Why do big commercial airplanes have wings on the bottom and big (US) military airplanes have their wings on top?
In: Engineering
Military aircraft are built to handle rough conditions. Most military planes are purpose built for use on dirt and gravel airstrips. Which means engines that are low to the ground would suck up dirt & stones and implode on take off. Which is a bad thing.
Comercial airplanes are built for use only on well maintained runways. In fact, a comercial airplane can only land at airports that are certified for that aircraft’s type.
Military planes don’t have the luxury of waiting for the transportation regulators to say it safe to fly in or out of an airport. In combat conditions, a perfect airstrip is a luxury. Military aircraft don’t have time to wait for a smooth surface when they are being shot at.
Note the difference, airstrips vs runways, the choice of words was intentional.
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