neither function nor appearance should be diminished. Chemical stability: high resistance to weathering, natural ultraviolet and ionizing radiation. Wear resistance despite reversibility: clamp connections should be mechanically separable residue-free, with as little abrasion as possible. The studs of clamping components initially hold in the other component by static friction, so called stiction, which is supported by plasticity of the selected material - it prevents them from simply slipping out of the other component again. In terms of clamping components, the force required to pull a stud out of its holder is also known colloquially as the "clamping force". Blocks from different manufacturers sometimes differ in this respect. The main force acting transversely to the studs is the form fit. Delimitation Compared to most ceramic or wooden kits, constructions can be created that can also withstand (to a limited extent) tensile forces. Compared to metal building sets or de:Metallbaukasten, however, building block sets have only weak cohesiveness, since they usually do not require special connectors; however, cohesiveness can be increased by form-fitting cross-connections. Metal construction sets are usually more room-forming and about linkage constructions. Pedagogical Merit The handling of building block toys requires and trains the visuomotor, the coordination of visual and haptic perception and the movement apparatus (eye-hand coordination, force dosage buildup), fine motor skills,[1] color perception, spatial visualization ability and spatial cognition therein, and mental anticipation of action steps. It promotes creativity, imagination as well as the play instinct and serves as a self-efficacy experience.[1] Motor skills, spatial visualization ability and spatial cognition are particularly stimulated when the size of the blocks allows for the building of life-sized objects. Large blocks also favor collaboration and team work. Material Building blocks are almost always made from thermoplastic using the injection molding process.[3] (For other materials, see chapter Sustainability.) The material of the building blocks must be elastic to compensate for the difference in size between the studs and the recess and to create a permanent clamping effect, while remaining dimensionally stable and unbreakable even with multiple disassembly and reassembly and mechanical stress like tensile or compressing loads. Surfaces should be smooth but grippy and have tolerances of only a few micrometers, as the top and bottom of the clamping components serve as plug-in socket for each other. Lego Lego initially used the material cellulose acetate, an acetate ester of cellulose.[4][5] Since 1963, Lego bricks have been made of the plastic acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS).[6] Transparent building elements are made of polycarbonate ("Makrolon")[7] and axles because of its higher rotational stiffness made of polyamide (PA). ABS has a low specific gravity with a density of 1.03 to 1.07 g-cm−3. Thanks to its good resistance to impact, it is breaking strength, and a surface hardness of 50-60 hardness test by Shore makes it scratch-resistant to fingernails. The material is resistant to aqueous chemicals, but is unresistant to solvents such as acetone.[8] The plastic component tolerates heating up to a temperature of 80 °C and has good mechanical and acoustic damping properties. The amorphous thermoplastics are matt glossy, different colors are producible. Sustainability The polymer degradation of building blocks made from acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) can take between 100 and 1300 years in the ocean, depending on conditions,[9] according to a University of Plymouth research finding,[10] which is why some manufacturers are looking to switch to sustainable raw materials; some manufacturers make Lego-compatible bricks from wood,[10] for example, from bioethanol[11] or use resins from natural materials as a base,[12] likewise, packaging is sometimes intended to become more environmentally friendly.[13] There are also building blocks made of cardboard.[14] History In 1934, the Rubber Specialties Company in the United States started production of its Bild-O-Brik rubber system.[15] From 1935 to 1976, the Premo Rubber Company manufactured the Minibrix.[16] The system consisted of brown rubber blocks with a basic grid size of 1 by 1⁄2 by 3⁄8 inch (25 mm × 13 mm × 9.5 mm).[17] Beginning in 1939, Halsam Products manufactured its American Bricks from pressed wood.