Many people utilize military tech in the modern world and don’t even know it. When you examine today’s advanced tech, services, and options, you may find that what’s today a relaxing way to lower your workload or improve efficiency, was once envisioned as a weapon of war. Military tech is everywhere. Here are 5 military technologies in use in the modern world that would be hard to imagine living without.
Military tech comes in many forms. While most people may think of a tank rolling over trenches, a stealth fighter buzzing overhead, or high-powered satellites orbiting the Earth, the reality is that many of the everyday technologies that you use originated on the battlefield or under top-secret directions.
War is a horrible thing that tears people apart. It also drives innovation to new heights as the cost of losing is often complete obliteration. Given these high stakes, it’s no surprise to learn that humanity has pushed its imagination to the edge during these troubling times, resulting in world-changing tech.
The Microwave
If you’re like most Americans, you probably have a microwave sitting in your kitchen. These helpful devices transmit waves in the microwave spectrum which excite water molecules causing heat to be released. All of this happens in seconds, while your food appears to be simply sitting or rotating slowly within the unit.
The technology behind this device is called a magnetron and it has a long interesting history as a military tech. The cavity magnetron is a high-power vacuum tube that utilizes the shape and momentum of magnetic and electrical fields to create microwaves. Notably, microwaves are simply electromagnetic radiation like radio waves. However, they are much shorter than radio waves, hence the name, microwaves.
Microwave Tower
This invention was a critical component of the Allied victory in WW2. During the night raids by Nazi Germany on Britain, the British needed to create a way to gain early warning and locate German bombers. They invented radar but the long-wave versions of this technology weren’t adequate at the task compared to their shorter counterparts.
Microwaves provided more detailed images of smaller craft, improving Britain’s defense considerably and allowing RAF fighters to hone in on German bombers, revealing their locations, speed, heading, and size.
History of Microwave Ovens
The discovery that microwaves could cook food was a sheer coincidence. At the time, an engineer named Percy Spencer was working closely with the US weapons firm Raytheon to improve radar systems. He noticed that the chocolate bar in his pocket continued to become soft when he worked in these waves.
This discovery prompted Spencer to explore other foods, leading him to bring some popcorn kernels which pooped under the radiation. He then tried an egg, which didn’t go as planned. The egg exploded due to the internal temperature building up quickly. The microwave oven was born, but it still had a long way to go before it was ready for your kitchen.
The first microwave ovens were kind of like the first computers, massive and clunky items that required way too much to be practical. The first microwave was 7 ft tall and weighed 700 pounds. It was like having an elephant in your kitchen, which seems hilarious when you look at today’s tiny units scattered everywhere.
Interestingly, while the first commercial microwave ovens became publicly available in the 1940s, it wasn’t until the 1970s that their popularity exploded. US consumers could purchase the unit from JCPenney at the time. It featured a cockpit-like top-hinged door that had a raised glass viewing area.
Future of Microwaves – Military Tech
Microwave technology is still being explored by militaries and governments around the globe. Just recently, Austrian scientists demonstrated how microwaves could break down silicon solar cells for recycling. Another exciting development is that Penn State engineers are working on a way to use microwaves to smelt metal on the moon.
Of course, the US military continues to explore how to use these waves as a weapon. Engineers have created anti-crowd devices that create internal heat within enemies. They have also explored the technology to melt drones out of the sky. Maybe one day, this tech will allow you to target and heat your burrito while it sits on the shelf.
Internet
The internet is next up on the list of military tech that you use today. The internet, which many would argue is one of the greatest inventions in recent times, has changed the way humans interact forever. This technology originally began as a concept described by MIT alumni J.C.R. Licklider in August 1962 via a paper titled the “Galactic Network” concept.
Today, the internet connects nearly every facet of life. From ensuring your finances are on point to enabling you to order and track your goods, the internet is life. However, this massive global network started as a very humble project.
In the 1960s computers were still very large and the most advanced ones required an entire room. These purpose-built devices began to become very popular in colleges and research facilities. However, they weren’t portable, meaning that to use the device, you would physically need to go to their location.
Too Much Travel
Imagine having to get up and drive to a location to use your phone; it’s not practical at all. Researchers needed a way to access these specific machines without always having to travel. The solution was simple yet effective: connect the computers using a cable.
This first iteration of the internet was called the ARPANET. It was only a shadow of today’s giant networks that had 4 nodes connecting UCLA to SRI in California. From there, the military got interested in expanding the concept and began enlarging its communication capabilities. The expanding networks resulted in incompatibility, leading to the creation of the now well-known Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), ensuring interoperability.
In 1991, the internet went public, altering the course of humanity and making it much easier for you to learn, entertain, communicate, and share. Much of society is built on this military tech that continues to reshape the course of human evolution.
GPS Satellites – Military Tech
It’s easy to take for granted how hard it is to get lost today. Before the invention of Global Positioning Satellites, you needed a map and some skills to get around. This situation was like this for centuries until the 1950s when Navy experts began thinking up a satellite submarine tracking system to monitor the Soviets.
