Military Aircraft and Wars

595 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Technology advancements in warfare

War, war never changes. Or does it? Throughout time, people have been searching for more and more to make their military prowess bigger and better. One of these emergences was the warplane. It came to battle just over 100 years ago, and has completely altered the scope of warfare. From its slow start to its permanent place that it holds now, the plane has become a legend of the battlefield, an either terrifying or comforting sight. The plane has foreseen a lot of change in itself throughout its time, and likely will in the future, but if there is one thing for sure, it is that the world has adapted to it.
The place of aircraft in the military dates back to 1911. That year in a war between Italy and Turkey, Italy had the bright idea to utilize aviation technology to further their campaign by dropping grenades from a monoplane of theirs (Unikoski). Once the First World War broke out, about a decade after the exodus of planes as an invention, the role of planes in the world changed drastically. Every side of the war caught on to this rising phenomenon, with things like France’s 140 aircraft at the beginning of the war becoming something near 4,500 at the end being commonplace (Unikoski). Still, warplane technology was primitive. It did not take until World War II for planes to really revolutionize within and of themselves. Countries began to implement smart aerodynamics, durable, efficient, and effective materials, and weapons that were powerful and accurate to gain an advantage in the new war (Fighter). The plane also started to take on reconnaissance roles during this time. The results of this refined attention to detail were immediate and cemented the planes’ role in warfare. More improvements took place between then and the mode...

... middle of paper ...

... advanced technology enough to produce the aircraft needed to match up with and even surpass their opponents strength and strategy on the battlefield.

Works Cited

"Fighter/Attack Aircraft." - CombatAircraft.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2014. .
"Future of US Military's Hypersonic Plane Uncertain After Failure." Space.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2014.
"List of Active United States Military Aircraft." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 15 Apr. 2014. Web. 15 Apr. 2014.
"Modern American Aircraft." Modern U.S. Aircraft. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2014.
"Sixth Generation Fighter Aircraft: Rise of the F/A-XX." - Airforce Technology. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2014
Unikoski, Ari . "firstworldwar.com." First World War.com. N.p., 22 Aug. 2009. Web. 14 Apr. 2014. .

Show More
Related

  • The History and Uses of the P-51 Mustang

    1299 Words  | 3 Pages

    For as long as most of the world can remember aviation has played a major factor in how wars are fought. Starting in World War I the worlds fighting forces began using aircraft to conduct surveillance missions over enemy territory. While these aircraft were not the masters of stealth that todays aircraft are there was no technology to take down these planes at the time. Air-to-air combat was an event that rarely happened and was almost never effective.

    Read More

  • The Fokker Eindecker During World War One

    1238 Words  | 3 Pages

    In today’s world, the use of airplanes in wars or in everyday life has become a part of how we live as human beings. Removing the air forces of the world is like taking a step back in time when wars were only fought on land or sea. WWI began only eleven short years after the Wright brothers achieved powered flight in 19031 and yet aircrafts were being used for surveillance and eventually combat purposes. It is understood that these aircrafts were primitive, but they laid down the foundation for what we know today as fighter jets. The Fokker Eindecker “revolutionized air combat by successfully employing a synchronized forward -firing machine gun mounted on the engine cowling”2. Because this airplane became the first to successfully use a synchronized machine gun, it allowed its pilots to become the first aerial combat tactitions3.

    Read More

  • The P-51 Mustang: The Best Fighter Ever

    1178 Words  | 3 Pages

    The P-51 Mustang is regarded by many sources as the greatest fighter plane ever created. With the technological advancements this plane achieved, to it’s service record, to it’s importance in winning World War Two, the Mustang is truly one of the greats. The Mustang played a key role in long range bomber support and saved countless bomber crew’s lives, and pilots loved to fly it. The P-51 had the most aerial victories of any American fighter in World War Two and it was flown by some of America’s top aces. The P-51 was a beast of a fighter plane

    Read More

  • Advancements in Technology in the Allied Air Forces During World War Two

    855 Words  | 2 Pages

    Before this, the United States Air Corps was only comprised of 20,000 personnel and less than 2,000 planes, afterwards the Department of War made the Army Air Forces. It greatly grew after Pearl Harbor when the United States was thrusted into war. With the aid of military leadership from General Henry Arnold, the Army Air Force created one of the largest air armadas and took control over the aviation industry boosting the innovations of the aircrafts that were being produced. At its very peak of the war, the AAF was able to increase its personnel to 2.4 million and was then comprised of over 80,000 aircrafts.

    Read More

  • The Airplane's Impact in World War One

    657 Words  | 2 Pages

    World War One was known as the war that would end all wars. At first, airplanes in the war were thought to have just little combat use. An unknown British general even commented, " The airplane is useless for the purpose of war." In the beginning of the First World War, the airplanes were pretty simple and raw. By the end of the war, aircraft had become more advanced and had split off into fighters, bombers and long-range bombers. The specifications of the airplanes were changed to meet the war's requirements. When the War started in August of 1914, British airmen were associated with the British army and their commissioned officers had army ranks. Before the United State’s declaration of war in 1917, American nationals had enlisted in British and French air services including the Lafayette Escadrille. By the time the war ended in November of 1918, the Royal Flying Corps no longer prevailed and was absorbed into the recently developed Royal Air Force. The Royal Air Force now had its own command structure away from the army and provided its own ranks.

