The Limitless Sky: Air Force Science and Technology Contributions to the Nation - GPS, Precision-Guided Munitions, Radar, Space, Missiles, Rocket Planes, Lifting Bodies, Satellites, Directed Energy

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Technology, Aeronautics & Astronautics, History, Military, Aviation
Cover of the book The Limitless Sky: Air Force Science and Technology Contributions to the Nation - GPS, Precision-Guided Munitions, Radar, Space, Missiles, Rocket Planes, Lifting Bodies, Satellites, Directed Energy by Progressive Management, Progressive Management
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Progressive Management ISBN: 9781310300837
Publisher: Progressive Management Publication: July 24, 2015
Imprint: Smashwords Edition Language: English
Author: Progressive Management
ISBN: 9781310300837
Publisher: Progressive Management
Publication: July 24, 2015
Imprint: Smashwords Edition
Language: English

Professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction, this Air Force publication presents technological developments that have produced new capabilities or opened new ways for achieving objectives.

The Limitless Sky: Air Force Science and Technology Contributions to the Nation * 1. Precision Timing, Location, Navigation: GPS and the Precision Revolution * 2. Tightening the Circle: Scientific Research and the Evolution and Revolution of Precision Guided Munitions * 3. Enlisting the Spectrum for Air Force Advantage: Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) * 4. From the Air: Taking Radar to New Heights * 5. Pilots in Extreme Environments: Enforcing U.S. Foreign Policy from the Edge of Space * 6. Exploiting the High Ground: The U.S. Air Force and the Space Environment * 7. Space Flight: Long-Range Missiles, Rocket Planes, and Lifting Bodies * 8. Military Satellite Communications: From Concept to Reality * 9. Directed Energy: The Wave of the Future

The old dream of mankind to fly and reach the sky—as exemplified by Daedalus and Icarus of ancient Greek lore—became a reality on December 17,1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, and ushered in a period of unprecedented technological development. From Orville Wright's short flight a few feet off the ground, to the commercial airliners flying at 37,000feet, the limits of the sky have receded farther and farther away. In the second half of the twentieth century, powered flight extended to satellites orbiting the earth, to landings on the moon, and probes that explore our planetary system. The Hubble space telescope has been producing breathtaking pictures of distant galaxies not observable from terrestrial telescopes. The sky has become limitless.

The Air Force, from its very beginnings as the Army Air Corps, has contributed significantly to all aspects of powered flight that have not only enhanced the defense capabilities of the United States, but also produced a broad spectrum of non-military applications that have improved the quality of life throughout the world. Consequently, to celebrate the centennial of flight, a one-day symposium was held on September 17, 2003, in which the stories of some of the contributions, and of the people who made them, were told. Each paper is the result of a collaborative effort of historians, who have placed the contribution in its historical perspective; technologists, who have described the essence of the scientific or technological contribution; and Air Force senior officers, who have shared their personal experiences on how that technological development affected operations or missions.

The nine papers included in this volume were selected because of their diversity and because they illustrate clearly several key themes. First, it takes a long time from the onset of a new idea to the production of a useful product that enhances operations, something on the order of twenty years. One has to believe in the idea and stay the course, in the face of adversity, to obtain results. Consistent, steady funding is a must. Second, research results rarely lead to what was envisioned in the beginning as a relevant application. Indeed, research in atomic clocks enabled the Global Positioning System (GPS), but that was not the motivation for the research. Similarly, early research on lasers hardly anticipated the proliferation of commercial products or at-home entertainment via DVDs. Third, it usually takes a confluence of several disparate developments to produce a new capability. A vibrant, interacting scientific and engineering community is essential to achieve the breakthroughs that will continue to provide the nation with air supremacy.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction, this Air Force publication presents technological developments that have produced new capabilities or opened new ways for achieving objectives.

