attack aircraft
1
4.8
- noun
- /əˈtæk ˈɛrˌkræft/
- Specialized
:
avión de ataque
- Air strikes were not only carried out by land-based attack aircraft; aircraft carriers also made significant contributions to the coalition's air operations.
- ground-attack aircraft
Examples
-
Also, Chinese attack aircraft are in the vicinity, a naval-warfare craft launching anti-ship missiles and torpedoes.
Fiction book (1991) -
NATO air power includes about twice as many ground-attack aircraft as the Soviet air force's.
Academic text (1991) -
This attack aircraft is completely designed by Russia, and Indian input has not yet been agreed on.
Academic text (1999) -
As long as there were available targets, U.S. forces were able to employ attack aircraft to devastating effect.
Academic text (2011) -
However, a closer examination will show the planes in the photograph are Lockheed Hudson A29 Attack aircraft.
Blog text (11) -
Ground attack aircraft are essential to defend against an armored invasion because their firepower can be concentrated quickly at a threatened point and shifted readily to another.
Academic text (1991) -
The U.S. military deployed attack aircraft to target enemy positions during the conflict.
-
Attack aircraft are essential for ground support missions in modern warfare.
-
The Air Force's fleet of attack aircraft includes the A-10, known for its effectiveness against armored targets.
Synonyms
214
3.7
A military plane that carries and drops bombs
36
4.8
A plane built to fight in war
28
6.5
A military plane with heavy weapons that attacks ground targets to support troops
8
3.9
A plane used by the armed forces for fighting or protection
7
7.5
A military plane built to hide from radar and drop bombs
1
6.9
A military plane that dives to drop bombs more accurately
Antonyms
- Specialized
30
4.2
Systems and weapons that protect a place from enemy aircraft or missiles
How Powerful
214
3.7
- Specialized
1
4.8
- Specialized
359
4.6
- Specialized
3
6.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly and compositionally derived from 'attack' + 'aircraft' — an aircraft used for attacks, i.e., a military plane designed to strike targets. This noun-noun compound follows standard English compounding patterns and has clear equivalents in many languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Attack aircraft combines attack and aircraft, creating a clear picture of a military plane that attacks from the air. Imagine a fast plane flying low to hit enemy ground targets or give close help to soldiers; that's why it means 'a plane designed to attack enemy targets, often at low altitude'.