    Read More

  • Bombers of World War II

    1864 Words  | 4 Pages

    It all started on December 7th, 1941. America had entered their Second World War following the Pearl Harbor attacks. America started its Pacific Campaign against the Imperial Japanese Army. After three years, America joined with fellow allied nations and invaded Nazi- Occupied France codename Operation Overlord. This was the biggest amphibious invasion ever recorded. From Pearl Harbor to the fall of Berlin in the spring of 1945, the American bomber plane helped defeat the Nazi regime, end the war in the Pacific, and revolutionize modern warfare.

    Read More

  • The Difference of Warfare between World War 1 and World War 2

    1024 Words  | 3 Pages

    World War Warfare was one of the greatest examples of technological advancement and strategic challenge, with the introduction of inventions such as the aircraft and the tank the battlefield transformed from attrition as scene in the early years of the war to decisive by the end of the war.

    Read More

  • The Airmobility Concept In The Vietnam War

    1853 Words  | 4 Pages

    The airmobility concept is one of Army Aviation’s most prominent battlefield innovations, almost single handedly shaping the Vietnam War and in many ways, helping to influence how we fight wars today. In its essence, airmobility is a concept that utilizes Army aircraft in order to enhance the ground forces’ ability to perform the five fundamentals of combat: command and control, firepower, intelligence, mobility, and communications (Rottman, 2007). At the zenith of the airmobility concept is the airmobile assault or commonly known today as, the air assault. The airmobile assault was more than just moving troops from point A to point B; it involved intense planning and preparation. When implemented correctly, the airmobile assault provided light infantry greater mobility on the battlefield, along with the ability to seize the initiative and to synchronize attacks.

    Read More

  • U.S. Entry into WWII

    1356 Words  | 3 Pages

    The. Johnson, David E. Fast Tanks and Heavy Bombers: Innovation in the U.S. Army, 1917-1945. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1998. Print. The. "

    Read More

  • The World War II: Air War

    1189 Words  | 3 Pages

    World War II was one of the deadliest military conflicts in history. There were many different battles that took place within this war; some more important than others. World War II began once Germany’s new dictator, Adolf Hitler, decided that he wanted to gain power for Germany and for himself. One of Hitler’s first moves in power was invading Poland on September 1, 1939. Many other countries became involved in this war because of the alliance system. The two sides during this war were the Allies and Axis powers. German, Italy and Japan were on the Axis powers; France, Britain, and the United States were on the Allies. Germany first began with the Blitzkrieg tactic meaning “lightning war”. This tactic is based on speed, surprise and was the most popular tactic. It is set up with military forces based around tanks which are supported by planes and infantry. The Blitzkrieg tactic lead to air wars with airplanes between countries. All of the countries were allowed to participate in the air wars but the four main countries were United States, Japan, Britain, and Germany. During the 1920’s and 1930’s airplanes grew in size and structure giving them more power, and making planes more effective. Planes made it easier to drop bombs, or plan attacks. All of these countries fought over air superiority. Air superiority is the position in which the air force has control over all of the air warfare and air power of the opposing forces. Germany began with air superiority but they lost it when Britain defeated them at the Battle of Britain. Gaining control over the air is a very big advantage because it is easier to plan an attack on an opposing country. All of the countries relied on their aircrafts during this war. The issue about the use of...

    Read More

  • Canada's Involvement in World War One

    1424 Words  | 3 Pages

    Yancey, C. Arthur, and 2001. "World War One - The War To End All Wars." Tripod. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Mar. 2011. .

    Read More

  • The 123rd Aviation Battalion of 1968

    736 Words  | 2 Pages

    The 123rd Aviation Battalion was comprised of multiple airframes of which included the OH-23 Raven, OH-6 Cayuse, UH-1 Huey, AH-1 Cobra, and even at one point an attachment of CH-47 Chinooks. According to the Resume of the 123rd Aviation Battalion the A Company and B Company delivered over 1,400 tons of cargo, destroyed 575 structures, killed over 700 enemy combatants, and provided medical evacuation to 114 people. All of these accomplishments took place in 1968, prior to receiving an attachment of CH-47 Chinooks. The scout aircraft provided intelligence by either flying over...

    Read More

  • Air Force Special Operations

    1222 Words  | 3 Pages

    Air Force Special Operations The United States of America is a powerful and well known force throughout the world. It has become a superpower of nations in just about three hundred years, being one of the newest nations in existence today. Its military reaches out into several countries in the globe and holds a presence as a peacekeeper and wielder of democracy. Of the US military’s five branches, the Air Force is the ruler of the skies, keeping control of the earth’s aerospace. Without the Air Force Special Operations, the military could not complete operations as effectively or efficiently as it potentially could.

    Read More

  • Battle Of Shanghai Essay

    1419 Words  | 3 Pages

    Six months of air operations all but exhausted the Chinese air force. The Chinese seek to purchase. Modern aircrafts from a number of countries. A large influx of Soviet aircrafts and volunteer’s pilots promised to modernize the Chinese air force.

    Read More

  • Technology of the Drone

    1808 Words  | 4 Pages

    Tice, Brian P. (1991). Unmanned Aerial Vehicles – The Force Multiplier of the 1990s. Airpower Journal.

    Read More

More about Military Aircraft and Wars

Open Document