By 1978, the NAVSTAR satellite had been put in orbit. This successful launch was followed by 11 test satellites that would eventually make up the first GPS network. GPS satellites work by triangulating your position versus other satellites. The technology enables precise mapping and tracking anywhere on the planet.
This capability was at first only available to the military and was used for targeting and reconnaissance. However, following a tragic plane crash in 1983, the US military approved access to the network for commercial airliners. Only a few years later, they began accepting public contracts.
First Handheld GPS
By 1989, the first handheld GPS units were entering the commercial sector. These devices could be mounted to your windshield and provide real-time data about the driver’s location. In 1998, the government officially launched more satellites to support the commercial shipping and airline sectors.
GPS Guidance
It was in 1999 that mobile phones began to see GPS integration. The first cellular and GPS-capable devices revolutionized the market, setting the pace for what is a must-have feature for most phone owners nowadays. Notably, in 2018, the US launched its Gen III GPS satellites, providing improved accuracy and sustainability.
Future of GPS
The future of GPS technology is bright. However, there are many competitors. Countries like Russia and China have launched their respective positioning satellites, eliminating the need to rely on adversaries’ tech. As such, it’s easy to see that GPS has come a long way from being mounted on an aircraft or battleship to being strapped to your wrist as an App that you can check with a simple voice prompt.
Drones (UAVs)
Drones are one of the most recognizable war technologies that continue to reshape daily lives. The concept of using drones in warfare isn’t anything new. Most people are surprised to learn that the UK and the US had already been using radio-controlled targeting aircraft as far back as 1917. These early versions could be piloted by a ground crew and were primarily used to train new anti-aircraft gunners how to shoot down approaching enemies.
In Vietnam, the use of drones evolved further. The introduction of better camera equipment led to the creation of reconnaissance drones. These unmanned devices could penetrate deep within the enemy fortifications, take images of their positions and actions, and exit without putting human pilots at risk.
During the Vietnam War, reconnaissance drones took on many forms including rocket-powered plane-launched devices that would then fly across the enemy lines to a safe destination and deploy a parachute, fall, and await pickup. In the Gulf War, drones took on another level of lethality.
Drone Strikes
The introduction of attack-capable drones like the Reaper MQ-9 changed warfare forever. This unit was among the first drones that could be controlled from across the globe and was capable of delivering deadly payloads accurately. MQ-9 reapers and other drones revolutionized warfare during this conflict, demonstrating how these devices could turn the tides of battle while providing impressive force enhancement capabilities.
Navy Spy Drone
Ukraine Drones – Military Tech
The Ukraine-Russia conflict further expanded the concept of drone warfare. This hi-tech war front has seen the shift of focus away from large multi-million dollar drones towards arming and creating low-cost, cost-effective personal drones.
These devices originated as commercially available drones designed for photography. They were quickly transformed into reconnaissance and weapons systems. Unlike the Reaper, these low-cost devices could be purchased, fielded, and modified by regular soldiers. For the first time, soldiers could deploy their own close air support.
Drones in the Commercial Sector
The use of drones has exploded over the last decade across nearly every industry. These devices are in use today monitoring safety, providing security, and offering unique services and products. The drone market is a multi-billion dollar industry that continues to see growing adoption.
Some drones deliver food, mail, messages, and more. These devices have taken on all types, shapes, and sizes, enabling them to conduct a massive array of activities across all industries. From tiny drones that can clear rooms, to bendable ones that are designed to traverse natural disasters, drones are a technology that will only become more valuable to your daily life moving forward. Notably, the global drone market is predicted to hit $223.66 billion by 2034.
Digital cameras
Digital Cameras are another military technology that has evolved to become a part of daily lives. Military economics has always sought out ways to improve efficiency and capabilities. In the past, film cameras were used but they were heavy, require delicate handling, and left a lot of evidence behind.
Notably, the concept of a digital camera emerged way back in 1951. This moment represents the first time digital signals from a camera were recorded on magnetic tape. This invention was followed by a NASA engineer named Eugene F. Lally’s mosaic photo sensor, designed to help capture images of stars and planets.
First Digital Images
By 1957, an inventor named Russell Kirsch introduced the first digital images using a computer rather than film directly. This invention sparked the interest of the US military, which needed a lighter method of espionage. They had been using film cameras, which would take up massive space and require storage for the film before and after use.
The digital photography tech was then introduced to the KH-11 spy satellite. This was the first electronic imaging satellite. Its launch by the US military was seen by many as a major step towards balancing out the power with the Soviet Union which had already launched Sputnik years prior.
Kodak took the concept further in 1975 when it launched the first self-contained digital camera system. The system used the new Fairchild CCD image sensor chip. A decade later, the first commercially available digital cameras hit the market.
Today, you probably have +3 digital cameras on your smartphone. These devices are crucial components of daily life. From its humble beginnings, the digital camera has gone from a spy tool to the best way to let your friends know how tasty your lunch looks via social media.
5 Military Tech in Use Today
When you look at this list, it’s important to note that many of these technologies were created in life-and-death scenarios. These high stakes led researchers to think outside of the box, leading to breakthroughs. What’s the next military technology you think will reshape humanity?
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