Fighter planes first raced through the skies in World War I. Since then, the technology that keeps these machines aloft has advanced rapidly. This book describes the science behind the jet engine and how it has been harnessed to create the world's fastest planes. The earliest fighter planes have given way to advanced models that can evade radar and cross extraordinary distances. Readers encounter full-color images that illustrate the transformation of fighter planes through time. With simple descriptions that footnote the role of fighter planes in military history, this book offers young readers an introduction to a powerful military machine.