US Army - Innovation - War - Radar Technology
Radar technology uses radio waves to detect metallic items. It is used by all sections of the military to tract flying or sailing vessels. Today, it is even used to track objects moving on the ground. In addition, advancements in this field have resulted in the ability to predict intended targets of moving objects and thus give defense systems time to prepare. In the initial years, the military had no way to predict impending attacks (Hoffman 17-25). The invention of the airplanes and its use for military purposes increased the need to have coping mechanism. The leading world powers of the day, such as the U.S, Germany, Britain, Japan, Russia and France were all involved in attempt to develop a way divert this threat or at least to buy sometime.
Radio waves were anticipated to be the finest solution to the predicament. However, many technical problems inhibit the application of radar technology in warfare. However, the necessity created by the impending world war two led to higher levels of research and in the end resulted to the invention of the radar machine for monitoring all metallic objects. However, the problem of application within the fields of war was still a major hindrance (Hoffman 17-25).
[...] Conclusion The discovery of the portable radar machine, or the radar machine in general was very influential in dictating the outcomes of the Second World War. The innovations in this field were driven by the need for protection and the perception of an impending war. This innovation has found many uses in the world today, most notably monitoring commercial airplanes. References Graham, Adrian. Communications, Radar and Electronic Warfare. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons Print. Hoffman, Jon T . A history of innovation: U.S. Army adaptation in war and peace. Washington, D.C.: Center of Military History, United States Army : Print. [...]
[...] Factors that inhibited development of radar technology Shortage of funds was a major obstacle. Though the American government continually invested in military research then as now, these funds were divided among the different branches of the forces that had an interest in the matter. For example, the coast guard was interested in using the tracking technology to see vessels outside the visual range while Odnance corps was looking for a way to direct attacks at intrusive aircrafts (Hoffman 17-25). On the other hand, the Signal Corps were looking for signal detection. [...]
[...] However, many technical problems inhibit the application of radar technology in warfare. However, the necessity created by the impending world war two led to higher levels of research and in the end resulted to the invention of the radar machine for monitoring all metallic objects. However, the problem of application within the fields of war was still a major hindrance (Hoffman 17-25). Factors that facilitated development of portable radar technology The most important factor was the impending world war. Due to the heightened tensions in the world in the 1930's, the major powers realized the need to have early warning systems because of the anticipated use of aircrafts. [...]
[...] Progression of the innovation in later years There have been numerous innovations in the employment of radar in the years following the war. For example, while the initial developments were propelled by the impending wars, later innovations are just as useful. For example, radar is used to direct aerial traffic and to monitor proximity in the case of marine vessels. For example, the Cape of Good Hope area was known for collision of ships due to poor visibility resulting from the Benguela cold ocean current. [...]
[...] In the absence of the technology, Germany would have caused more problems to the allied powers. In addition, they were used to detect submarines. The Japanese submarines in particular posed a serious threat the United States Navy. They would have caused serious damage if the army had been unable to perceive their presence (Hoffman 17-25). In the war fronts in France, the deployment of the portable radar machines probably saves the lives of thousands of soldiers because they had the ability to anticipate aerial threats. [...]
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