Interceptor aircraft

An interceptor aircraft is a fighter designed to detect, reach, and destroy hostile aircraft, especially before they attack their targets. High speed, rapid climb, and guided weapons often suit this mission.

Ground-controlled interception: A method of directing intercepting aircraft toward targets using instructions from ground-based radar controllers. Ground controllers can guide an interceptor toward a target it cannot yet detect itself.
Air defense: The military measures used to protect forces and territory from attack by aircraft and missiles. Interceptors are one component of a wider system for defending airspace.
Messerschmitt Bf 109: A German single-seat fighter used extensively during the Second World War. It served as a point-defense fighter against Allied bomber formations and escorts.
Multirole combat aircraft: A combat aircraft designed to perform several mission types, such as air combat and ground attack. Multirole designs trade some specialization for flexibility across missions.
Airborne early warning and control: The use of airborne radar and command systems to detect aircraft and coordinate air operations. Airborne radar can extend warning and control beyond the reach of ground stations.
Air superiority: A degree of control over the air that permits operations without prohibitive interference from enemy aircraft. Interception protects airspace, while air superiority describes the broader outcome sought.
North American F-86D Sabre: A radar-equipped U.S. all-weather interceptor developed from the F-86 Sabre fighter. Its onboard radar and rocket armament addressed the threat of bomber raids in poor visibility.
Air superiority fighter: A fighter designed primarily to gain and maintain control of the air against enemy aircraft. Air superiority fighters seek sustained control, rather than primarily responding to incoming aircraft.
Scramble (military aviation): The rapid launch of aircraft in response to an alert or operational order. A fast scramble shortens the time between detecting an incursion and reaching it.
Radar: A system that detects objects by transmitting radio waves and analyzing their reflections. Radar often provides the first detection that sends an interceptor toward a target.

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