Fighter Jet Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. During probe-and-drogue aerial refueling, what is the drogue?
The rigid fuel boom controlled by an operator in the tanker
The basket-like device that stabilizes the hose and receives the aircraft’s probe
A sensor that measures fuel temperature inside the tanker
The fighter’s retractable arresting hook
2. What is the primary purpose of an afterburner on a jet engine?
To produce a temporary increase in thrust by burning additional fuel in the exhaust stream
To reduce fuel consumption by recirculating hot exhaust through the compressor
To cool turbine blades during prolonged low-speed flight
To reverse exhaust flow and shorten the aircraft’s landing roll
3. An aircraft designer selects a delta wing for a high-speed fighter. Which characteristic is most closely associated with that choice?
Exceptional efficiency during slow, unpowered gliding
Elimination of induced drag at every flight speed
A strong structure and favorable performance at high speeds
The ability to hover without a separate lift system
4. The MiG-15 became a prominent fighter during which conflict?
The Korean War
The Gulf War
The Falklands War
The Iran–Iraq War
5. Which aircraft was developed through a partnership involving the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain?
Eurofighter Typhoon
Saab JAS 39 Gripen
General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon
Dassault Rafale
6. Which fighter is especially well known for using variable-sweep wings that change angle in flight?
F-14 Tomcat
F-16 Fighting Falcon
Dassault Rafale
F-35 Lightning II
7. An air-to-air missile uses active radar homing in its final phase. What does that mean?
It follows reflected laser light supplied continuously by the launching aircraft
It navigates exclusively by sensing the target’s engine heat
It can guide only while physically connected to the aircraft
It uses its own radar seeker to detect and home on the target
8. A mission requires a fighter variant capable of short takeoff and vertical landing. Which aircraft was specifically designed with that capability?
F-35A
F-22A
F-35B
F-15EX
9. In a modern fighter, what does a fly-by-wire system do?
It transmits radar imagery to another aircraft through a radio network
It converts pilot inputs into electronic signals processed by flight-control computers
It automatically navigates without accepting pilot commands
It moves the controls solely through direct mechanical cables
10. Several fighters are assigned to a combat air patrol over a fleet. What is their main purpose?
To refuel ships while they are underway
To recover pilots who have ejected over water
To monitor and defend the assigned airspace against airborne threats
To direct artillery fire against fixed ground positions
11. During a tight maneuver, a pilot commands a very high angle of attack and airflow begins separating from the wing. What aerodynamic condition is developing?
A sonic boom
An aerodynamic stall
Ground effect
A compressor surge
12. A fighter crew receives warning of an incoming radar-guided missile. Which countermeasure is intended primarily to confuse radar tracking?
A drag chute
A flare
Chaff
An arresting cable
13. Two aircraft are approaching, and a controller uses IFF equipment. What is the system designed to help determine?
Whether either aircraft has enough fuel to complete its mission
Which aircraft has the stronger radar transmitter
Whether the pilots can see each other visually
Whether a responding aircraft identifies itself as friendly
14. A fighter’s radar warning receiver begins displaying a threat indication. What has the system most likely detected?
Turbulence forming behind the fighter’s own wings
The visible exhaust plume of a nearby aircraft
A reduction in oxygen available to the pilot
Radar energy associated with another system searching, tracking, or guiding a weapon
15. Why are the wings of many high-speed fighters swept backward?
To keep the aircraft stable while parked in strong crosswinds
To delay adverse compressibility effects as the aircraft approaches the speed of sound
To allow the engines to operate without compressor blades
To make lift independent of airspeed and angle of attack
16. A fighter unit is tasked with suppressing enemy air defenses, commonly abbreviated SEAD. What is its central objective?
To map ocean currents for naval navigation
To escort transport aircraft through friendly civilian airspace
To deliver supplies to troops beyond helicopter range
To disrupt or destroy hostile surface-based air-defense systems