[18] "ELGO Plastics, Inc. was established as a division of Halsam Products Company in 1941." It produced building blocks under the name American Plastic Bricks from 1946, and was the dominant American supplier through the 1950's.[19] A full history of Halsam and its founders cites the existence of interlocking plastic bricks prior to LEGO in America.[20] In 1949, the Danish company Lego began industrial production of its Automatic Binding Brick, which, however, like its predecessors, was hollow inside and therefore produced very little adhesion. The bricks are an almost identical copy[21] of the 1947 Self-locking Building Bricks of the English brand Kiddicraft by toy developer Hilary Page.[22] In the 1997 publication Developing a Product, Lego explicitly refers to the origin of the building blocks: Automatic Binding Bricks [...] were inspired by a couple of British plastic building bricks by the Kiddicraft company and sold only in Britain. [...] we modified the design of the brick [...]. The modifications [...] included straightening round corners and converting inches to cm and mm, which altered the size by approx. 0.1 mm in relation to the Kiddicraft brick. The studs on the bricks were also flattened in top. — Maaike Lauwaert, Developing a Product. 1997.[23] Possible combinations Building blocks can be combined with each other in many ways. Two same-colored 4×2 bricks can be arranged in 24 ways, with three this is already 1560. The number of combinations increases to over 85 billion with only seven same-colored 4×2 bricks,[24] as a paper from the Mathematics Department of Aarhus University states. All 24 ways to arrange two 4×2 bricks of the same color. All white pairs are each already represented by one of the red pairs. Amount of same colored 4×2-bricks resulting possible combinations 1 1 2 24 3 1,560 4 119,580 5 10,116,403 6 915,103,765 7 85,747,377,755 Models and manufacturers The building blocks are usually sold in building block sets with building instructions, less often as single-variety or mixed bulk. In addition to the main model of a set, building instructions for an alternative model ("B-model") are occasionally included, often advertised as such ("2-in-1", "3-in-1"). Building blocks are produced in different shapes, sizes and systems worldwide by various manufacturers,[26] with the majority of manufacturers following Lego's construction dimensions, a grid size of 8 × 8 mm (and other shape specifications), to keep their plug-in systems compatible. In addition to the standard shapes, most manufacturers produce special bricks onto which, in turn, bricks of the type described at the beginning can be placed or clamped. Ready-to-assemble giant cardboard blocks have also recently appeared on the market:[2] due to their size they are sold as flat cardboard sheets that are then assembled into big building blocks. Some manufacturers concentrate on so-called MOCs ("My Own Creation"), which have been developed by brick fans and released or licensed for reproduction. Litigation for trademark protection Lego system The Lego company repeatedly sued competing building block manufacturers in court. The were mostly unsuccessful, as the courts evaluated the functional design of the base brick as an issue of patent rather than trademark law, and all relevant Lego patents have expired. Lego itself largely adopted the dimensions of the bricks in the late 1940s from an invention by British toy developer Hilary Page.[27][28] Lego and Tyco Toys fought in U.S. courts over Tyco's interlocking bricks in the 1980s, with both manufacturers claiming victory.[29][30] On August 31, 1987, a U.S. District Court ruled that Tyco could continue to manufacture Lego system-compatible bricks with the product name Super Blocks, but ordered Tyco to cease and desist from using the Lego trademark and from advertising with "Lego, but only cheaper". Lego's Hong Kong against Tyco Super Blocks obtained an injunction forcing Tyco to stop making Lego-compatible bricks from after 1973. Tyco was also sued by Lego in Austria, Italy and Canada.[29] The Canadian manufacturer Mega Bloks was sued, Lego asserting that their use of the composite brick system of "studs and tubes" was an infringement of the trademarks held by Lego. On November 17, 2005, the Supreme Court of Canada upheld the right of Mega Bloks to continue selling the product in Canada.[31] On November 12, 2008, the General Court (European Union) made a similar decision.