WINGS #5 - Brittany Robinson

2. Discuss the beginning of supersonic flight research in the United States and whether or not this technology was a priority.

Engineers were surprised to find out that supersonic flight research technically began in America in the Fall of 1918, much earlier than they had assumed. The time period was bringing about a "new age of high-speed aeronautics," and new interest in the matter. At the time, airplanes were moving up to speeds of 125 mph, but parts of their propellers were moving almost 5 times as fast, at about 650 mph. This created an interesting problem, which encouraged scientists why the air crafts themselves could not move at the faster pace.

This launched years of studies of air, and its relationship to air crafts. Frank Caldwell, the researcher at McCook Field, discovered that the air moving around the tips of the propellers was approaching supersonic speed and thus detaching from the area around the main focal points of the plane, called the airfoil. The author of WINGS states that at low speeds, air acts similar to a fluid. At higher speeds, air begins to compress around the aircraft, creating a cone-like shock wave region. Once the fundamentals of air were being established, innovators had to get past the limits of air. I would say that the technology was not a priority in the beginning because they could not have realized its full potential- but once they started testing and developing the engines for such planes almost 20 years later, I think then that it became a priority.

3. What role did the helicopter play in the development of aviation technology?

Crouch makes the point that the helicopter was the "biggest technical marvel that emerged from war." There is no sole inventor of the helicopter since so many different contributors helped in the process, but the first real gyrocopter was created in 1907. The popularity of the newly-invented copter caught on immediately. This new possibility was probably just as sought-after as the airplane, and I think it would be fair to say that more contesters tried their hands at creating them. 

Once the threat of war was approaching, the helicopter became extremely important. The ideas of urban/regional transportation also became available, but they weren't as prevalent. Helicopter use in war included the options to drop troops discreetly or directly into zones, and also to have quick medical access.

5. How did the U.S. view the launch of the Russian satellite Sputnik and what was the reaction?

The U.S. reaction to the Russian launch of Sputnik was that of a "technological Pearl Harbor." It was the first artificial Earth satellite to be launched, and soon after the U.S. realized how behind they had become in the space race. President Eisenhower made the decision to separate the military motives of space knowledge from scientific objectives, and to move towards the objectives aspect. NACA, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics was closed down and developed into NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The organization grew quickly with a focus on aerospace research and civil space programs.

Wings Assignment #5- Taylor McKinley

      1. Summarize the new aviation technologies that emerged as a result of WWII.

      Some of the new technologies that were produced because of World War II included nuclear weapons, jet aircraft, guided missiles, long-range rockets, and many other electronic systems.  Research during this time period was responsible for producing these achievements in science and industry to create these weapons that no one saw coming the decade before.  Since the Great Depression, efforts to create a national research fun to support academic science had failed, so most American scientists pursued their own work with small grants from their respective universities.  Later, during the course of the war, two-hundred universities won a quarter of a billion dollars in grants, with the majority of the funds going to prestigious research institutions.  As a result, the University of California at Berkeley and the University of Chicago became key parts of the Manhattan Project, another example of the technology that emerged during World War II.  With this research, the new aviation technologies came about, changing the world of aviation yet again forever.

2. Discuss the beginning of supersonic flight research in the United States and whether or not this technology was a priority.

Although it is hard to believe, airplanes in the early 1900s could only reach a maximum speed of about 125 mph.  However, the tips of their propellers were reaching speeds of about 650 mph. This led to more research which revealed that a sudden increases in drag and a loss of lift occurred at speeds around 450 mph.  This led to the realization that it was time for a “paradigm shift,” that pushing the limits of existing technology was not enough.  It was time to come up with something completely new.  However, the United States did not fully support this shift, realizing that since all of their industries were built around the piston engine, they would have to completely remodel everything that had to do with production of airplane engines.  The rocket and turbo jet engine would eventually be pursued and created by a few innovative individuals.  Many companies continued to discourage the manufacturing of new engines but countries like Britain pursued this opportunity and this finally persuaded the U.S. to start building engines that go as fast as we know today.

3. What role did the helicopter play in the development of aviation technology?

The idea of a helicopter as “the personal transport of tomorrow” was a very appealing thought.  An industry pioneer of the time, Grover Loening, was pretty skeptical, however, stating that if anyone thought that everyone was going to fly helicopters right after the war, it was nonsense.  However, the invention of the helicopter prevailed, and it offered many new things that airplanes did not in that day and age.  For example, as the book states, a machine that could rise straight up into the air and hover over one spot was functional.  These new features alone gave the helicopters an advantage because of their unique motion and their difference from the airplane.  The helicopter became a huge proponent of the Vietnam War, as “mobility became the key to success, and the helicopter was the key to mobility.”  This was “war without front lines”—it was necessary to have a machine that could maneuver like the helicopter to get an advantage in the war.  After this, the helicopter became a permanent entity in the world of flight, and continues today to be a very important facet of aviation technology.

Wings 5

1. Discuss the beginning of supersonic flight research in the United States and whether or not this technology was a priority.

 

The study into supersonic flight in the United States began as early as 1918, working with wind tunnels and aerodynamics, but obviously the world did not see a supersonic aircraft until much later. During WWII, Nazi scientists developed some pretty amazing technology, which is why all the countries were itching to pick up these scientists after the war. Their developments lead to the development of the engine that could support supersonic speeds. Britain placed a much higher priority on supersonic travel than the United States, but eventually the United States did expand research into that field. Chuck Yeager finally broke the sound barrier in a plane with a jet engine, changing aviation ever thereafter to what we know today.

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2. What role did the helicopter play in the development of aviation technology?

 

Airplanes are great for high-speed travel over any type of terrain, but they have one major disadvantage, the space required for landing and takeoff. An airplane needs a runway, and in a lot of situations/locations, runways are not readily available. But along comes the helicopter to save the day. Helicopters can take off and land from a significantly larger number of places, and they can hover in midair without having to keep moving forward. They still have all the advantages of an airplane, like high-speed travel (although to a lesser degree) and movement over any type of terrain, but without the major disadvantage of needing a runway. The helicopter was used at great lengths in the Vietnam war to drop and pick up troops from hostile areas. They are also widely used for search and rescue as well as medical transport.

 

 

3. Support or refute the statement that aviation was the most important military technology since the invention of gunpowder.