The Limitless Sky: Air Force Science and Technology Contributions to the Nation * 1. Precision Timing, Location, Navigation: GPS and the Precision Revolution * 2. Tightening the Circle: Scientific Research and the Evolution and Revolution of Precision Guided Munitions * 3. Enlisting the Spectrum for Air Force Advantage: Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) * 4. From the Air: Taking Radar to New Heights * 5. Pilots in Extreme Environments: Enforcing U.S. Foreign Policy from the Edge of Space * 6. Exploiting the High Ground: The U.S. Air Force and the Space Environment * 7. Space Flight: Long-Range Missiles, Rocket Planes, and Lifting Bodies * 8. Military Satellite Communications: From Concept to Reality * 9. Directed Energy: The Wave of the Future

The old dream of mankind to fly and reach the sky—as exemplified by Daedalus and Icarus of ancient Greek lore—became a reality on December 17,1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, and ushered in a period of unprecedented technological development. From Orville Wright's short flight a few feet off the ground, to the commercial airliners flying at 37,000feet, the limits of the sky have receded farther and farther away. In the second half of the twentieth century, powered flight extended to satellites orbiting the earth, to landings on the moon, and probes that explore our planetary system. The Hubble space telescope has been producing breathtaking pictures of distant galaxies not observable from terrestrial telescopes. The sky has become limitless.

The Air Force, from its very beginnings as the Army Air Corps, has contributed significantly to all aspects of powered flight that have not only enhanced the defense capabilities of the United States, but also produced a broad spectrum of non-military applications that have improved the quality of life throughout the world. Consequently, to celebrate the centennial of flight, a one-day symposium was held on September 17, 2003, in which the stories of some of the contributions, and of the people who made them, were told. Each paper is the result of a collaborative effort of historians, who have placed the contribution in its historical perspective; technologists, who have described the essence of the scientific or technological contribution; and Air Force senior officers, who have shared their personal experiences on how that technological development affected operations or missions.

The nine papers included in this volume were selected because of their diversity and because they illustrate clearly several key themes. First, it takes a long time from the onset of a new idea to the production of a useful product that enhances operations, something on the order of twenty years. One has to believe in the idea and stay the course, in the face of adversity, to obtain results. Consistent, steady funding is a must. Second, research results rarely lead to what was envisioned in the beginning as a relevant application. Indeed, research in atomic clocks enabled the Global Positioning System (GPS), but that was not the motivation for the research. Similarly, early research on lasers hardly anticipated the proliferation of commercial products or at-home entertainment via DVDs. Third, it usually takes a confluence of several disparate developments to produce a new capability. A vibrant, interacting scientific and engineering community is essential to achieve the breakthroughs that will continue to provide the nation with air supremacy.

More books from Progressive Management

Cover of the book Ideas, Concepts, Doctrine: Basic Thinking in the United States Air Force 1961-1984 - Volume Two, Air Power, Tactical Air Command, Air Mobility, Space, MOL, Manned Space Flight, Strategy by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Ambulance: National Standard Curriculum Instructor's Lesson Plans (Third Edition) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Promises of Political Dialogue: Changes in Myanmar's Ceasefire Process - President Thein Sein and the Border Guard Forces (BGF), Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) with Tatmadaw National Military by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Documents: Air Force Criminal Investigations, Technical Surveillance Countermeasures, Counterintelligence, Protective Service Matters - Special Investigations by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century NBC WMD CBRN Weapons and Terrorism: Water Security Handbook - Planning for and Responding to Drinking Water Contamination Threats and Incidents (Water Utility Planning Guide) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century FEMA Study Course: An Introduction to Hazardous Materials (IS-5.a) - Government Roles, Toxic Chemicals as WMD, Materials Safety Data Sheet, Regulations, Human Health by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century FEMA Study Course: The Role of Voluntary Agencies in Emergency Management (IS-288) - NVOAD National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Eisenhower: The Leadership Development of Dwight D. Eisenhower and George S. Patton Jr., Military Education, Mentorship, Self-Development, Determination, Ike's Years with MacArthur, Patton in Combat by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Can Russia Reform? Economic, Political and Military Perspectives: The Russian Economy and Military, the Rule of Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Manuals: Foot Marches FM 21-18 - Including Foot Care Information (Value-Added Professional Format Series) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century FEMA Study Course: Improving Preparedness and Resilience through Public-Private Partnerships (IS-662) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century Adult Cancer Sourcebook: Liver Cancer, Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) - Clinical Data for Patients, Families, and Physicians by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Military Studies of Operation Allied Force, the Kosovo Intervention: Religious and Ethnic Warfare, Targeting, Naval Forces, Air Mobility, Clausewitz, Information Operations, Aviation by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The U.S. Counterterrorism Strategy: Addressing Radical Ideologies - Study Focusing on Al-Qaeda and ISIS Islamism and Violent Extremism, Evaluation of Preemptive and Preventive Approaches by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century Understanding Cancer Toolkit: Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), Unconventional Treatments, Herbs, Vitamins, Diets, Naturopathic Medicine, Ayurvedic, Homeopathy by Progressive Management
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy