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Stealth

The Secret Contest to Invent Invisible Aircraft

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Stealth

By: Peter Westwick
Narrated by: David de Vries
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About this listen

On a moonless night in January 1991, a dozen US aircraft appeared in the skies over Baghdad. To the Iraqi air defenses, the planes seemed to come from nowhere. Each aircraft was more than 60 feet in length and with a wingspan of 40 feet, yet its radar footprint was the size of a ball bearing. Here was the first extensive combat application of Stealth technology. And it was devastating.

Radar has been in use since the 1930s and was essential to the Allies in World War II, when American investment in radar exceeded that in the Manhattan Project. The atom bomb ended the war, conventional wisdom has it, but radar won it. That experience also raised a question: could a plane be developed that was invisible to radar? That question, and the seemingly impossible feat of physics and engineering behind it, took on increasing urgency during the Cold War.

Combining nail-biting narrative, incisive explanation of the science and technology involved, and indelible portraits of unforgettable characters, kimmerses readers in the story of an innovation with revolutionary implications for modern warfare.

©2019 Peter Westwick (P)2021 Tantor Aeronautics & Astronautics Air Forces Armed Forces Astronomy & Space Science History History & Culture Military Russia Science War Thought-Provoking Programming Aviation

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All stars
Most relevant  
Brilliant book, I really enjoyed it a lot especially all that engineering details of technical challenges both firms Lockheed and Northrop had to overcome. It’s a also a great inside how political and military changes influences aircraft designs. Another interesting element is economics of these enormous projects. Overall fanatic read, highly recommended for all aircraft geeks.

Fascinating Cold War engineering story

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A great insight into stealth technology and all the brilliant minds behind it that made it a reality.

A fascinating peek into Stealth technology.

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As someone with no prior interest in this topic, the book kept me interested the whole time. It was technical at times but never too much. Good storytelling, and the narration was great

Pretty interesting, great narrator

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A well researched and fascinating book. Not to heavy on technical details but lots of background stories behind the people and programs.

Very well narrated in an enthusiastic manner.

Fascinating insight

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Just enough technical detail, followed the personal stories of the key individuals in the story of the stealth programs.

Excellent

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Enjoyable listen, good narration and more importantly a great story, well written. I’ve a keen interest in stealth and the aerospace sector and found this a good insight into the stealth era.

Great read for anyone interested in stealth history

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This is a fascinating book that can be enjoyed by engineering professionals and those with a casual interest. it tells the story of stealth from it's earliest genesis up and until the F117 and B2 programmes becoming into full being.

You get a sense of the politics and funding issues from the federal government, the design challenges from engineers and those on the shop floor, and the business managers trying to succeed in winning the bids.

Everyday engineering

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Less than 20% about the engineering, the rest is about the dudes who were involved in what really comes down to three or so companies who stumble around and end up with their version of ‘Stealth’ tech aircraft. Monkeys and Shakespeare spring to mind, fuelled by shed loads of military dollars. Quite tiresome on the whole.

Quite enlightening… Its not praise.

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