Amazing Military Machines

How would you like to have your own special airplane, stocked with food and fuel and ready to take you anywhere in the world? If you're the president of the United States, you have all that and more in Air Force One! This book offers young readers a behind-the-scenes look at Air Force One, from cockpit to presidential suite. It answers questions about what makes Air Force One unique, who gets to ride in it, and how it keeps the president safe. Readers also find a historical overview of presidential airplanes, full-color photographs, and fast facts about this amazing machine.

Militaries use robots and drones in the air, on the ground, and underwater all around the world. Drones spy on targets and robots disable bombs to get the job done!

Militaries use amazing vehicles on the water. Aircraft carriers and submarines are just a few of the mighty military machines that get the job done!

Militaries need tough fighting machines on land. Tanks and other vehicles roll through deserts and speed through rugged mountains to get the job done!

Militaries need fast and powerful machines in the air. Fighter jets, cargo planes, and other amazing aircraft zoom over land and water to get the job done!

Fighter planes first raced through the skies in World War I. Since then, the technology that keeps these machines aloft has advanced rapidly. This book describes the science behind the jet engine and how it has been harnessed to create the world's fastest planes. The earliest fighter planes have given way to advanced models that can evade radar and cross extraordinary distances. Readers encounter full-color images that illustrate the transformation of fighter planes through time. With simple descriptions that footnote the role of fighter planes in military history, this book offers young readers an introduction to a powerful military machine.

Unlike an airplane, a helicopter can move in all directions and hover in place with the help of its rotors. These abilities make helicopters useful tools for multiple branches of the military. In this introduction to military helicopters, young readers find an overview of the history of helicopters and a survey of the most popular types used to transport troops and cargo. With full-color photographs and a diagram of a helicopter, this book gives readers a new understanding of the mighty role this machine plays in the military.

Aircraft carriers have played an important role in the military for over 100 years. These floating airports have evolved over time to provide a base for jets, helicopters, airplanes, and thousands of sailors at sea. This book introduces young readers to the history of aircraft carriers with facts about their use in the U.S. Navy. Full-color photographs bring the massive machines to life and help readers understand how they operate. Readers look beyond the flight deck to see how all the moving parts come together and keep these massive machines afloat.

When you need to cross both land and sea, an amphibious vehicle is the right tool for the job. These amazing machines can traverse a variety of terrains to safely transport people and supplies. In this book, young learners discover the history of amphibious vehicles in the military, tracking their development from early prototypes to the sophisticated models used today. Through text and photographs, readers can examine the clever modifications of modern amphibious vehicles and explore the possibilities for future versions.

One of the most formidable military machines is the tank. With an armored exterior that keeps its small crew safe inside, a tank can easily navigate uneven ground and fire its cannon in any direction. Prompted by the changing nature of war, the design of tanks has developed over time to meet new needs. This book provides readers with an overview of that evolution and a glimpse into the future of military tanks. Full-color photographs and a labeled diagram illustrate the engineering behind these powerful vehicles.