 

There is no doubt that aviation has had a major effect on wars and conflicts. Gunpowder revolutionized the way that wars were fought. Aviation did a similar thing, taking the conflict from the front lines and spreading it all over the regions in conflict. I imagine that the world would be a different picture today had aviation not been born. Therefore, I would agree that at its development, it was the most important military technology advancement since gunpowder. Now, however, I would argue that the development of nuclear technology has taken over that position. Although little used in actual conflict because of the ramifications, the threat of nuclear war has changed the world in which we live ever since the 1980s. And even though nuclear bombs would not be possible without the advances in aviation, I believe that nuclear technology currently has greater effect on the world.

Wings #5

1. Discuss the beginning of supersonic flight research in the United States and whether or not this technology was a priority.

The concept of supersonic flight began with the military development of supersonic bombers. Traveling faster than the speed of sound, these planes could depart from a military base at a moment’s notice and arrive to their destination much quicker than planes in the past. Because things change so rapidly in wartime, the ability to do such things was very convenient. After the war, it was assumed that supersonic transport would be further developed and become a new trend for commercial flight. The Concorde, developed by an alliance between the French and British governments, was a supersonic aircraft that could easily cut transatlantic travel time in half (pg 627). On the surface, supersonic flight appeared to be the newest frontier in aviation technology.

Supersonic flight was not all that it was cut out to be, however. It was apparent to experts that the development of such an aircraft would be unrealistically expensive and that the government would need to fund 90% of the research (pg. 625). The U.S. government was hesitant to invest in developing a capable aircraft, finally awarding a contract to Boeing for development of a prototype in 1967 (pg 627). Besides being expensive, the supersonic airplanes were not practical for the U.S. to develop because laws were created to make continental flights of these aircraft illegal due to sonic boom complaints.  Research was in favor of sonic booms causing fear and anxiety amongst citizens and anti-sonic boom groups were created to protest the planes. Farmers were particularly fervent critics of the planes. The airplanes were only used for transcontinental flights. England and France noted that the revenue raised from passenger service with their Concorde plane was not enough to offset its manufacturing expenses (pg. 626). The United States never really made the development of supersonic transport a priority for all of these reasons, instead focusing their efforts on other fields of aviation technology.

3. What role did the helicopter play in the development of aviation technology?

The invention of the helicopter was important in the development of aviation technology because it offered a new way to achieve flight, a method that didn’t involve the use of a runway or a large field to take off and land in. The idea that a person could simply go straight up in the air meant that flight could be used in a lot more situations. It is comical but true that, when Sikorsky introduced the first practical helicopter, it was believed that the helicopter would provide a means of personal transportation, just like automobiles, within the next few years (pg. 469). This dream did not come to fruition unfortunately, but helicopters were used in war and to provide regional transportation.

The importance of helicopters to the military was particularly relevant during the tumultuous and war-filled political environment of the 20^th century. In the beginning, helicopters were used by the United States and other countries for search and rescue missions and for medical transport. These machines were excellent for these two purposes because of their ability to land and take off quickly from a single point, minimizing delays in medical care and shortening the time that the aircraft could be on the ground behind enemy lines. Helicopters began to be used so much in wartime that a new type of helicopter, the helicopter utility vehicle, became the symbol of the Vietnam War to many Americans (pg 472). The importance of aviation continued to be tied with the idea of war. The Vietnam War was heavily publicized in the United States, and, as a result, so was the helicopter.

Helicopters proved that the principles of lift and obtaining heavier-than-air flight could be applied to aircraft other than the airplane. Because the helicopter could do things that the airplane could not, aviation was further applied to new situations.

7. What effect did the invention of the computer have on aviation technology?

Computers offered a new simplicity to the design and manufacturing of airplanes. Airplanes were and still are precise machines. They rely on specific measurements and equations to predict their success. As the concept of flight was studied further in the 1930’s, the issue of flutter, a vibration of the wing or tail mid-flight, arose (pg 511). Deadly if unaddressed, researchers aimed to find an equation to predict this variation. An equation was developed, but it was so complicated that the solving of it required the employment of math-savvy engineers to work together to find the answer. The computer revolutionized this process by allowing a method for any person to punch in the required numbers and let the computer do the work of actually solving the complex equation, simply spitting out an answer that would have taken man hours of work to find.

The computer was also pivotal in airplane manufacturing. Before its invention, the process of designing and building an airplane was extremely time consuming. Engineers created two dimensional models detailing every tiny screw and bolt of the plane, then the craftsmen would build a wooden model to test the design, and finally the model would progress to the actual end product, if no problems were found at each step. The computer, by the 1980’s, allowed for an engineer to input numbers into it and then the computer would show them a model of what their specifications would build. It was much easier for airplane craftsmen to build something that matched a computerized, three-dimensional design than a myriad of hand-drawn two-dimensional sketches.

The ways in which computers improved the processes of airplane design and manufacturing are only two of the incredible ways that computers impacted the aviation industry. The modern airplane cockpit has computers that control almost every aspect of the plane’s operation.

Aviation Blog Post #4- Orville & Wilbur's Favorite Recipes

Last week while browsing through the archives to find my aviation story, I stumbled upon a cookbook called "Cooking with the Wrights."  It was filled with recipes that the Wright family would make for all different occasions.  I thought this was quite interesting, and very cool! I browsed through the book for awhile, and I found two recipes in particular that seemed to be special to the Wright brothers, and I thought that I would share them here.

Let's start with Wilbur.  The recipe I found for him was titled "Wilbur's Favorite Cake."  According to the book, Wilbur had simple tastes.  So simple, in fact, that this recipe was originally from the back of the Royal Baking Powder bag!  It called for shortening, sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour, baking powder, salt, and milk, all very common ingredients that most of us could find in our parents' homes today, if not our own.  The instructions were very simple, as all it required was for the sugar to be added to the shortening, beating the mixture and adding eggs one at a time, and sifting in the dry ingredients, alternating every once in awhile to add in milk.  Then, all Wilbur had to do was bake the cake and enjoy! I think it's pretty fun to imagine one of the fathers of aviation throwing down in the kitchen!

