fighter aircraftArticle Free Pass fighter aircraft, aircraft
designed primarily to secure control of essential airspace by
destroying enemy aircraft in combat. The opposition may consist
of fighters of equal capability or of bombers carrying
protective armament. For such purposes fighters must be capable
of the highest possible performance in order to be able to
outfly and outmaneuver opposing fighters. Above all, they must
be armed with specialized weapons capable of hitting and
destroying enemy aircraft. Fighter airplanes have been described
by a variety of labels. Early in World War I they were used as
scout planes for artillery spotting, but it was quickly
discovered that they could be armed and do combat with one
another, shoot down enemy bombers, and conduct other tactical
missions. Since that time fighters have assumed various
specialized combat roles. An interceptor is a fighter whose
design and armament best fit it for intercepting and defeating
or routing invading fighters. A night fighter is one eq