- Examines how the war and technological development affected each other Prominent experts discuss the many important advances in aviation technology that were born in battle and are mainstays of the aviation industry today. As World War II`s combatants vied to gain a technological edge, airplane development accelerated at an astonishing rate, producing such innovations as supercharging, radar, and the jet engine. Research and development concentrated not only on weaponry and destructive power, but also on safety and improved performance, reliability, and ergonomics.