Orville's recipe, however, was much more complicated.  It actually involved one of his infamous inventions-- an ice cream freezer.  In a letter from 1926, Katharine talks about the machine, noting that Orville "rigged" it up and they hadn't quite figured out how to use it-- quite typical of Orville to do so!  Nonetheless, he was able to operate the machine, and he had a chocolate ice cream recipe to go along with it.  It only calls for sugar, unsweetened chocolate, vanilla, and cream.  The instructions were a little more complicated, however, as trying to work the ice cream machine was required.  Basically, Orville would mix the sugar with milk to moisten, add the chocolate, and stir over heat until smooth.  Then he would add the vanilla and let it cool.  The ice cream would go in the freezer, where it would stay for about 45 minutes.  Then he would beat it with an electric mixer, return it to the freezer for half an hour, and then use the electric mixer one more time to break down the ice crystals.

Like I said, Orville's recipe was quite complicated compared to Wilbur's.  I think this contrast is a lovely depiction of the brothers' personalities, and a very interesting insight to the minds of the brothers who created aviation for what it is today!

Wings Assignment 5

Summarize the new aviation technologies that emerged as a result of WWII.

After the invention of the airplane at the beginning of the twentieth century, flight became a major aspect of battle. World War I helped to create the conventional airplane as a permanent integration into society. This development continued on, and with the onset of World War II, the advancement of aviation technology was continued, and with it brought about many new achievements.

During both World War I and World War II, a race existed between every participating country to have the most advanced flight technologies. One way to beat enemy competition through flight included having the fastest machine in battle. As the original piston engines continued to become more efficient until reaching their peak of power, new methods of powering aircraft became sought after. This need served as the fuel that led to the implementation of the turbojet engine and rockets into aircrafts. Other technologies that focused not directly on the abilities of the airplane, but tactics that led to strategic advancements in other areas. Some examples included technologies like radar systems and aerial maps. “World War II produced a series of stunning new technologies, nuclear weapons, jet aircraft, guided missiles, long-range rockets, and an array of electronic systems” (page 476).  Without the dramatic and immediate need for the upper hand during World War II, many of these technologies may have not been developed until much later.

Not only did World War II have a tremendous impact on flight technologies during the war, but it also affected flight technologies after. Very much time, energy, money, and thoughts had been dedicated to the advancement of flight during World War II. However, after World War II, there then existed an availability of resources to still focus on flight development, but not directly on flight development in the war. These resources became significant because organizations could now focus on long term flight technologies for society, instead of short term flight technologies for the war. This all had been made possible due to larger amount of funding now ready to be used for research due to the termination of World War II.

World War II, just like World War I shaped the history of aviation and its advancement in technology. Not only did World War II impact flight immediately, but for years after the war its affects continued to lead to an advancement in flight technologies.

 

Discuss the beginning of supersonic flight research in the United States and whether or not this technology was a priority.

Today, airplane travel at high speed is something not so odd in the modern world. However, around the 1920s, airplanes would grow from a slow speed just barely over 100 miles per hour to airplanes that could handle faster speeds, leading to what would eventually become supersonic speed planes.

It was not very long after the invention of the air plane that the speed capabilities of these machines began to quickly grow. “The engineers who uncovered the secrets of Nazi technology might have been surprised to learn that the new age of high-speed aeronautics actually began in America in the fall of 1918” (Page 445). The increasing speed possibilities of airplanes actually created a problem that would require attention. This problem arose from planes traveling at the speed of sound or higher, which led to many problems including high friction, turbulent air flow around the wings, shockwaves, and dangerous material temperatures.

        These issues would be dealt with by the use of more advanced materials and airplane design. However, in order for planes to continue overall speed advancement, a bigger renovation loomed on the horizon. It was obvious to some that a new type of engine would be required that differed from the piston engine. “It became apparent to a handful of perceptive outsiders, however, that the normal patterns of achieving increases in performance by pushing the limits of the existing technology would no longer suffice” (page 447). This significant change in engine technology was not embraced by the majority of the United States. Industries had built their factories around the development of the piston engine, and would have to completely remodel production if a new type of engine were to be introduced. 

A few persistent individuals would veer off onto the path of new technology to pursue the production of new flight power, like the rocket and turbojet engine. Many organizations would continue to discourage the development of new engines, all the while other countries, like Britain, had been working on their own jet engine. The British's lead in jet-engine technology and knowledge served to help the few in the United States who favored the development of the jet engine. Around the 1950s, the United States would eventually expand turbojet research and develop airplanes that could travel faster than ever before.

What role did the helicopter play in the development of aviation technology?

The development and successful invention of the helicopter led to new possibilities in the field of aviation technology. The conventional airplane that had previously been created offered great capabilities and served as a significant achievement in flight, having features never before available relating to human flight. The helicopter itself also offered very useful and different features that could not be provided by the conventional airplane.

One of the most important features the helicopter could offer that the conventional airplane could not was vertical flight. Meaning the helicopter required neither a runway for take-off nor landing. “Clearly, however, a machine that could rise straight up into the air and hover over one spot served some functions” (page 470). Unlike the conventional airplane which only could provide continuous movement through the air, the helicopter could both move and stay in place, which opened a new range of available possibilities in aviation.

The helicopter and its new wide range of aviation abilities were put into action for practical uses. Eventually the helicopter became a major implementation in war for several purposes. Injured individuals could be rescued via helicopter and easily transported from anywhere. It also meant that troops could be dropped off virtually on top of the enemy. “Mobility became the key to success, and the helicopter the key to mobility” (page 473). The helicopter could basically take and pick up soldiers from everywhere, which led to the heavy use of the helicopter in battles.

 After the use of helicopters in several wars, this unique machine became a permanent method of flight. The industry even profited not long after the invention of the helicopter due to research and production businesses associated with it. The helicopter has become a very important aircraft in the world and still has a major role in many aspects of society.

Assignment #5 Wings

Chapters 12-14

Answer three of the following questions:

1. Discuss the beginning of supersonic flight research in the United States and whether or not this technology was a priority.

The origins of supersonic flight go back farther than one might expect, all the way to 1918, when the first clues that this type of flight were possible occurred during propeller research at McCook Field. When high-speed aircraft began exceeding speeds of 400mph, it became necessary to thoroughly investigate supersonic flight. This technology was not a priority for established manufacturers, who chose to focus on standard propellers and thrust systems. MIT engineer John Stack actually had to violate NACA law to design a supersonic wind tunnel at Langley; his project was, in fact, discovered and shut down. It took the 1942 death of a Lockheed test pilot in a plane which came too close to the sound barrier and subsequently crashed to spur the US industry into seriously pursuing transonic flight.    

