Research and Development in the United States Air Force 520235
IN this paper Maj. -Gen. Putt presents the four major limitations today facing the United States Air Force. As mechanical limitations decrease, nature imposes ever new challenges; these natural barriers are paralleled by increased enemy interference, need for the development of new material, more efficient utilization of all resources, and the demand for automatic reliability which will compensate for the inadequacies of the human mind and body in combat flight operations.
This factor of human frailty is cited as being responsible for explorations in the new and vast field of space medicine; also for the miniaturization of electronic equipment, leading to weight reduction and the resultant acceleration of development of pilotless aircraft.
The writer stresses the dangers inherent in traditionalism, or the turning to the past at the expense of the dynamic future.
