Static Displays Charged with Excitement

Designed for all ages, Airshow 2008 has something for everyone. Kids will not be the only ones electrified by an intimate exploration of Airshow 2008 static displays.

You will experience the sheer vastness of the military’s cavernous international transport aircraft built by Lockheed. Several versions of their C- 130 Hercules workhorse line will be on display, along with the U.S. Navy’s all-weather E-2C Hawkeye carrier equipped with radar, IFF, and a passive detection system. On the “What’s New” front, the C-17 Globemaster is the newest airlift aircraft to enter the Air Force's inventory, capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and cargo. A modified oldie – the original 1957 multi-use KC-135 Stratotanker used for re-fueling aircraft, transport, reconnaissance, as a flying command post and mapping will also be on display.

In the fighter-jet series, Boeing’s F-15 tactical Eagle and Lockheed F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter-jets, and several of Northrup’s supersonic Trainers will inspire those with a need for speed. It’s no-man’s landing with Northrup Grumann’s Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Hunter and Shadow multi-mission, tactical reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition (RSTA) planes.

A number of powerful whirlybirds will catch the attention of helicopter lovers. The U.S. Army Light Utility Helicopter’s UH-72 primary mission is to provide aerial transport for logistical and administrative support; the U.S. Army’s front-line utility UH-60 Black Hawk, designed to carry combat-loaded air assault, cavalry, and aeromedical evacuation units is capable of moving a 105-millimeter howitzer and 30 rounds of ammunition. Then for awesome lethality is the AH-64 Apache - the world's premier attack helicopter.  Boeing's CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift cargo helicopter makes an awesome display. Finally, you can see the Bell Helicopter lines, which include the OH-58 Kiowa, Alabama State Police Jet Ranger and Bell 206. 

You’ll get a blast out of the U.S. Army’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HiMars) - the newest member of the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). Also in the ground-to-air blasting arena, is the Avenger Air Defense System built by Boeing. Mounted on a Humvee chasse, the Avenger is a gyro-stabilized Avenger turret with Stinger missiles.

The Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers known as Red Horse are on hand to interact with spectators. These mobile squadrons provide the Air Force with a highly mobile civil engineering response force capable of rapid response heavy repair capability and construction support in remote, high-threat environments. They possess weapons, vehicle maintenance, equipment, food, supplies and medical gear. You can also chat with the Eglin Air Force Maintenance Crew – their jobs involve much more than a good wrench, a little grease and blue coveralls!

Finally, get tanked on the eight-wheeled Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) used as a test bed for a number of weapon systems from Redstone Arsenal. Pull the family SUV up next to this beast and draw some comparisons.

All static and interactive exhibits open at 10:00 a.m. each day.