2. How did the U.S. view the launch of the Russian satellite Sputnik and what was the reaction?

The American reaction to the launch of Sputnik was mass dismay and shock. In the government, it spurred the development of a civilian space program, as distinct from a military and defense-centered program, thus leading to the birth of NASA.  

3. What effect did the invention of the computer have on aviation technology?

It allowed researchers to calculate faster and more accurately the huge numbers necessary for the advances in ever-more-complex aviation technology. It also allowed human beings to spend their time on more valuable industry labor than simply crunching numbers. It allowed computational fluid dynamics to develop as a field and it pushed airplane design forward, saving time, paper, space and manpower in this labor-intensive and time-consuming task. Finally, by giving rise to machine-driven CNC (computer numerically controlled) manufacturing, it saved skilled labor and time in the process of assembling airplanes.     

Wings Questions #5 - by Kara Bobka

1.  Summarize the new aviation technologies that emerged as a result of WWII.

As a result of WWII, numerous, yet stunning aviation technologies emerged.  These included:  guided missiles, jet aircraft, nuclear weapons, long-range rockets, and electronic systems of all kinds.  By improving aerodynamics, electronics, and propulsion, guided missiles were thought to have the ability to hit enemies who were thousands of miles away at a relatively fast speed.  As a result, these small explosives would have the potential to destroy several square miles of enemy territory.  Yet, that was not all that was envisioned for guided missiles.  Target missiles would defend one against everything but the fastest aircraft, providing effective defense in the air.  In addition to missiles being perfected, jet aircraft was being introduced, where the appearance of a turbojet is credited as one the most notable inventions of aviation history.  Not only did it pave the way for new altitudes and speeds, but turbojets also altered our perceptions of how an airplane looks and sounds.

Besides the latter inventions, numerous software systems emerged as a result of WWII.  For instance, federal funding created the rocket-assisted take-off (RATO) system, which as a result led to the Aerojet General Corporation – a top pioneering rocket company.  The Navy was also at work.  Establishing direction-finding sets, communications equipment, and American radar within the twenty years that separated the two wars, the Navy began its longstanding research tradition.  As if these creations were not enough, they also discovered a thermal diffusion process, aiding in the discovery of the uranium isotope, a component of the atomic bomb.  Even postwar, the Navy still played a major role in aviation, where they managed the upper-atmosphere tests and sounding rocket programs.  In fact, they invented the Project Vanguard, which was the first official earth satellite program of the nation. 

Because of such advancements and these achievements, governments were able to direct research, harnessing the forces of industry and science to yield desirable weapons that were thought to be impossible in the previous decade.  Not only did these programs supply powerful lessons that would alter the way in which basic research was conducted in the United States, but they also transformed the entire world in the process.  Prior to this time, funding for national research for academic success failed due to the Great Depression.  Those who were fortunate to fund their research expenses through small grants via universities and private institutions did so in small areas under several limitations.  So, not only did WWII generate a range of stunning new aviation technologies, but it also made science an economic, political, and social force.

3.  What role did the helicopter play in the development of aviation technology?

The helicopter, which was developed by Igor Ivan Sikorsky who is remembered as “one of the most extraordinary individuals in the history of flight,” played many roles in the development of aviation technology.  Not only did the notion of a helicopter appeal as a means of personal transport for tomorrow, but it also had the potential to serve many functions since it was a machine capable of rising straight up into the air and hovering over a particular spot.  For example, it was thought that it could play a crucial role in regional and urban transportation. 

As many fought to produce the “best’ helicopter designs, and thereby, compete in sales, other advancements emerged, such as jet propulsion and turboshaft engines. Jet propulsion enhanced the speed of growth of vertical flight, whereas turboshaft engines allowed for the machine to exhaust the hot jet gases as it flew.  In fact, on December 11, 1951, Boeing marine gas turbine flew for the very time, introducing the creation of other light and increasingly powerful turboshaft engines.  Providing a revolutionary leap in performance, the turboshaft-propelled helicopter became the most notable turning point of rotary-wing flight history.  As a result, the economy also benefited, where total production and sales of rotary-wing craft reached 7,200 air crafts and 2.5 billion dollars, respectively.

Not only did the turboshaft engine help fuel the American helicopter industry, but also the jet engine.  Its development profoundly impacted military operations.  Prior to these new advancements, helicopters were only used for search-and-rescue and medical evacuations.  Now, due to their increasing speed of vertical flight, they were dropping thousands of soldiers into battle and onto enemy positions.  Therefore, air mobility became one of the most significant notions to come out of various wars, such as the Korean and Vietnam combats.  Thus, the helicopter played many roles in the development of aviation technology, where it’s most notable was the development of different, yet better engines and their respective impacts on various transportation and/or military operations.

7.  What effect did the invention of the computer have on aviation technology?

The invention of the computer had a profound effect on aviation technology.  First, it yielded computational fluid dynamics, which meant that it would manipulate the essential data provided via wind tunnels and transform the exceedingly intricate mathematical calculations into exact pictorial models of fluid flow.  Secondly, it also reshaped how air planes were constructed.  Rather than relying on designers’ drawings and the strenuous, tedious work that went into them, as well as the lofting business behind them, there was now a computer software program capable of advanced illustrations processing.  As a result, it was easier for engineers to coordinate their designs versus doing so with two-dimensional papers. 

Although other architects and manufacturers, like those of automobiles, had already explored and experimented with computer-aided design, it was not until the early 1980s that computers exerted their full effect on aviation technology.  This was done via the introduction of the CAD/CAM (computer-assisted design/computer-assisted manufacturing) programs, which enabled better precision demanded by the aviation industry and ended long hours on a drawing board.  It also enabled designers to be able to construct three-dimensional images of any kind with accuracy.  It allowed them to view their masterpieces from various angles as well.  Not to mention, they now had the ability to send their work to anyone at any time via the push of a button. 

Besides making drawing an easier, repeatable task, these programs were also capable of tabulating all necessary calculations.  For instance, intricate details, such as how many rivets could or would be needed to bind large airplanes together, which was often hundreds of thousands, could be determined by a few key strokes within minutes or seconds.  By combining the computer with aerospace research, numerous corporations and universities began spending and investing money on future research, changing the ways that airplanes and things were manufactured and boosting the American economy.  Thus, the benefits and possibilities that came with the invention of the computer were endless, and thereby, profoundly affected aviation technology in many positive ways.  

