FIVE THINGS THE AIR FORCE INVENTED

When the US Air Force was born out of the Army Air Corps just after World War II, the country was experiencing tremendous advances in science, medicine and military technology. In honour of its 70th anniversary, SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE HEATHER WILSON shares five noteworthy technologies, developed to enable and protect servicemen and women, that now improve the lives of civilians. 1. The satellite constellation behind the Global Positioning System, which the US Air Force manages, enables everything from synchronised bank transactions to smartphones. Commercial airliners cruising at 36 000 feet would be inconceivable without pressurised airplane cabins, which debuted with the XC-35 in 1937 at Wright Field in Ohio. Drones – we call them remotely piloted aircraft – have fundamentally changed warfare, providing “eyes in the sky” over hostile territory, 24/7. Now they aid civilian efforts in mapping, agriculture and disaster recovery. 4. Research into advanced composites that made aircraft stronger and lighter began during World War I at Mccook Field in Ohio. Today materials such as carbon-fibre-reinforced polymers and ceramic composites have found their way into commercial airliners and earthbound equipment such as car chassis, bicycles and tennis rackets. The Air Force introduced the first fly-by-wire fighter, the F-16, in 1978. The same technology that gave that jet its unprecedented manoeuvrability has improved the reliability, performance and safety of commercial airliners and drive-bywire cars.