Format: Hardback
Pages: 473
ISBN: 9781624106958
Pub Date: October 2023
Usually available in 6-8 weeks
Description:
The Aircraft Designers, A Northrop Grumman Historical Perspective, Volume 2 tells the story of the aircraft designers and teammates who created, designed, developed, and tested many manned and unmanned aircraft over the course of more than 100 years, starting from the days when Jack Northrop was a draftsman engineer in 1916. These innovators, who devoted their time, intellect, and passion to the most demanding of technological industries, are remembered and brought to life in these books through stories and photos. An eagerly awaited follow-up to Ciminera’s previous book, The Aircraft Designers: A Grumman Historical Perspective, this comprehensive two-volume history covers a longer historical period (nominally 100 years versus 65 years); provides a deeper look at the design evolution and characteristics; allows the reader to graphically see design trends with the addition of special charts as opposed to just verbal descriptions; and includes a large chapter devoted to targets and unmanned autonomous systems. In this second volume, Chapter 1 covers the evolution of stealth and the lineage of the B-2. Chapter 2 gives the reader an extensive look at targets and unmanned autonomous system developments from 1935 until today; and Chapter 3 examines technology demonstrators, attack aircraft, and legacy programs from the Grumman acquisition in 1994 including the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning system and the EA-18G Growler electronic counter measures system. Chapter 4 discusses how the challenging role of the aircraft designer has changed, including selected designer profiles numbering over forty individuals, followed by a tribute to the Northrop and Northrop Grumman retirees, many of whom are well into their nineties. Presenting research and photographs from over 150 sources including interviews, private collections, museums, libraries, universities, letters, company periodicals, past stockholder reports, and more, The Aircraft Designers: A Northrop Grumman Historical Perspective, Volume 2 is a valuable resource for engineering students, faculty, historians, pilots, military personnel, government agency personnel, collectors, hobbyists, model aircraft builders, and the aerospace community at large.