Technological Advancement in the US Military

Since its declaration of independence from Great Britain, the United States has experienced wars of many different sorts. Each war introduced a new kind of warfare. The Revolutionary War introduced for the first time in American history, the idea of naval warfare. Ships were armed with dozens guns and carried several dozens of men. The musket, armed with its bayonet as well as the cannon proved to be worthy weaponry advancements in the infantry together with various pistols. The Civil War introduced the revolving pistol as well as the Gatling gun which enabled soldiers to produce rapid fire and destroy enemies in large quantities with a single round. New technological advancements in transportation such as the railroad, enabled large quantities of troops to travel to a given area in nearly half the amount of time. However, the turn of the twentieth introduced new technological advancements in the country as well as the military. This ignited a century of technological advancements in the military that has enabled the United States to excel in militaristic domination. The first war to use significant technological advancement was World War I. Despite the introduction of trench warfare (in which troops dug bases many feet deep into the ground and fought only on the surface), the art of battle would forever be changed. There were many different types of weaponry advancements experienced in World War I. Machine guns were built twice more powerful than in the Civil War, firing up to 600 bullets a minute which was the equivalent of 250 riflemen. Artillery experienced a massive technological progression with the building of several thousands of powerful cannons with shells filled with tiny pellets that exploded deep into the ground. Gas grenades were introduced that caused blindness and destruction of the lungs of the enemies. The invention of the telephone and radios helped troops maintain contact with the military within the trenches. For the first time in world history tanks were introduced into warfare. These armored beasts carried several men, fired thousands of bullets and hundreds of shells. These provided massive means of destruction. The Navy experienced advancements in battleships carrying up to thousands of men and an almost infinite amount of ammo. The most important advancement of the navy however was the submarine which gave the Navy the power of stealth within the ocean. Airplanes were used in warfare for the first time in history as well. Although this was a new addition to the American war machine, large Bombers and Scout planes assisted in dominance as well. As America progressed so did military advancement. By the time the United States entered World War II in the early 1940's, the military had undergone several technological advancements in many different areas of the army. The grenade was introduced, which aided the troops of the frontline in close combat as it created a small explosion able to kill small numbers of enemies in one throw. Machine guns such as the Thomson M1 or the Tommy gun fired up to 700 rounds per minute. Rifles such as the M1 Garand were one of the first gas operated semi-automatic infantry weapons used on the frontlines. Heavy machine guns were introduced that aided in powerful superiority for frontline combat such as the M1919 which fired over 500 rounds per minute and required a 250-round belt magazine and a team of two soldiers to operate. Anti-tank weapons such as the Bazooka were introduced as well. This rocket launching power weapon required both a loader and a shooter to operate it. Tanks became more powerful and destructive while armored cars and Jeeps became dominant vehicles in the aid of transportation and armor.

The US Air Force experienced major advancements in both Fighter planes as well as Bombers. The P51 Mustang was able to travel over 400 mph at the range of over 25,000 feet in the air. The US Navy experienced a major technological advancement as the Aircraft carrier was introduced carrying up to dozens of aircrafts all throughout the ocean. The invention of radar and sonar aided the military in locating enemy troops, planes, ships as well as submarines. The technological advancements in the military continued to flourish through the Vietnam War, with the addition of helicopters and new and improved fighter planes. The M16 machine gun was introduced as well and proved to be useful in its firepower of almost 1,000 rounds per minute, durability through harsh weather conditions and a light weight frame. The introduction of mines aided in sealing perimeters from enemies for night encampments while walkie-talkies enabled troops to maintain conversation-like contact while standing many yards away from one another. However, the invention of nuclear missiles changed the worlds approach to war forever. At this day in age, the advancements made in military technology are far beyond the minds of any regular person. The US military now has in its possession, nuclear missiles able to explode countries to bits and pieces. There are thousands of different bombs, explosives and missiles used such as Bunker Busters, Cruise Missiles, Smart Bombs, E-Bombs (Which destroy electricity that any given war machine depends on), Dirty Bombs, Massive Ordinance Air Bust Bombs, Sidewinder Missiles, Stinger Missiles, Patriot Missiles and C-4. The ground force is at its peak with thousands of tanks, fighting vehicles and Stryker's all equipped with rockets, machine guns, armor, navigation and periscopes with superb sight. Machine guns are made stock with a scope, and many times a grenade launcher just under the barrel. Aircraft advancements such as the jet engine, has given the US military the ability to achieve phenomenal speeds and less pilot casualties. The invention of the Stealth Bomber aided the military in bombing major areas traveling virtually undetected. The Navy has further boomed in their advancement with the creation of larger aircraft carriers able to carry more than 50 jets. Computer technology has improved with inventions such as, night vision, sound waves, navigation, robotics, which help aid soldier's scope minefields and enemy areas, as well as computer encryption code breaking and satellites. In addition, American military advancement has undergone many drastic changes over the years but has reached its prime at its current modern day accomplishments. As the years progress, just as they have in the past, so will military technology. Not more 80 years ago, the United States was just learning how to se machine guns. Not more than 60 years ago, the United States was just learning how to use tanks and artillery. Nowadays, the US military has become the leading war machine in all aspects of warfare including weapons, computer technology and biological as well as chemical warfare. God only knows what advancements are to come our way. Works Cited * www.archives.gov/research/military/navy-ships/sailing-ships.html * www.doublegv.com/ggv/battles/tactics.html * www.revision-notes.couk/revision/927.html * www.channel4.com/histroy/microsites/w/wwzweapons.html * www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/vietnam/trenches/weapons.html * www.science.howstuffworks.com/surveillance-stealth-channel

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