[32] On September 14, 2010, the European Court of Justice ruled that the eight-stud design of the original Lego brick "only fulfills a technical function [and] cannot be registered as a trademark" (regarding brick replica; however, it is still protected as a 3D trademark regarding advertising purposes/company logos and suchlike).[33] The English company Best-Lock Construction Toys sued Lego in German courts in 2004 and 2009.[34] In the latter case, the German Federal Supreme Court rejected Lego trademark protection for the shape of its bricks.[35] In 2002, Lego's Swiss subsidiary Interlego AG successfully sued the company Tianjin CoCo Toy Co. Ltd. for copyright infringement. An appeals court found that many CoCo sets violated existing law. CoCo was ordered to stop manufacturing the infringing sets, publish a formal apology in the Beijing Daily, and pay a small compensation to Interlego. On appeal, the Supreme People's Court in Beijing upheld the court's ruling.[36] In 2000, Lego applied for a three-dimensional trademark for its minifigures, which Best Lock had already duplicated in 1998. Thus, Best Lock sued in 2012 to revoke the trademark. On June 16, 2015, the European Court of Justice upheld Lego's figure trademark.[37] Lego had filed its copyright claims in a U.S. customs database in 2009, which led to the confiscation of Best Lock shipments from Asia. In October 2011, Lego filed ain United States District Court in Hartford against Best-Lock over the minifigure trademark.[27] Mega Bloks won a case in the EU Court of Justice in 2010 against Lego's trademark registration of a red toy brick.[38] Jon Capriola came up with the idea of a light-up brick called Laser Pegs in 2002, which was patented in 2006 and finally granted in 2009. Lawrence Rosen of LaRose Industries was approached by Capriola to invest in the company at the North American International Toy Fair in February 2011. Instead, Rosen applied for and received an accelerated patent in 2012, and LaRose Industries' Cra-Z-Art division then began producing Lite Brix light-up blocks. In 2013, Capriola's company sued Rosen for patent infringement, while Rosen filed for cancellation of his patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.[39] In 2014, Light Stax was introduced as another LED light-compatible brick.[40] In 2011, Lego sued Guangdong Jumbo Grand Plastic Moulding Industrial for counterfeit packaging of BanBao. The two companies settled out of court, with Guangdong agreeing to issue standalone packaging and produce a new figure called ToBees.[41] In 2016, Lego announced that it would take legal action against Chinese manufacturer Guangdong Loongon, which produces the Lepin brand and is known for plagiarisms[42] of Lego sets.[43] In 2019, counterfeit Lego sets worth 26 million euros were seized in raids by Chinese police.[42] In 2021, Lego has obtained a cease-and-desist declaration in the German-speaking countries, according to which only original Lego bricks may also be called Lego. The cease-and-desist declaration argues that Lego is a wordmark. For many, however, Lego is a so-called deonym (word from a proper name or generalized brand name), i.e. (also) a generic name, which is to be prevented. The root cause can be found in the trademark act. Thus, for example, complex words have arisen in the German language that attempt to dignify the cease-and-desist declaration, which, however, is also understandable considering the history of the building block. Thus, it must be internalized that Lego is only a manufacturer of building blocks." (wikipedia.org)
Price: 99.99 USD
Location: Santa Ana, California
End Time: 2025-01-04T11:22:11.000Z
Shipping Cost: 10.01 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Compatible Brand: For Fischertechnik, For Forever Clever, For FUN LITTLE TOYS, For K'NEX, For Klutz, For KRE-O, For LEGO, For MEGA, For Mega Construx, For Nifeliz, For BanBao, For Cobi, For Ionix, For Lite Brix, For Minimates, For TYCO Super Blocks, For Kid Connection, For Early Learning Centre, For Mega Bloks, For Sluban, For Wange, For Mould King, For burgkidz, For BlueBrixx, For Cada, For Pantasy, For Mork, For Best-Lock, For QMan, For HogoKids
Character: Air Force, Marine, Naval Agent, Armed Forces
Number of Pieces: 144
Retired: Yes
Material: Plastic
Year Manufactured: 2015
Age Level: 7+
Brand: Best-Lock
Type: Interlocking Blocks
Release Year: 2015
Packaging: Box
Theme: Arts and Crafts, Construction, Helicopters, Military, Military & Weaponry, Planes, Travel, Vehicles & Transportation, Aircraft, Armed Forces, Air Force, Aviation
Features: Limited Edition, 3 Minifigures Included, Retired, Rare
Year Retired: 2015
Country/Region of Manufacture: China
Character Family: Air Force
Product Line: Military