WINGS assignment 5

WINGS Assignment 5

Chapter 12-14

 

2. Discuss the beginning of supersonic flight research in the United States and whether or not this technology was a priority.

The beginning of supersonic flight research in the United States began in the fall of 1918 when researchers interested in high-speed flight were working with high speed propellers going almost 6 times the speed of the plane, high-speed wind tunnels, and aerodynamics in design. Jacob Ackeret is credited with the completion of the Mach 2 which represented the ratio of the speed of sound to the speed of an object in comparison. However, any realized it was time to start back at the drawing boards when various attempts did not work to replace usual piston engines with something that could power such speeds; this lead to the supercharger.  

From here came the development of the jet engine. At this time the British still dominated the field of turbojet technology. This would soon change; “By the early 1950w, the enormous U.S. investment in research and development enabled American companies to pull ahead of the Brits.” (p 453) However, the turbojet engine only effectively powered high altitude, high speed flights. Research continued into developing efficient high speed flight, faster than could have been imagined at the time. Eastman Jacobs and Arthur Kantrowitz aimed to design the first true supersonic wind tunnel. This quickly fell through due to NACA restrictions.

The aim was to learn about “aerodynamic conditions close to the speed of sound” (p 455). While wind tunnels had been developed producing these high speeds, even higher than the speed of sound, John Stack believed that to truly gather information they must develop a plane to fly faster than sound. The concern was the uncertainty surrounding this proposition as to what would happen due to such a lack of knowledge. This factor decreased the priority of the project for such a period of time. Finally in 1947, Captain Charles Yeager was the first to fly faster than the speed of sound in the XS-I.  

 

3. What role did the helicopter play in the development of aviation technology?

            The helicopter solved the drawn out problem of vertical flight. There are a variety of research and people that went into the success, and much like the first flying machine, many had been working on it for a period of time before success was reached. Advances in vertical flight started out as the autogiro developed by Juan de la Cierva in 1923. This machine featured “a free-wheeling rotor at a positive angle on top of a machine fitted with a conventional engine and propeller mounted on the nose. The forward motion of the craft would turn the rotor, lifting the machine into the air.” This was not considered the world’s first helicopter due to its need for a short take off run.

            Autogiros were actually a relatively popular piece of machinery. Harold Pitcairn bought the rights here to American manufacturing where he was convinced these could replace the car in every garage as the average American’s means of transportation. While we see today he was wrong, Pitcairn helped to develop a safer landing mechanism and even autogiros capable of use on roads as well. Unfortunately the development of the true helicopter before the onset of World War II had a negative impact when he went to market his machines to the military.

            In America, Igor Sikorsky is greatly credited with the development of the practical helicopter. Vertical flight had come this far but more was needing accomplished before helicopters would see a true role. When technical issues were finally sorted out, enthusiasm for the helicopter flourished across the states. The popularity was combated with the fact that they were not easily flown and not practical to have in the hands of average American’s.

            The helicopter played a role of further advances in aviation; it displayed a new way of flight that had not yet been conquered including hovering.  The helicopter became an important tool of war to carry supplies as well as men into battle. With such effective vertical mobility it made it possible to land without a strip and take off quickly from the same position.

10. Support of refute the statement that aviation was the most important military technology since the invention of gunpowder.

I would support the statement that aviation was the most important military technology since the invention of gunpowder. While maybe it is not as large of a revolution that the development of gunpowder brought to military efforts overall, aviation changed the face of war and conflict. It is amazing that within a few years conflict went from the ground to the skies. People were able to fly across the ocean in hours rather than days, and all continents were suddenly connected by this ability to fly. Planes went from a flimsy wooden and fabric biplane to a tough metal monoplane capable of flying high altitudes and high speeds while carrying people and supplies. We saw from here the development of supersonic speeds, vertical flight, and rocket power. While this advance in technology was a great advance for the military, aviation also brought much destruction to the areas impacted. More destruction came to the innocent civilians than any conflict had ever seen with airplanes able to pinpoint bomb locations from across seas.  We saw lives lost that should not have been sacrificed, much like with what we see with gunpowder. With advances comes some tragedy as well when these powerful weapons and tools get into the hands of anger and vengeance.

We then see the airplane develop into a commercial tool and exploratory tool. The advances continue over such a short span of time that it would be arguable to say that aviation is even greater and advancement than gunpowder. The examples of aviation that we have today are unrecognizable compared to a century ago. We have whole museums dedicated to the development of military aviation alone. In the beginning, we heard warnings of the danger that aircraft could possess, but we also hear and see the great knowledge and technology that they have brought to the world.

Blog Post 6

Reading the title “Nine-Year-Old Wingwalkers” the first thing that went through my head was wondering where in there mothers were. That is a terrifyingly daring stunt and I could not imagine letting my child go up on the wing of a plane. Reading more, I learned about cousins from Britain, Flame and Rose. They are the grandchildren of Vic Norman who owns the Breitling Wingwalkers. The cousins were aiming to be the youngest formation wing walkers for Guinness Book of World Records. Unfortunately they weren't able to run for youngest wing walkers altogether because Flame's older brother Tiger, claimed that in 2009 at the age of 8 (Pretty cool names by the way).

The girls stood atop their grandfather's Boeing Stearman biplanes all strapped in at 500ft. The girls both reported being pretty scared and screaming but having an awesome experience seeing everything below.

What makes this story even better is that they were raising money for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in honor of their 6 year old friend who suffers from it. I definitely look up to these girls because that takes a lot of bravery and selflessness.

http://www.nbcnews.com/#/news/other/nervous-nine-year-old-girls-complete-wing-walk-record-attempt-f6C10967083

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/22/youngest-formation-wing-walkers-9-years-old_n_3796931.html

Blog Post 5

Recently, I was reading about some of the criteria to become a pilot, one of which stated that many required an aviation medical exam. Interested, I read father, and this feared examination was actually pretty straightforward.  Most pilots must obtain certification stating their passing of the medical examination portion to legally fly and utilize their hard earned pilot certificate. A site even offered some tips about the exams to nervous pilots awaiting theirs. I found this most helpful because it put the exam into layman's terms so that it was easily understood what one could expect. Everyone can appreciate a straightforward read. One tip was to do some research on the testing and see what the criteria are to be met such as special conditions and eyesight so that more information can be provided to the examiner and one can be prepared. Some conditions require a further issuance that would require some extra documentation. Another tip was to know what type of certification you will be needing. There are three classes with class one being the most in-depth examination. A perspective pilot can anticipate questions about past medical history, labs and a urinalysis to be done, blood pressure check, and a mental health exam. In the end the site stated that it was uncommon to be downright denied certification and that often if there is a question that you will be passed on to the FAA for review. There is also potential for appeal with the correct documentation. It makes sense that such would be needed before flying, but I had never put much thought into the actual process or intensity.
http://aviation.about.com/od/Regulations/a/The-Aviation-Medical-Exam-What-To-Expect.htm

Aviation story #4 - Brittany Robinson

This story is less related to aviation in terms of flight, but hear me out- I think the technology is similar enough, and it reminded me of something that could be in the National Museum of the USAF! The NASA Hubble Space telescope has recently been able to capture what an asteroid looks like in the process of breaking up; something that has not ever been seen. The asteroid, marked as P/2013 R3, had been watched by some other area observers before it was brought to the attention of the Hubble observers.

Scientists believe that the asteroid appears to be breaking apart simply due to a shift in its rotation rates. It is likely that it may have collided with other asteroids, etc., which would in turn weaken its interior. It has been in this process for at least a year or so. The data reveals that, "the fragments are drifting away from each other at a leisurely 1.5 kilometers per hour — slower than the speed of a strolling human."

What's in store for the asteroid, you may wonder? Most fragments will end up plunging into the sun, but NASA thinks some could also one day become meteors. 


Source: http://www.spacetelescope.org/news/heic1405/

Wings Assignment #4

Darian Black

March 11, 2014

Honors Dayton Aviation

Wings Assignment #4

1. They thought that aerial attacks would end mankind because of how accessible the people on the ground were to getting hit with a bomb from an aircraft.

1. The modern bomber emerged from the design revolution of the 1930’s. The role that it played was that it helped greater develop the aircraft and to help make more efficient bomber planes. For example, the “Boeing B-9 (1931)” had a pencil-thin fuselage, open cockpits, light bomb load and limited defensive armament.

6.)  Hitler used the war tactic called, “strategic bombing” in Poland this war tactic was extremely successful and helped Hitler come in and conquer the area’s in Europe that Hitler wanted to take over and he was able to invade this country by using such a overwhelming and deadly war tactic in Poland.

Aviation Story #3 - Brittany Robinson

An Update on the Malaysia Airlines Mystery

The incident has been mentioned on our blog, but I have been trying to somewhat follow along with the story as things happen. New developments have been made, but officials are still uncertain of what actually happened to the jet plane. It is now thought that one of the pilots might be responsible.

Authorities believe that there were attempts to escape being on radar, using tactics that only someone who really knew what they were doing would be able to make. The plane was steered off course, and appeared to have made turns that an amateur would have made (possibly on purpose?). Also, it's two main communication systems, the data responder and location/altitude transponder, were shut off within 15 minutes of each other. All of the actions are believed to be consistent, and deliberate- with no links found to terrorism.

To make matters worse, it sounds as if Malaysian officials aren't being as cooperative as the U.S. would like. They have not given permission for the FBI to help in the search on land, and has actually turned down assistance from nearby countries. It is thought that the Prime Minister could even be withholding information. Time will only tell.

Source:
http://abcnews.go.com/International/malaysia-airlines-jet-made-tactical-aviation-maneuvers-law/story?id=22922961

Wings Assignment 4

Why did some world leaders and theologians feel that flying would be the end of mankind?

When Wilbur and Orville Wright successfully achieved human flight at the beginning of the twentieth century, they knew they had stumbled upon the beginning of aviation, but they had also created something else. Many individuals and groups disagreed with the creation of the airplane because they felt it would cause more harm than good. This is due to the fact that the Wright Brothers’ had unintentionally invented not only a new machine, but a new weapon.

Both those who agreed or disagreed with the creation of the airplane theorized about the path it would take in the history of humankind. Those who disagreed with its invention had for the most part come to this conclusion due to their speculation that it would cause death to the innocent among the masses. They especially grew fearful of the destruction that would come about when the power of flight fell into the wrong hands. “Noel Andre l’Abbe Pluche agreed that “the art of flying would be the greatest calamity that could befall society,” while the English natural philosopher William Derham believed that flight would “give ill men greater opportunities to do Mischief,” and prove inconsistent with “the Peace of the World”” (page 357).

Did these men have ideas that would eventually become a reality? The incorporation of flight into war would prove that flight was definitely possible of all these speculations. Both World War I and World War II heavily relied upon the new weapon of flight in their battles. Airplanes became equipped with guns and bombs, leading to the death and destruction of many. Theologians were right in that every country needed to scramble to arm themselves with airplanes in order to protect themselves from those who already had it.

Flight continues today to be used as a weapon. We in America know this all too well after September 11^th. However, flight has become so much more in society than just a weapon. Flight is a major part of transportation, which without the world would be very different. Flight continues to be used both for good and bad today, but I think that many of the theologians who speculated about the airplanes potential many years ago would be surprised by the amount of good it can also bring to society.

What new technologies revolutionized aerial combat in WWII?

               At the beginning of World War II, the world had only been introduced to the airplane just a few years beforehand. The incorporation of aviation into society, especially in America, depended heavily upon the dependence of flight in the wars. The strong utilization of flight in World War I had dramatically taken the airplane - that had almost literally just become a practical success by the Wright Brothers - to a much more reliable machine with much higher standards. This increase in the airplane’s technology and aerial combat technology was no different for World War II.

               As expected, airplanes advanced throughout the World War II. Countries focused great amounts of attention on pursuing air bombings through bomber planes. These planes had more advanced designs and engines than the planes that had been used pre-World War II. Countries also focused on mass production of air planes, numbering in the thousands of airplanes produced, ultimately leading to production outcomes never before seen. Not only did airplanes advance during World War II, but also technology concerning aerial combat. A major breakthrough came with the use of radars for detection. “No one envisioned an air war in which a battle between electronic detection and navigation systems, and the technical measures devised to counter them, would spell the difference between victory and defeat” (page 384). Aviation grew tremendously during World War II, not only through airplanes, but with aerial technology, like the radio detection system. In addition to defense, new weapons incorporated via flight also started to become introduced, like the atomic bomb. Without airplanes, it is not likely that atomic bombs could be deployed, so the invention of weapons of mass destruction like this became possible largely due to flight. Hundreds of thousands of lives were lost during World War II due to air attacks. These scales of attack would not have been possible without flight and its advancement. 

