Watch Cold War, Hot Jets

Cold War, Hot Jets is a gripping documentary series from Ammo Content that explores the pivotal role of aviation technology during the Cold War era. Hosted by the renowned historian and author James Holland, the show offers an in-depth look into the arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union, which led to some of the most significant technological developments in aviation history.

Over the course of six episodes, Cold War, Hot Jets delves into the world of military aviation during the Cold War, an era of tension and paranoia that lasted from the end of World War II until the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. Throughout the series, James Holland takes viewers on a journey through the advancements in jet engine technology, missile systems, and aircraft design that characterized this era, and the significant impact these advancements had on the world.

The series begins by introducing viewers to the developments in aviation technology that transformed the military aviation industry during the Cold War period. From the Nazi V-2 rocket program and the Soviet Union's early space race successes, to the development of the first jet engines, viewers are taken on an informative tour of the history that led to the era of the Cold War. As the series progresses, viewers are introduced to the key individuals and leaders that shaped the aviation industry, like the Soviet scientist Sergey Korolev, who spearheaded the Soviet Union's space program, and the American aeronautics engineer Kelly Johnson, who was instrumental in the development of the iconic Lockheed U-2 spy plane.

The series explores the technological advancements that allowed both sides to spy on each other from the air, including the aforementioned U-2 spy plane, which flew at the edge of space, and the SR-71 Blackbird, which had an operational ceiling of over 85,000 feet. These missions provided valuable intelligence during a period when each side was trying to outdo the other in terms of military and technological superiority.

Throughout the series, viewers are shown archival footage and interviews with key players in the aviation industry to gain a deeper understanding of the events that took place during the Cold War period. One notable moment is the Cuban Missile Crisis, where the US and the Soviet Union came dangerously close to nuclear war. Cold War, Hot Jets shows how aviation technology played a critical role in the resolution of the crisis, with US spy planes identifying the Soviet troops and missile sites in Cuba.

The series also looks at the technological advancements that enabled each side to develop weapons with ever-greater destructive power. From intercontinental ballistic missiles that could target a city on the other side of the world, to cruise missiles that could be launched from ships and submarines, the Cold War was a period of immense invention in military technology. The series looks at how these weapons were developed and the impact they had on global politics during the latter half of the 20th century.

Overall, Cold War, Hot Jets is an immersive and engaging documentary series that offers a fascinating insight into the technological advances that shaped aviation and the wider global politics during the Cold War era. With expert analysis and access to previously unseen archival footage, the series provides a unique window into the pivotal moments of aviation history that led us to where we are today.

Cold War, Hot Jets is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (2 episodes). The series first aired on January 7, 2015.