Evolution of Aerial Warfare in the U.S.
Sebastian Pedro Ruelas
Senior Exit Project
Eva Peters
14 November 2018
Aerial warfare has evolved throughout the past century in many practical ways throughout the United States. The U.S. first started using planes in World War 1, even though they were borrowed from Britain and France. During World War 1, the planes were made out of wood and fabric. It was not until World War 2 when the U.S. started mass producing metal airplanes for the war. The idea of using metal planes changed the evolution of aerial warfare in many significant ways.
The metal had many benefits such as being easier to fix, it was more durable and reliable, and it provided a right amount of support towards the planes. Since World War 2, the United States has progressed through aviation in many significant ways. In Vietnam, the U.S. used helicopters and jets to fight as well as carry supplies and soldiers. In Afghanistan, the latest technology is used on planes so that we can spy on the enemy and attack using crewless planes called drones. In the now, some engineers dedicate their lives to researching and developing aerospace technology for all types of aircraft for the United States Air Force.
It takes a lot of responsibility and hard work for an aerospace engineer to do his/her job. There are many requirements that the engineers need to meet and excel in to become an engineer for the United States Air Force. They must follow specific procedures in order to complete their jobs and have successful outcomes when fixing or creating mechanical parts for planes. If it were not for these engineers, then the U.S. would not have progressed in aerospace technology and engineering.
The U.S. used European aircraft during WWI since the US had not yet found an efficient way to mass produce airplanes. European plane frames consisted of wood and stretched fabric since metal was hard to produce quickly, so this was not an option at the time. This meant that the planes could not be easily assembled in a factory line model. It was a long process too, and the US did not have the time to do this during the war.
In the early 1900’s there were no specific flight plans for battle. This was new territory for most pilots and airplanes had mostly been for transportation. The majority of times planes ended up in dogfights, meaning that they had a chase in the sky. Most of the planes had guns mounted to them, and that was how aerial warfare was carried out. Being able to fly a plane and successfully shoot a gun was a success, but the planes and weaponry at the time were not as reliable as most of the pilots had little to no flight experience.
The first metal plane ever built, was built in Berlin Germany. It was called the Junkers J1. The J1 was made out of nothing but metal. In the United States, the first metal monoplane fighter was the Boeing P-26A. This plane was mass produced for the U.S. Army Air Corps. “The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) declared in its 1920 Annual Report that metal was superior to wood because "metal that does not splinter is more homogeneous, and the properties of the material are much better known and can be relied upon. Metal also can be produced in large quantities, and it is felt that in the future all large airplanes must necessarily be constructed of metal" (Junkers).
The discovery and use of aluminum in plane frames were revolutionary. Wood and fabric were sturdy enough to build and hold a plane together but were easily broken, ripped, or hard to repair. Once the damage was done, it was difficult to repair the materials. The same can not be said for aluminum. Not only is aluminum easy to repair or patch, but it was also more durable and provided safety from bullets or projectiles for our pilots. Although aluminum was another obstacle that needed to be mined and refined, it was the next step in the evolution of planes. We left the idea that we needed to have light materials to fly so that we could find better ways to protect our planes and pilots. Aluminum superseded wood and fabric because metal was first used on a plane by the Ford company. From the success of the first metal plane, the military started using metal as a base material for their planes, other vehicles, and equipment.
The U.S. was well equipped in World War 2 aviation than in World War 1. By World War 2 the U.S. had different class types when it came to planes. They had Fighters, Bombers, Reconnaissance, Cargo and even Jet (by the end of World War 2) planes. “Technologically, military aircraft rapidly evolved during the war. The wood-and-fabric biplanes of the Great War were superseded by sleek aluminum air frames with powerful, often supercharged piston engines. While the British had the Spitfire and the Germans the Messerschmitt, the U.S made innovations as well, developing the successful P-51 Mustang in collaboration with the British, and introducing important innovations in long-range bombers, such as the B-17 “Flying Fortress” and the famous B-29”(Engineering and Technology History Wiki).
The weaponry was way more technologically advanced than from what it was in World War 1. Missiles and bombs did more damage and were more durable. When dropping missiles and bombs, the trajectory and calculations were more precise and accurate due to better technological advancements in the equipment used in the planes. Bombers were made to carry mass amounts of bombs. Not only did the U.S. make advancements in their planes but they made advancements in their pilots. By doing this, they made the planes safer for the pilots to fly in and had better training for them. “World War II was the supreme wakeup call. At the outset of the war, U.S. Army and Navy aircraft were inferior in almost every way to German and Japanese aircraft. However, thanks to innovative engineers, by the later stages of the war, our aircraft were significantly superior to those of our adversaries. We also learned to use our admittedly inferior machines to advantage” (National Academy of Engineering).
The planes in the present day also have covers over the cockpit unlike before whereas there was no cover and the pilots were in the open wind. In World War 1 and two there weren’t any ejection seats with a tracker in them like now. The only thing they had was a parachute in which they had to jump out and deploy the chute manually. Nowadays planes can use auto eject if the plane is in critical condition without any interference of the pilot. The pilot’s gear has advanced along with planes and training as well. In the present day, pilot’s wear special masks that help them with breathing and help protect their eyes from the sun. “In the early 1930s, the jet engine was invented. Credit is usually given to Sir Frank Whittle of Great Britain (first to apply for a patent) and Dr. Hans von Ohain of Germany, whose engine was installed on a Heinkel He-178 and was the first to fly in 1939. During the war, Germany, England, and America continued working on jet engines and the aircraft they would power. Hitler planned to develop a jet-powered bomber but finally had to settle for a fighter - the Messerschmitt Me-262, which was generally untouchable by allied propeller aircraft because of its speed. However, the Me-262 had a limited range because of excessive fuel consumption and limited targeting capability at high speed. Fortunately, the war ended before it could be perfected.” (National Academy of Engineering).