What role did strategic bombing play during the war and was it successful?

               During World War II, aerial combat had become a major part of battle. This of course, would not be possible without the airplane. Aerial bombing had been introduced in World War I, and because of its “success,” continued to be utilized during World War II. As bombing became more and more a focus during the war, leaders decided to introduce strategic bombing as opposed to random bombing.

               Strategic bombing is the bombing attacks of industrial areas, like railroads and factories, instead of the bombing of civilian areas. The purpose of this type of bombing is to cutoff the enemy from its own further advancement in the war, while lessening civilian casualties. This new idea of strategic bombing became even more possible with the use of radio, radar detection, and aerial mapping, because pilots were more equip to precisely aim at specific targets.

               The use of strategic bombing was a tactic incorporated by the United States when pursuing its own attacks. Franklin Roosevelt endorsed strategic bombing on enemies in order to prevent as many civilian casualties as possible. “‘The American government and the American people,’ he announced in 1939, ‘have for some time pursued a policy of whole-heartedly condemning the unprovoked bombing and machine-gunning of civilians’”(page 408). However, the numbers do not lie. The hundreds of thousands of lives lost during the war for the most part included civilians. “Talk was cheap. When the time came, whatever his public stance, President Roosevelt urged an unrelenting, around-the-clock, strategic-air assault of the enemy’s homeland as a keystone of Allied policy”(page 408). In the end, many homes and cities had been burned to the ground, with little focus seeming to have been to only bomb strategically. Therefore, the overall use of strategic bombing not only by the United States but by all participants of the war appeared to have failed.

Wings #4 Jonathan Smithers

1. Why did some world leaders and theologians feel that flying would be the end of mankind?

They felt that flight meant that a civilian population would no longer be safe anywhere. This fear was realized during World War II when the bombing of the civilian population was a key tactic for both the allies and the axis powers. However, the allies used it to devastating effect, the bombing of Berlin and the hydrogen bombs dropped in Japan. Stanley Baldwin said “you have to kill more women and children than the enemy if you wish to save yourselves”. Noel Andre went as far as to say, “The art of flying would be the greatest calamity that could befall society”. These men all lived in fear that flight would bring an end to the safety and security of living on the ground. Airplanes can be above you, and you never even know they are there. Bombs could be dropped from above, and destroy a whole city before anyone knew what was happening. Their thoughts were, a population could be attacked at any time and the only way to defend against it would be to attack first.

2          2.      What factors influenced the development of the aircraft carrier and what role did it play in WWII?

Aircraft carriers played a huge role during World War II in the Pacific theater. Aircraft carriers allowed both sides, the allies and the axis, to attack each other. The Japanese got America into the war using aircraft carriers to launch an aerial attack against Pearl Harbor. One of the first aircraft carriers was developed by the British; they took an old cruiser and added decks. The first ship designed as an aircraft carrier was also developed by the British. In 1918, the British ship HMS Argus was launched. It was the first ship to have a completely flattop as a flight deck. The Washington Naval Treaty paved the way for several countries to build aircraft carriers. The treaty specified the number of ship that each country was allowed to maintain after World War I. Instead of destroying ships that they were not allowed to keep, some of the countries converted the ships into aircraft carriers. Japan converted two ships into aircraft carriers because of this treaty. One of these carries was used by the Japanese in one of the first battles of the war and in the attack of Pearl Harbor. The Kaga was used to launch one of the first aerial attacks from an aircraft carrier in 1937 and later the Kaga was used in the attack on Pearl Harbor. In America, three aircraft carriers were built. These carriers would need a new type of plane, one designed to be launched from an aircraft carrier and design for the specific uses of a carrier based aircraft.

3          3.      What role did strategic bombing play during the war and was it successful

Strategic bombing was used to devastating effect during World War II. At the start of the war and at the beginning of the war almost all of the countries were against the bombing of civilian populations. German was one of the first countries to drop the act and bomb a civilian area. During Germany’s Blitz on Britain several cities were bombed. Britain lost 40,000 people to the Blitz alone. At first the Allies had been more strategic about their bombing sites, choosing industrial areas and areas that were important to the military of Germany. This quickly changed when Britain had been bombed, they were now out to break the German will to fight. They bombed German around the clock for small periods in the war. Towards the end of the war the British and American strategic bombing campaigns gained steam, they were dropping well over 1.5 million tons of bombs. Between 1944 and 1945 fifty towns in Germany were destroyed. Strategic bombing was also used in the Pacific theater; however, a bomb with greater range was required to bomb a target at such a great distance. The B-29 was used to bomb factories and cities in Japan. The B-29 was used to set fire to Tokyo in 1945. Later on the B-29, the Enola Gay, would drop the first atomic bomb on Japan. Strategic bombing was used to destroy key enemy facilities and destroy the moral of the enemy. Strategic bombing was probably the key reason that the allies won the Second World War.

4          4.      What new technologies emerged as a result of the war that would characterize the future of aviation?

Several important new technologies were developed during World War II. These technologies would forever transform aviation. A couple of the most important technological advances to come out of World War II are the development of jet engines and radar. The jet engine was developed by German engineers, and briefly, at the end of the war, jet engine powered aircraft were used. The Germans developed the first jet fighter, but it was introduced too late to have any effect on the outcome of the war. Another of one of the most important technological advances to come out of World War II was radar. Radar was a huge advancement during the war; it allowed a pilot to see where other aircraft were. It allowed ships to spot income ships or aircraft at a great distance. It also led to the development of the early warning system, since you could see aircraft coming from miles away.

WINGS Assignment #4 - Brittany Robinson

1. Why did some world leaders and theologians feel that flying would be the end of mankind?

Certain world leaders were extremely weary about flying. The book points out British Prime Minister, Stanley Baldwin, as being one of them. He once stated, "I wish for many reasons that flying had never been invented… I think it is well for the man on the street to realize that there is no power on earth that can prevent him from being bombed. Whatever people may tell him, the bomber will always get through." The possibility of aerial attacks on civilian targets seemed to be the biggest concern amongst thinkers. Baldwin concluded that the only defense against these sorts of attacks, was to rely on offensive attacks- so by avoiding destruction of your own people, you had to destroy someone else's. 

