The Aircraft Designers

The Aircraft Designers, A Northrop Grumman Historical Perspective, Volumes 1 and 2 tell the story of the aircraft designers and teammates who created, designed, developed, and tested many manned and unmanned aircraft over the course of more than one hundred years, starting from the days when Jack Northrop was a draftsman engineer in 1916. These innovators, who devoted their time, intellect, and passion to the most demanding of technological industries, are remembered and brought to life in these books through stories and photos. Eagerly awaited follow-ups to Ciminera's 2013 book The Aircraft Designers: A Grumman Historical Perspective, these volumes are more comprehensive than their predecessor as they cover a longer historical period (nominally 100 years versus 65 years); provide a deeper look at the design evolution and characteristics; allow the reader to graphically see design trends with the addition of special charts as opposed to just verbal descriptions; and include a large chapter devoted to targets and unmanned autonomous systems. In this second volume, Chapter 1 covers the evolution of stealth and the lineage of the B-2. Chapter 2 gives the reader an extensive look at targets and unmanned autonomous system developments from 1935 until today; and chapter 3 examines technology demonstrators, attack aircraft, and legacy programs from the Grumman acquisition in 1994 including the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning system and the EA-18G Growler electronic counter measures system. Chapter 4 discusses how the challenging role of the aircraft designer has changed, including selected designer profi les numbering over forty individuals, followed by a tribute to the Northrop and Northrop Grumman retirees, many of whom are well into their nineties. Presenting research and photographs from over 150 sources including interviews, private collections, museums, libraries, universities, letters, company periodicals, past stockholder reports, and more, The Aircraft Designers: A Northrop Grumman Historical Perspective, Volume 2 is a valuable resource for engineering students, faculty, historians, pilots, military personnel, government agency personnel, collectors, hobbyists, model aircraft builders, and the aerospace community at large.