Technology During World War II
Introduction
Two pieces of technology that stand out in the history of World War II are Radar and Bombsights. Both technologies played a crucial role in the defensive and offensive strategies of all the countries involved. During World War II RADAR saw its first use in combat operations. Although radar came of age during the war (Goebel) it is often referred to as the weapon that won the war and the invention that changed the world. Radar was a technology that allowed land bases to detect incoming aircraft and direct their anti-air defences in the direction of the incoming aircraft. Radar was also used in an offensive strategy by giving aircraft the ability to attack targets at night and during inclement weather.
Although the use of aircraft in combat wasn’t a new concept in World War II, the development of the bombsight helped to make them a strategic weapon. Bombsight technology allowed for more accurate bombing runs and precision targeting of military and industrial locations. By factoring in altitude, air speed, and ground speed, World War II bombsights allowed bombers to fly at higher altitudes during their bombing missions which provided safety to the bombers and their crews from anti-aircraft guns and defending fighter aircraft.
Radar
Radar technology works by transmitting strong, short pulses of radio energy into the air in a specific direction using what is called a directional antenna. When these pulses hit an object like a ship, or aircraft they bounce off the object and back to the antenna. These signals are then converted into an electric signal and shown on screen where they can be viewed by an operator. The position of a detected target is determined by measuring the time it takes the signal pulse to travel to the target, bounce off, and return to the transmitting antenna. Combining this with the direction the antenna is pointing, gives the targets position.
Bombsight
A bombsight is a device used by aircraft to sight a target
Two pieces of technology that stand out in the history of World War II are Radar and Bombsights. Both technologies played a crucial role in the defensive and offensive strategies of all the countries involved. During World War II RADAR saw its first use in combat operations. Although radar came of age during the war (Goebel) it is often referred to as the weapon that won the war and the invention that changed the world. Radar was a technology that allowed land bases to detect incoming aircraft and direct their anti-air defences in the direction of the incoming aircraft. Radar was also used in an offensive strategy by giving aircraft the ability to attack targets at night and during inclement weather.
Although the use of aircraft in combat wasn’t a new concept in World War II, the development of the bombsight helped to make them a strategic weapon. Bombsight technology allowed for more accurate bombing runs and precision targeting of military and industrial locations. By factoring in altitude, air speed, and ground speed, World War II bombsights allowed bombers to fly at higher altitudes during their bombing missions which provided safety to the bombers and their crews from anti-aircraft guns and defending fighter aircraft.
Radar
Radar technology works by transmitting strong, short pulses of radio energy into the air in a specific direction using what is called a directional antenna. When these pulses hit an object like a ship, or aircraft they bounce off the object and back to the antenna. These signals are then converted into an electric signal and shown on screen where they can be viewed by an operator. The position of a detected target is determined by measuring the time it takes the signal pulse to travel to the target, bounce off, and return to the transmitting antenna. Combining this with the direction the antenna is pointing, gives the targets position.
Bombsight
A bombsight is a device used by aircraft to sight a target