US Military Aircraft Evolution
1917–Present · Army · Navy · Marines · Lend-Lease · Export · Transport · Rotary Wing
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US Military Aircraft Evolution

This visualization traces over a century of American military aviation — from WWI biplanes to fifth-generation stealth fighters, carrier attack jets, strategic bombers, cargo airlifters, the full spectrum of rotary-wing aircraft, and now the complete UAV lineage from the 1951 Ryan Firebee through the Predator, Reaper, Global Hawk, and the MQ-25 Stingray carrier drone. Each node represents a significant aircraft class; gold lineage lines show direct design descent; dashed lines show design influence; the teal Martin thread traces the Maryland-built flying boat dynasty.

Use the service, nation, and conflict era filters to isolate what you want to explore — including the new UAV/Drone filter for Lane 7. Toggle 📍 Active at year to see exactly which aircraft were flying at any point in history. Hover any node to illuminate its full ancestor and descendant chain. The Surprise button is the best way to discover something you didn't know you didn't know.

Developed and researched by Claude AI (Anthropic) · March 21, 2026 · Corrections, suggestions, or additional sources are welcome via GitHub Issues

Service
USAF
Naval
Attack
Bomber
Transport
Flying Boats
Rotary Wing
UAV / Drone
Fairchild/Republic (Hagerstown)
Glenn L. Martin (Middle River, Baltimore)
Lend-Lease Primary
Lineage
Martin MD lineage
Influence
Nation Filter
Conflict Era
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Connection Line Guide

Lineage — Direct evolution. One aircraft was formally developed from its predecessor; the design team built on the earlier airframe, engine, or aerodynamic work. Example: P-26 → P-36 → P-40 Warhawk fighter progression.
Republic Aviation lineage — The gold thread connecting four generations of "Thunderbolt" aircraft from Republic Aviation (Farmingdale, NY): P-47 Thunderbolt → F-84 Thunderjet → F-105 Thunderchief → A-10 Thunderbolt II. Republic consciously inherited design philosophy across 35 years.
Glenn L. Martin Company lineage — The teal thread connecting Martin aircraft built at Middle River, Baltimore County, MD. Martin's flying boats and bombers share a continuous design lineage from the MB-2 biplane bomber through the P5M Marlin patrol aircraft.
Influence — One design inspired or shaped another without being a direct parent. Shared concepts, doctrine, or lessons learned — but not shared hardware. Example: P-51 Mustang → F-86 Sabre; captured German swept-wing data influenced both, and early Sabre development studied Mustang aerodynamics.
Hover
any node
Hover lineage — Mouse over any aircraft to illuminate its full ancestor and descendant chain. Connected nodes brighten; unrelated nodes dim. Connection lines on the active chain thicken. The Republic gold chain and Martin teal chain are especially striking when highlighted.
USAF / Army Air Corps
Fighters & air superiority
Naval Aviation
Navy & Marine Corps
Attack · CAS · Lend-Lease
Ground support & export
Strategic Bombers
Heavy, nuclear & stealth
Transport Aviation
Airlift & logistics
★ Fairchild / Hagerstown
Flying Boats & Maritime Patrol
Patrol, rescue & heavy transport
★ Glenn L. Martin
Middle River, MD
Rotary Wing
Army · Navy · USMC · USAF
Helicopters & tiltrotor
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Recon · Strike · Stealth · Carrier
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↗ Wikipedia Article ↗ Reference
YEAR
1940