Page 410 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

408 KEY DEVELOPMENT KEY ATTACK

GE 1945–PRESENT THE CONTEMPORARY ERA ATTACKS AMERICA
AL-QAEDA

SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
The assault by al-Qaeda on the
The most significant developments in recent military technology have
US homeland in 2001 exposed the
been driven not by increased firepower, but by the integration of electronics
inherent vulnerability of an open
society to attack. The terrorists,
and computers into weapons systems; many modern conflicts bear witness
armed only with knives, were able to
two of them into the World Trade
Center, and one into the Pentagon.
The first steps toward precision-guided (“smart”)
Aerial Vehicle (UAV), is one such example.
A to the advantage these technologies can provide. hijack four civilian airliners, crashing
weapons date back to the final stages of World
This remote-controlled aircraft can fly over
THE NUCLEAR that these devices truly transformed the military reconnaissance, or even to conduct strike
War II, but it was not until the late 20th century
hostile territory to provide detailed photographic
environment. The combination of vast leaps in
missions, without the risk of a pilot being
killed or captured.
computer power with the miniaturization of
electronics over recent decades has led to the
SOUND AND VISION
development of projectiles with their own
guidance systems, enabling exceptional accuracy
over long ranges. This process has extended from
vastly over recent years. The “fog of war”—which
prevented a general from knowing what was going
the radar and heat-seeking guidance systems that Battlefield communications have improved
are now commonplace in missiles, to some artillery on in battle—is mostly a thing of the past, with
shells, ground-launched rockets, and even man- individual radios allowing officers and troops
▲ The second aircraft crashes
portable projectile weapons. to communicate directly. Global Positioning into the World Trade Center;
Modern military aircraft are fitted with a Satellites (GPS) enable a commander back at 2,977 civilians died in the attacks
huge array of electronics to improve missile base to maintain close control over patrols or that day.
accuracy and acquire targets alongside devices armored vehicles, with constant, real-time
that help counter anti-aircraft weapons. Remote- updates on their position and battlefield capability. ▼ AFGHANISTAN
control guidance has been extended to the For the troops on the frontline, laser range-finders A US Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter
provides aerial security in Khost
weapons themselves: the “drone,” or Unmanned improve the accuracy of weapons, and nightfall no Province, Afghanistan, in early 2012.