English philosopher William Derham once stated that flight would "give ill men greater Opportunities to do Mischief," and interrupt ideas of world peace. His thoughts were completely valid, but these risks are just as similar as having gun regulations (or lack thereof) on land. There are bad people out there, but you have to hope that they won't be able to access guns, planes, bombs, etc.; anything that can be used as a weapon against other civilians. 

2. What factors influenced the development of the aircraft carrier and what role did it play in WWII?

Many factors influenced the development of the aircraft carrier, but the biggest push factor was the lack of availability of land use for aircrafts. It can be assumed that any area that the projection of national policy forces is in use, there will not be easily accessible land for the use of that air power. In the beginning, developers simply added platforms to cruisers. They soon realized that it was to their benefit to start designing ships solely for aircraft carrier usage. These carriers played a great role in WWII because it was almost like a whole new playing field. Carriers could more discreetly transport aircrafts near their intended locations than they could on land, and aircrafts would have less worry about gas usage and wear of the aircraft. They just had to decide which aircrafts would be of best use.

4. What type of aircraft emerged from the design revolution of the 1930’s and what role would it play during WWII?

The modern bomber was one of the biggest designs to come out of the 1930's. These designs began with the Boeing B-9, in 1931, and progressed into the Martin B-10 which was developed in 1933. The Martin B-10 was the first modernized, all-metal monoplane bomber to actually be used in action. The cockpits were enclosed, it offered a rotating gun turret, and a bomb bay on the inside; all at a speed of up to 200 mph. The B-10 was recognized as a sign of just how advanced the American aviation industry was, and was  becoming. It took an even more important role with the testing of bombsight, which became one of the biggest "secret weapons" of the Air Corps. Bombsight represented the "American way of war" which was "clean and precise."

Wings Assessment #4

1. Why did some world leaders and theologians feel that flying would be the end of mankind?

“I wish for many reasons that flying had never been invented,” were the words that Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin once used to describe his hesitation about aviation. There were many world leaders and theologians who felt the same way as Baldwin. Many of them believed that aerial attacks on civilian targets would bring about the end of the world as we knew it. They thought the only safe strategy in such events would be to kill more innocent women than children than the opposition if a victorious outcome was desired. Many of them viewed the idea of “wings” as a whole a sign of disrespect towards God. Juan Caramuel y Lobkowitz stated that God prevented man from having wings so as to keep his life quiet and peaceful. Author Samuel Johnson, whose time came much later than the previously described theologians, wrote that, “If men were all virtuous…I should with alacrity teach them all to fly. But what would be the security of the good, if the bad could at pleasure invade them from the sky?”  Clearly the world leaders and theologians of the time believed that taking to the great skies would allow evil-doers to maliciously attack unsuspecting targets from the sky, where they would have an incredible advantage. Even the great Winston Churchill suggested military aviation be banned following WWI only allowing a League of Nations international air force for the purpose of peacekeeping. A lot of this philosophy carries over into modern aviation where attacks like Pearl Harbor and 9/11 have corroborated this concern. Although the two previously described attacks on the United States have not let to the end of the world, they still brought about sweeping changes in national security and the way we view our safety when it comes to aviation. The world leaders and theologians of the time had great concerns that were definitely warranted, but perhaps they did not understand the lengths that nations would ultimately go to in order to secure the safety of their people.

 

 

 

6. What role did strategic bombing play during the war and was it successful?

 

On December 7^th, 1941 a fleet of Japanese bombers attacked United States warships stationed in the Naval Base of Pearl Harbor. It resulted in a loss of 188 aircraft, 18 sunken or badly damaged vessels, and 2,251 dead military personnel. It also left 1,119 wounded and 22 missing in action. This surprise, strategic bombing attack carried out by the Japanese began the military involvement of the United States in World War II. For the Japanese, it was successful on the short-term, but the United States would not forget the attack on Pearl Harbor. The United States entered the war due to strategic bombing, and would also end the war through the use of strategic bombing. Strategic bombing would play a central role in the midst of the war itself as well. The Battle of Britain highlighted its significance. The German Luftwaffe began a bombing campaign on Britain attacking shipping in the Channel and on RAF Fighter Command bases. This developed into a full-scale attack on London and other urban targets rich with civilians. The Germans could not break the will of the British, however, and were no more successful at reducing Moscow on the Eastern Front. What enabled the Germans such rich bombing campaigns was having control of the sky. Luftwaffe fighters had far more aerial victories than those of other nations allowing Germany to bomb cities in uninhibited fashion for the most part.  As the war progressed and Germany fell to Allies, the war turned to the Pacific, where the Japanese still lingered after the earlier attack on Pearl Harbor. After an intense strategic bombing campaign on Japan and no sign of surrender to come, the United States turned to a weapon it had been carefully developing: The Atomic Bomb. Two total bombs were dropped on Japan. The first one was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan on August 6, 1945 and the second one was dropped on Nagasaki on August 9^th. The stunned Emperor Hirohito and rational members of the government of Japan then, in turn, requested peace and surrendered.

 

 

8. How did WWII transform the prewar United States aviation industry into the huge aerospace and defense industrial complex it is today?

 

As World War II came to a close, it was observable that the once-diminutive aviation industry in the United States had transformed into a massive industrial complex. The sheer need for the production of military aircraft during the war promoted massive job creation and the economic explosion of various aircraft producing companies. The United States produced around 1,800 military aircraft total in the year 1938. By 1944, just six years later, that number had jumped all the way up to 96,300, almost 54 times the 1938 production numbers. Similar trends were observed in all of the warring nations of World War II. Aviation was placed at 41^st in ranking American industries in 1939. Lockheed, in particular, went from never having produced more than 148 aircraft of a single type before 1938 to producing 2,941 twin-engine Hudson bombers that same year. Employment in the aviation industry grew to 94,329 by 1943. With expanding aviation, companies like Lockheed and Douglas had to expand their factory-floor space to accommodate the increase in orders. The Douglas Company received the honor of being the nation’s largest aircraft producer accounting for 15.3% of total airframe tonnage. Since no business had the funding to purchase large areas of land or spend millions on building and providing factories with the required machinery, the US. Government created the Emergency Plant Facilities program. This reimbursed companies for construction costs with the knowledge that the government would repossess the newly created property once peace returned and orders slowed. This created a boom in construction of plants across the country. It helped to lay the foundation for the massive aviation industrial complex that was soon to follow. Not only this, but it also helped to contribute to the United States growth into having the most dominant air force across the globe post-World War II.