Aviation has come a long way since the 19th century, from the Wright brothers taking flight with the first powered and controlled gliders, to aircraft that can travel up to supersonic speeds, orbiting satellites and space stations which then were only thought to be science-fiction. Aerospace and aviation has proven to be one of the biggest challenges to advance in the entirety of human existence. There are many factors and characteristics that contributed to this advancement such as the engines of aircraft, forces of flight, aerodynamic forces, wingspans etc. The two most significant aspects however have been; World War 1 and World War 2. Aviation and flight was thought of as nothing more than a toy World War 1 (WW1). However, this was the first war where aeroplanes were modified and used as weapons by countries to achieve an enormous advantage over their enemies. The first Great War encouraged rapid technological innovation in military aircraft, they quickly changed from their flimsy beginnings as fragile, slow moving gliders (see Fig 1.) into agile deadly fighter jets equipped with advanced weaponry such as missiles and machine guns to this present day. At the start of the war there were massive debates over the usefulness of aircraft in warfare, however, the initial campaigns proved that the cavalry could not provide the reconnaissance that was expected due to the dramatic increase in armour of the 20th century militaries. The development of aircraft was encouraged by the wars requirements, also by the aircraft were used. Many people along with the military believed that aircraft had a wider purpose than just photography from the air the war continued, and throughout this ‘belief’ that the military had two completely different... ... middle of paper ... ...hese two topics, the aspect that influenced the development of the aviation industry was World War 2. World War 2 basically was the basis that sparked the advancement of the aviation industry. Without this event happening the aviation industry would lack the jet-powered engines, radar and advanced navigation systems. The comfort and luxury within the aircraft and the actual design of the airframes on commercial aircraft was inspired by the B-29. Aerospace companies within the United States grew to maturity during the Second World War and piston technology had been broken down nearly to its limits. Being still visible today on its basic structure, have been overlaid the effects of post-war drastic technological improvements. Throughout the midst of 1944 aviation was the largest industry in the world and still is due to the advancements in aircraft during World War 2.
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.
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.
This edu website describes how the impact of invention of the airplane by the wright brothers created a new world of technology. It proves my thesis because it explains how commercial & potential of aviation came to being because of the wright brothers. This is a secondary source because it draws conclusions from primary sources and because it's a review of what happen and what came into being.
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.
During World War II (WW2) the aeroplane proved to be the military’s greatest asset. It was dominant as it was versatile. Unlike the tank, boat or even the foot soldier the planes can serve in all areas of one countries military, land, sea and of course the air. They could fight where ever needed. Not only did they attack in dog fights or bombing raids they could go for a surveillance or reconnaissance to assist their forces. They destroyed many enemies industrial plants and provided many ground combat support.
The first World War expedited the evolution of aircraft technology, which continued through World War II. These developments revolutionized military strategy and contributed greatly to the final outcomes.
Lawson, Robert L., and Barrett Tillman. U.S. Navy Air Combat: 1939-1946. Osceola, WI: MBI Pub., 2000. Print.
The author writes about the aircraft and ground units used in World War Two. The aircraft used in WWII were normally B-29 bombers or smaller P-36, P-39, P-40 or the P-63. The ground units were tanks, artillery and troops. These components all put in to one force working together brought about a bloody war.
As a conclusion, I hope these previous paragraphs have given you the knowledge that everyone dealing with physics or airplanes should possess. These factors may not show all that physics has to contribute in the flight of an aircraft but they do show the major contributions. After reading these paragraphs, you should now have greater respect for physics, not just in airplanes, but in the world, because it is all around you and nothing can exist or work without it.
World War II, the most dreadful conflict in human history, presented a new way of warfare. With new technological advancements, war was no longer fought on the ground in trenches like the previous World War had primarily done. World War II presented warfare fought immensely in the air, sea, and land as well. Throughout the European and Pacific theatres, Allied and Axis powers both utilized aircraft in bombing, supporting ground troops, and combating other enemy aircraft in air to air dogfights. As the importance of air superiority became apparent to the Allies, a need for a better, more durable aircraft engine was evident. Through the design and implementation of the Merlin engine, the allies were greatly able to turn the tides of the war,
Unikoski, Ari. “The War in the Air - Summary of the Air War”. First World War.com. 2009. http://www.firstworldwar.com/airwar/summary.htm
The history of flying dates back as early as the fifteenth century. A Renaissance man named Leonardo da Vinci introduced a flying machine known as the ornithopter. Da Vinci proposed the idea of a machine that had bird like flying capabilities. Today no ornithopters exist due to the restrictions of humans, and that the ornithopters just aren’t practical. During the eighteenth century a philosopher named Sir George Cayley had practical ideas of modern aircraft. Cayley never really designed any workable aircraft, but had many incredible ideas such as lift, thrust, and rigid wings to provide for lift. In the late nineteenth century the progress of aircraft picks up. Several designers such as Henson and Langley, both paved the way for the early 1900’s aircraft design. Two of the most important people in history of flight were the Wright Brothers. The Wright Brothers were given the nickname the “fathers of the heavier than air flying machine” for their numerous flights at their estate in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Orville and Wilbur Wright created a motor-powered biplane in which they established incredible feats of the time. The Wright Brothers perfected their design of the heavier than air flying ma...
Aircraft are one of the biggest areas of advancement in the past. Military aircraft have become more sophisticated in variety, effectiveness, and maneuverability techniques in recent years. After it was found that aircraft could be very useful in war, they started to become a necessity of war. After World War 2, technological advances in aircraft began. The advances include stealth, targeting, maneuverability, etc.
The invention of the airplane, ever since it was invented in 1903 has impacted the world in many ways. It has increased the job rate, boosted the economy, created cultural diversion, and created less pollution than most means of travel. Orville Wright once said, “The airplane stays up because it doesn't have time to fall.” The airplane never did fall and excelled in everything it did, not falling once. The airplane, one of the most important inventions created in the 20th century, impacted travel ways across the world.
... in, 1920.More developments emerged such as the radio communication system, and the control towers. The government became deeply involved in funding researches and establishing regulating bodies to manage airlines such as the Civil Aeronautics Administration in I938.The aviation oversight program in the United States was later realized through these developments to spearhead developments in the aviation field.