Canadian Military Technology
The Second World War was a conflict that saw a great deal of scientific and technical innovation. The war was a battle of scientific minds as well as bullets and bombs. The wartime research programs came up with many important developments to help give the Allies an advantage in the struggle. Much of the research found civilian uses after the war and has helped shape today's modern world.
One of Canada's greatest invention was radar development that was made during the early years of the war. Canadian scientists developed the Plan Position Indicator that are still in use today. Canada had many skilled scientists that provided 9,000 radar sets to the Allies. Extensive research on magnetism was conducted to learn how to degauss (to remove unwanted magnetism) the hulls of ships to protect them from mines and to detect submerged submarines.
|
|
The Canadian Anti-Acoustic Torpedo (CAT) gear was developed as a countermeasure to enemy acoustic torpedoes. this invention saved many ships from torpedo attacks
The first product of artificial fur arose out of Canadian work in developing improved Arctic clothing for the military. Canadian industries built parts for huge bombers and fighter aircrafts like the Wasp(3), Mosquito(4) and the Hawker Hurricane(1,2). Their fuselages (main body of the aircraft) was constructed of wood cut from British Colombia’s vast forests. They created 16,500 aircrafts, of which approximately 80% were shipped to Britain for the war. Canadian ship production was greatly increased during the war. The first 10,000-ton merchant ships that were made took about 307 days to build each. By the end of the war one ship could be built in a record of 112 days. Aiming systems were developed for artillery and anti-submarine mortars and carried out research on high velocity projectiles and their fuses. As well, they developed an anti-roll stabilizer for an anti-submarine weapon. Nuclear energy research initiated in Montreal led to the development of the Chalk River atomic energy facilities and the eventual development of the CANDU nuclear power generator by the Atomic Energy Commission. Ionospheric sounding stations, installed during the war to help predict optimum frequencies for long distance communications and for direction finding against enemy submarines. The National Research Council pioneered the use of nylon for parachutes. Electro-thermal de-icers for aircraft propellers were developed by Canadian scientists that are still used today. |
Citation
Raney, R. "Radar." The Canadian Encyclopedia. N.p., 2002. Web. 9 May 2018.
"Science And Technology In The Second World War - Historical Sheet - Second World War - History - Veterans Affairs Canada." Veterans.gc.ca. N.p., 2018. Web. 9 May 2018.
"Science And Technology In The Second World War - Historical Sheet - Second World War - History - Veterans Affairs Canada." Veterans.gc.ca. N.p., 2018. Web. 9 May 2018.