During the Cold War, the U.S. no longer focused on just flying planes long distances. At this point, the U.S. was more concerned about planes that could carry nuclear weapons across the globe and for reconnaissance purposes. When the Cold War was upon the U.S., America’s fleet was developed. The B-47 and the B-52 were developed due to the need of long-range bombers that could carry nuclear weapons long distances. Almost every aircraft can carry nuclear weapons due to the demand for nuclear warfare. The Century series of aircraft for the Air Force, consisting of supersonic fighters (the F-100, F-101, F-102, the F-104, Starfighter [Mach 2 plus], the F-105 and the F-106), new bombers (the B-47 and the B-52, which is still in the inventory), jet airliners, and the XB-70 (designed to sustain Mach 3 and, for its size, probably the most remarkable aircraft of all) were all in development. The X-15 had extended human-crewed flight all the way to Mach 5. The F-12, which led to the Mach 3 SR-71 high-speed reconnaissance aircraft, was flying. Sixty-five years after Wilbur and Orville’s remarkable first powered flight, the golden age of military aviation had arrived.
During the war of Vietnam, planes were mostly used for airstrikes and bombing targeted areas. Throughout the majority of the Vietnam war, the United States used helicopters because they were easier to land and maneuver through the jungles. The Vietnam war was the golden age for helicopters because the U.S. relied on those helicopters to carry troops, supplies, weapons, and fuel throughout the jungle to try and win the war.
Helicopters made a difference though and after the war because they had maneuverability that planes did not have. They were able to land almost anywhere when needed and did not need much space while doing so. Along with the demand of so many helicopters, there was a demand for research and development for helicopters too. Many engineers focused on how they could make the helicopters more durable, long-lasting, technologically updated, faster, more maneuverable and most importantly, cost-effective. These were all significant topics when it came to developing new and improved helicopters for the future. “Aerial weapons research started during WWII did greatly affect U.S. military strategy in Vietnam. By the mid-1960’s, the U.S. had built an impressive fleet of aircraft. It is arsenal included stealth jets used for reconnaissance, such as the Lockheed SR-71 to gunships. This involved the AC-130 Spectre to bombers including the Martin B-57B” (Mental Floss).
In the war of Afghanistan, the United States is so technologically advanced to the point where they have drones that can be controlled from miles away. The United States no longer has the goal of flying planes long distance anymore. The U.S. is more concerned on the technological advancements on aircraft now more than ever. The U.S. went from dropping grenades from the sides of planes in World War 1 to controlling a crew less aircraft that can carry and shoot missiles with the push of a button. Nowadays we can use a drone to eliminate most targets and not worry about losing any lives on our side. Even though drones can be expensive, they get the job done and are very reliable.
The drones can be equipped with missiles, radar, thermal vision, and stealth. Missiles were used to destroy enemy camps, tanks, planes, and equipment. Technology has reached not only planes but missiles too. Missiles can now be heat seeking, target finding, Radar, now technologically advanced, was used to seek out the other side and track the enemy along with thermal vision. This was used to see through buildings and planes to track thermal ratings showing how many people are there. Stealth planes use technology to hide their aircraft from enemy missiles and radar.
Aerospace engineering has changed modern warfare in ways that have never been imagined before. Aerospace engineering has changed aircraft in many ways. We went from building planes out of wood and fabric to creating drones that could shoot missiles while controlling them from hundreds of miles away. (National Academy of Engineering)
Throughout the years the U.S. has learned from past predecessors and has gotten to them. How has flight affected modern warfare? Aerial warfare is not just about distance anymore. Today’s engineers are looking for ways to make flight cost-efficient, stealth focused, and safer for our pilots with the creation of drones. Aerospace Engineers are dedicated to their craft. “Direct and coordinate the design, manufacture, and testing of aircraft and aerospace products” (Bureau of Labor Statistics). In order to be an aerospace engineer, one needs to solve complex problems, and know the plans for each plane down to the last line or figure. “Develop acceptance criteria for design methods, quality standards, sustainment after delivery, and completion dates” (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Aerospace engineers must be organized in order to meet deadlines and quick to assess designs for flaws. Quality is determined by the engineer him/herself or other peers, and it is the responsibility of the engineer to ensure that all projects are completed to the highest standard possible. In order to be an excellent aerospace engineer, one must be able to meet all of the requirements, but also show dedication beyond expectations.
In all, aircraft has come an extraordinary way through science, technology, and engineering, along with aerospace. Throughout all of the years, in aerospace engineering, the United States has made a significant amount of improvements in aviation. This is because, throughout all of the wars they have participated in, they have grown to power and learned from each war on what they should improve on further bettering the country by making more advanced aircraft.
Works Cited
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Junkers, Hugo. “The World's First All Metal Aircraft – The Junkers J1.” Hugo Junkers - Ein Leben Für Die Technik., 13 Dec. 2015, www.junkers.de/junkers-j1-the-worlds-first-all-metal-aircraft.
Lemay, Curtis. “Vietnam War Aircraft: Evolution in Flight.” History, 25 May 2017, www.historyonthenet.com/vietnam-war-aircraft.
Otto Lilienthal, www.century-of-flight.net/Aviation%20history/evolution%20of%20technology/Metal-Skinned%20Aircraft.htm.
“Summary.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 08 Nov. 2018, www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/aerospace-engineers.htm#tab-2.
“World War II Aircraft.” Telephones - Engineering and Technology History Wiki, ethw.org/World_War_II_Aircraft.
