Behind the Wings

Join Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum's curator and Behind the Wings host Matthew Burchette as he crawls through an iconic B-52 bomber, takes a trip to The Peace Garden State and explores one of only two active B-52 bases in the United States.

Millions have flown in and out of Denver International Airport but few have seen this incredible operation from the inside out. With more than 61 million passengers per year, Denver International (DEN) is the 5th busiest airport in the United States and it takes an army to keep operations humming.

Join host Matthew Burchette as he explores the world of electronic attack in this episode of Behind the Wings. From the recently-retired EA-6B Prowler to the next generation EA-18 Growler, electronic attack plays a vital role in our nation's security.

Join host Matthew Burchette as he chats with Vietnam Huey pilots and tags along with the USCG on a training mission in sunny San Diego…

Join host Matthew Burchette as he explores NORAD’s command center and even tests the limits of “restricted airspace"

Join host Matthew Burchette as he sits down with NASA legend Gene Kranz and discovers the future of space exploration at NASA’s Glenn Research Center…

Wildfires are growing in intensity, and firefighting aviation is becoming increasingly crucial to saving forests and lives in Colorado and beyond. Fire aviation teams are critical, complex efforts, made up of pilots, technicians, and coordinators who work together with ground crews to put out and contain wildfires. As environmental conditions set the stage for unprecedented fire seasons, night vision goggle technology is employed for the first time, and Colorado legislatures are paying closer attention than ever to the importance of wildfires. The progress is clear, yet so much remains to be done.

New fire conditions call for new firefighting methods and tools. Looking at Calfire, we learn how the largest municipal fleet of firefighting aircraft in the world has developed over time. Live data feeds revolutionize how firefighting teams understand fires and communicate during missions. Colorado gets ready to purchase its first Firehawk helicopter, and inter-agency teams coordinate at the local, state, and federal levels. The challenges in fighting wildfires are greater than ever, but with new methods of fighting the fires, so are the opportunities.

In the 1950s, The Century Series defined an era of aviation during the Cold War, charting a metamorphosis from one era to another. Jets were in their infancy, and many milestones, including the sound barrier, loomed large. In an arms race with the Soviet Union, a rising superpower, the U.S. got to work developing a variety of impressive fighter jets, now known as the Century Series. Starting with the F-100, the first production airplane to break the sound barrier in level flight, we explore how the century series pioneered new airplane designs, including the aerodynamic coke bottle shape made famous by the F-102. The F-104, a missile with a man in it inspired a generation of pilots. The F-105 looked like a fighter but was a bomber in disguise. As a series, their legacy is evident in modern fighter jets.

Exploration is in our DNA, and when it comes to space, we have a lot to explore.

Satellites and their sensors provide a unique vantage to look back at Earth.

Commercialization in the space industry brings a new era of innovation and exploration.

From medical delivery to flying taxis, autonomous drones are changing the future of transportation.

Time travel is now possible with the James Webb Space Telescope, as we explore distant worlds and our own Solar System in ways never seen before.

From 5th generation design to its technological breakthroughs, the F-35 is a formidable machine. At Lockheed Martin's assembly line in Fort Worth TX, F-35s are meticulously built. At the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, cadets learn how the F-35 fits into a modern combat environment. And at Miramar Naval Base in San Diego, CA, get an inside look at the life of the pilots who fly the F-35.

Testing and simulation progress AI pilot agents from the lab to the field.

The ethics of deploying AI in Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), are weighed against the risks of falling behind technologically.

The unlikely story of the original super cargo transport aircraft that helped America win the space race.

Explore high-risk missions that helps improve hurricane forecasting.

Discover how the International Space Station was assembled in-orbit.

Step inside the F-16 factory to see how the Fighting Falcon is built.