It is essential to know the technological barriers an aeroplane faces as it climbs higher, faster with wings or without them to appreciate the intricacies involved in designing space transport that can fly into and back from space.

Planes like XB-70, SR-71, Su T4 and even the Concorde represent cutting-edge technology which is still very expensive to repeat.

Some assorted military aircraft pix (total 161 KB)

Su-37 Terminator

F/A-18 Hornet

Tu-160 Blackjack

Jas-39 Gripen

Ka-52 Black Shark

C-5 Galaxy