1. Post-World War II Years

2. Overview Political Developments Military Developments The Berlin Airlift Lessons Learned Aviation Research and Development Political Developments Military Developments The Berlin Airlift Lessons Learned Aviation Research and Development

3. Political Developments Results of World War II –U.S. is elevated to superpower –Concerned with world affairs Smaller nations can no longer afford to defend themselves –U.S. now vulnerable to long range bombers and ICBMs Results of World War II –U.S. is elevated to superpower –Concerned with world affairs Smaller nations can no longer afford to defend themselves –U.S. now vulnerable to long range bombers and ICBMs

4. Communism –Russia would not allow nations occupied at end of war to determine their own form of government East Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Rumania, Yugoslavia, Albania, North Korea, Northern China Chinese civil war, French Indochina –U.S. military aid to Turkey, Greece –Marshall Plan provides economic aid to rebuild Europe –North Atlantic Treaty Organization established, Apr 1949 Nemesis, Warsaw Pact, May 1955 –Russia would not allow nations occupied at end of war to determine their own form of government East Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Rumania, Yugoslavia, Albania, North Korea, Northern China Chinese civil war, French Indochina –U.S. military aid to Turkey, Greece –Marshall Plan provides economic aid to rebuild Europe –North Atlantic Treaty Organization established, Apr 1949 Nemesis, Warsaw Pact, May 1955

5. Force Reduction –The end of World War II began a new age for the United States and the military –Army reduced from 8M to 2M –Navy from 4M to 1.6M –Air Force from 2.3M to 300K, 72K to 10K –About 2M by 1950 –National Security Act of 1947 Department of Defense Civilian service secretaries, Chief of Staff Joint Chiefs of Staff Separate Air Force Force Reduction –The end of World War II began a new age for the United States and the military –Army reduced from 8M to 2M –Navy from 4M to 1.6M –Air Force from 2.3M to 300K, 72K to 10K –About 2M by 1950 –National Security Act of 1947 Department of Defense Civilian service secretaries, Chief of Staff Joint Chiefs of Staff Separate Air Force Military Developments

6. Reorganization –Strategic Air Command Nuclear deterrence Obsolete aircraft and few atomic bombs B-29, B-50, B-36 –10,000 lbs, 10,000 miles Reorganization –Strategic Air Command Nuclear deterrence Obsolete aircraft and few atomic bombs B-29, B-50, B-36 –10,000 lbs, 10,000 miles

7. Military Developments –Tactical Air Command P-80, B-45, F-84 –Air Defense Command Approved plan for major aircraft control and warning network (unfunded until 1949) Budget constraints –Tactical Air Command P-80, B-45, F-84 –Air Defense Command Approved plan for major aircraft control and warning network (unfunded until 1949) Budget constraints

8. The Berlin Airlift Causes –Soviet Union wanted buffer zone to prevent future attacks from west –June 1948, blockade of Berlin Participants –U.S. –England –France –Soviet Union Causes –Soviet Union wanted buffer zone to prevent future attacks from west –June 1948, blockade of Berlin Participants –U.S. –England –France –Soviet Union

9. The Berlin Airlift Role of Air Power –The airlift began using 110 outdated C-47 aircraft or “Gooney Birds,” 2-3 tons –3 air corridors, 20 miles wide –C-54, 10 tons each, 200 by October –May 4, 1949, Berlin airlift came to end 1.75M tons Role of Air Power –The airlift began using 110 outdated C-47 aircraft or “Gooney Birds,” 2-3 tons –3 air corridors, 20 miles wide –C-54, 10 tons each, 200 by October –May 4, 1949, Berlin airlift came to end 1.75M tons

10. Lessons Learned Importance of Airpower –Transport Aircraft More experience because of Berlin airlift in year than in 10 years C-74, 24 tons, 14 total Importance of Airpower –Transport Aircraft More experience because of Berlin airlift in year than in 10 years C-74, 24 tons, 14 total

11. Aviation Research and Development Research Centers –Speed of sound; vibrations, control reversal, aircraft destruction –Laboratory experiments then test aircraft Research Aircraft –X-1, 670 mph, 42,000 ft, increased until 1956 air launched from B-29 at 23,000 ft 700, 43,000 ft (Oct 1947) –X-2, 2,094 mph, but disintegrated in flight –X-3, inadequate engine power –X-5, variable angle wings –Speed of Sound? Research Centers –Speed of sound; vibrations, control reversal, aircraft destruction –Laboratory experiments then test aircraft Research Aircraft –X-1, 670 mph, 42,000 ft, increased until 1956 air launched from B-29 at 23,000 ft 700, 43,000 ft (Oct 1947) –X-2, 2,094 mph, but disintegrated in flight –X-3, inadequate engine power –X-5, variable angle wings –Speed of Sound?

12. Aviation Research and Development Research Centers –Speed of sound; vibrations, control reversal, aircraft destruction –Laboratory experiments then test aircraft Research Aircraft –X-1, 670 mph, 42,000 ft, increased until 1956 –X-2, 2,094 mph, but disintegrated in flight –X-3, inadequate engine power –X-5, variable angle wings –Speed of Sound? 770 mph at 70 degrees 700 mph at -20 degrees Less at colder temperatures Research Centers –Speed of sound; vibrations, control reversal, aircraft destruction –Laboratory experiments then test aircraft Research Aircraft –X-1, 670 mph, 42,000 ft, increased until 1956 –X-2, 2,094 mph, but disintegrated in flight –X-3, inadequate engine power –X-5, variable angle wings –Speed of Sound? 770 mph at 70 degrees 700 mph at -20 degrees Less at colder temperatures

13. Aviation Research and Development Medical Research –How much can human body stand? –G-suits prevent blood from pooling in legs, partial then full pressure suits –Ejection seats Medical Research –How much can human body stand? –G-suits prevent blood from pooling in legs, partial then full pressure suits –Ejection seats

14. Political Developments Military Developments The Berlin Airlift Lessons Learned Aviation Research and Development Political Developments Military Developments The Berlin Airlift Lessons Learned Aviation Research and Development Conclusion