Editing Military technology (section)

==Postmodern technology==
The postmodern stage of military technology emerged in the 1940s, and one with recognition thanks to the high priority given during the war to scientific and engineering research and development regarding nuclear weapons, radar, jet engines, proximity fuses, advanced submarines, aircraft carriers, and other weapons. The high-priority continues into the 21st century.<ref>Harry Bondy, "Postmodernism and the source of military strength in the Anglo West." ''Armed Forces & Society'' 31#1 (2004): 31–61.</ref> It involves the military application of advanced scientific research regarding nuclear weapons, jet engines, ballistic and guided missiles, radar, biological warfare, and the use of electronics, computers and software.<ref>Richard S. Friedman and Bill Gunston, ''Advanced Technology Warfare: A Detailed Study of the Latest Weapons and Techniques for Warfare Today and into the 21st Century'' (1985)</ref><ref>Everett Mendelsohn, Merritt Roe Smith, and Peter Weingart, eds. ''Science, technology and the military'' (Springer Science & Business Media, 2013).</ref>

===Space===
{{Further|Militarisation of space|Space warfare|Space weapon}}
During the Cold War, the world's two great superpowers – the [[Soviet Union]] and the United States of America – spent large proportions of their GDP on developing military technologies.  The drive to place objects in orbit stimulated space research and started the [[Space Race]].  In 1957, the USSR launched the first [[artificial satellite]], ''[[Sputnik 1]]''.

By the end of the 1960s, both countries regularly deployed satellites. [[Spy satellite]]s were used by militaries to take accurate pictures of their rivals' military installations.  As time passed the resolution and accuracy of orbital reconnaissance alarmed both sides of the [[Iron Curtain]].  Both the United States and the Soviet Union began to develop [[anti-satellite weapon]]s to blind or destroy each other's satellites.  [[Laser]] weapons, [[kamikaze]] style satellites, as well as orbital cannons
 were researched with varying levels of success.  Spy satellites were, and continue to be, used to monitor the dismantling of military assets in accordance with arms control treaties signed between the two superpowers. To use spy satellites in such a manner is often referred to in treaties as "national technical means of verification".

The superpowers developed [[ballistic missile]]s to enable them to use [[nuclear weapon]]ry across great distances. As rocket science developed, the range of missiles increased and [[intercontinental ballistic missile]]s (ICBM) were created, which could strike virtually any target on Earth in a timeframe measured in minutes rather than hours or days.  To cover large distances ballistic missiles are usually launched into [[sub-orbital spaceflight]].
[[Image:Peacekeeper-missile-testing.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Test of the [[LG-118A Peacekeeper]] missile, each one of which could carry 10 independently targeted [[nuclear warhead]]s along trajectories outside of the [[Earth's atmosphere]].]]

As soon as intercontinental missiles were developed, military planners began programmes and strategies to counter their effectiveness.

===Mobilization===
{{See also|Military logistics|Airlift|Sealift}}
A significant portion of military technology is about transportation, allowing troops and weaponry to be moved from their origins to the front. Land transport has historically been mainly by foot, land vehicles have usually been used as well, from chariots to tanks.

When conducting a battle over a body of water, ships are used. There are historically two main categories of ships: those for transporting troops, and those for attacking other ships.

Soon after the invention of aeroplanes, military aviation became a significant component of warfare, though usually as a supplementary role. The two main types of military aircraft are bombers, which attack land- or sea-based targets, and fighters, which attack other aircraft.

'''[[Military vehicle]]s''' are land combat or transportation vehicles, excluding rail-based, which are designed for or in significant use by military forces.
*[[List of military vehicles]]
*[[List of armoured fighting vehicles]]
*[[List of tanks]]

'''[[Military aircraft]]''' includes any use of aircraft by a country's military, including such areas as transport, training, disaster relief, border patrol, search and rescue, surveillance, surveying, peacekeeping, and (very rarely) aerial warfare.
*[[List of aircraft]]
*[[List of aircraft weapons]]

'''[[Warship]]s''' are watercraft for combat and transportation in and on seas and oceans.
* [[Submarine]]s
* Complex [[Rigging|masting and sail systems]] found on warships during the [[Age of Sail]]
*[[Ship#Types of ships|List of historical ship and boat types]]
*[[List of aircraft carriers]]
*[[List of submarine classes]]

===Defence===
{{Main|Fortification}}
'''Fortifications''' are military constructions and buildings designed for defence in warfare. They range in size and age from the Great Wall of China to a Sangar.
*[[List of fortifications]]
*[[List of forts]]
{{Further|topic=the patented portable armored wall system|McCurdy's Armor}}

===Sensors and communication===
{{See also|Network-centric warfare|Global Information Grid}}
Sensors and communication systems are used to detect enemies, coordinate movements of armed forces and guide weaponry. Early systems included flag signaling, telegraph and heliographs.

*[[Laser guidance]]
*[[Missile guidance]]
*[[Norden Bombsight]]
*[[Proximity fuse]]
*[[Radar]]
*[[Satellite guidance]] in guidance weapons