Fast, Nimble, and Stealthy

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Stealth aircraft come in two forms: angular evaders like the B-2 bomber, and cruder radar jammers that simply overwhelm the enemy’s air defense systems, allowing entire squadrons to penetrate hostile territory. Boeing’s E/A-18 fighter jet is the latest entry in the latter group, but it’s far from crude. Based on the nimble F-18 platform and outfitted with three jamming pods, it can outwit and outmaneuver the most advanced attack squadrons. The plane recently completed its first test flight; it should go into service by 2008.