{"title":"United States Air Force","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"atlas-icbm-missile-weapon-system-technical-manual-hardcover","title":"Atlas ICBM Missile Weapon System Technical Manual - Hardcover","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe first ICBM to be developed and deployed by the United States, the Atlas had a range of 5500 nautical miles and could achieve a speed of 15,500 mph. Depending on configuration, it could be equipped with either a W-49 (1.45 megaton) or W-38 (4.5 megaton) thermonuclear warhead. The Atlas' development can be traced to a series of research and development studies performed in the wake of WWII by the Convair company. These led to the company winning a contract in 1951 for a long range missile. The three-engine XSM-65A design that eventually emerged featured a thin skin, inflated by internal fuel pressure like a balloon, and had \"\"one and a half\"\" stages. In this configuration, both the main booster and sustainer engines ignited at lift-off, with the boosters dropped in flight. (This unique feature was intended to make certain the sustainer engine could fire at high altitudes, something later determined to not be a problem). The missile burned kerosene and liquid oxygen fuel, and relied on a radio-command \/ inertial guidance system. After some teething problems including the loss of the prototype Atlas, the missile flew successfully on December 17, 1957. A little under two years later, the first USAF Atlas ICBM squadron consisting of three missiles on unprotected pads was activated at Vandenburg AFB. Subsequent deployments featured hardened \"\"coffins\"\" in which the missile would be stored horizontally. After a launch order was issued, the Atlas would be raised, fueled, and launched - a hazardous process that took about fifteen minutes. The system's inherent vulnerability and long reaction time eventually led the Air Force to construct silos similar to those used with the Titan I, which lowered the response time considerably. The use of volatile fuel mixtures in the confined silo environment proved to be extremely dangerous however, and led to four catastrophic accidents. As second generation missiles came on the scene such as the Titan II and Minuteman, Atlas became obsolete. By April 1965, all Atlas ICBMs were phased out. At the peak 129 of the missiles were deployed, and nearly 350 were built during the program. Many of these would be recycled as launch vehicles for satellites. Notably, members of the Atlas family placed four of America's Mercury astronauts in orbit. Created by the Air Force for the men who stood \"\"on alert\"\" with the Atlas, this technical manual contains descriptions of the HGM-16F missile, launch complex, handling and transport, checkout and launch operations, emergency procedures, and more. Originally restricted, it has been declassified and is reprinted here in book form. Some portions have been reformatted, but care has been taken to preserve the integrity of the text.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51367720878303,"sku":"9781940453521","price":64.75,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0813\/8958\/4607\/files\/ecPtIlVsgg9781940453521.webp?v=1789113374"},{"product_id":"northrop-yf-23a-flight-manual-paperback","title":"Northrop YF-23A Flight Manual - Paperback","description":"","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51367725891807,"sku":"9781931641647","price":45.83,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0813\/8958\/4607\/files\/S5FWaSCJc-9781931641647.webp?v=1789113383"},{"product_id":"beechcraft-t-34-mentor-pilots-flight-operating-instructions-paperback","title":"Beechcraft T-34 Mentor Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eDesigned in 1948 by the brilliant Walter Beech, the T-34 Mentor was intended as a low cost replacement for the T-6\/NJ Texan. The aircraft bore many similarities to the Beechcraft Bonanza, but had a two-seat cockpit with bubble canopy, and a conventional tail. The original T-34s were equipped with a piston engine. Fifteen years after production ceased, the design was upgraded and deliveries began of a turbo-prop equipped T-34C Turbo-Mentor, which remained in production until 1990. The T-34 is one of the most reliable aircraft of its type with many remaining in service today, six decades after it was first produced. Over 2300 Mentors in various versions were produced worldwide, including the T-34A for the Air Force and the T-34B variant for the U.S. Navy.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51367733395679,"sku":"9781937684624","price":21.55,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0813\/8958\/4607\/files\/7R1xJvsTTU9781937684624.webp?v=1789113396"},{"product_id":"b-58-hustler-pilots-flight-operating-instructions-paperback","title":"B-58 Hustler Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe USAF's first jet-powered bomber capable of reaching Mach 2.0, the Convair B-58 Hustler carried a crew of three and a nuclear payload. A complex aircraft, the B-58 suffered teething problems during development and became infamous for its maintenance requirements. It also compiled a dubious safety record: out of 116 Hustlers, 26 were lost in accidents. Nevertheless, the B-58's career spanned nearly a decade between 1960-70. It might have continued even longer, but Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara believed the aircraft, which was designed for high-speed, high-altitude tactical approach, was vulnerable to air-to-air missile attack. Its replacement the F-111A Aardvark would be designed to perform a low approach attack. Originally printed by the U.S. Air Force, this B-58A flight operating manual taught pilots everything they needed to know before entering the cockpit. Originally classified \"Restricted\", this manual was declassified long ago and is here reprinted in book form.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51367735165151,"sku":"9781937684938","price":53.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0813\/8958\/4607\/files\/IDxQAhRepm9781937684938.webp?v=1789113399"},{"product_id":"mcdonnell-douglas-f-15e-strike-eagle-pilots-flight-operating-instructions-paperback","title":"McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eDeveloped as a derivative of the F-15 Eagle air superiority fighter, McDonnell Douglas' (now Boeing) F-15E Strike Eagle has a radically different mission: to launch deep interdiction missions without additional fighter support or jamming. Since its first flight in 1986, the F-15E has performed a variety of missions including deep strikes against high-value enemy targets in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Allied Force, and providing close air support. It can carry over 23,000 pounds of payload, including the JDAM, AIM-9X, AGM-130 and AMRAAM, and is equipped with an Active Electronically Scanned Array radar system. With its service life expected to reach to 2035 and beyond, the F-15E can be said to serve as the backbone of the U.S. Air Force. Its unparalleled range, persistence and weapons load make it indispensable. Developed in 1990, this 660-page, unclassified F-15E pilot manual is a wonderful resource for museum docents, historians, modelers, gamers, and anyone else who ever wondered what it would be like to sit in the cockpit of the Strike Eagle.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51367744340191,"sku":"9781935700432","price":53.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0813\/8958\/4607\/files\/qc-i7ER1bq9781935700432.webp?v=1789113416"}],"url":"https:\/\/blackandbarhe.com\/collections\/united-states-air-force.oembed","provider":"Black \u0026 Barhe Bookstore","version":"1.0","type":"link"}