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Surveillance Technology And The Cold War

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Zach Bemben
Literature of War
Mrs. Rozema
11/6/17
Surveillance Technology and the Cold War
Introduction and Thesis
Hook: “In 1945, one major war ended and another began.”(Ushistory.org)
Thesis: In the Cold War through the creation and improvement of surveillance technology such as satellite surveillance, nuclear submarines, and surveillance aircraft to give superior intelligence while being totally undetected or invulnerable from the enemy.
Background paragraph
“There were no direct military campaigns between the two main antagonists (in the cold war), the United States and the Soviet Union. Yet billions of dollars and millions of lives were lost in the fight.”(Ushistory.org)
Previous spying techniques included flying B-52 bombers over …show more content…

The top speed for the A-12 was mach 3.35 @85,000 ft. In addition, because of its tremendus speeds, it could reach a maximum operational ceiling of up to 95,000 ft blowing the U2 out of the park. It had an unrefueled range of 2500 mi and maximum sensor payload of 2500 lbs.
A-12 vs SR-71
The SR-71 was later developed with slightly less aggressive stats than the A-12 however it gave an additional 1000 lbs of sensor payload and an increase of 750 mi of unrefueled range making it a more practical choice in most situations. (Barnes)
Nuclear submarines helped to aid in the “cold” aspect of the war
Definition of a “cold war”
“intense economic, political, military, and ideological rivalry between nations, short of military conflict; sustained hostile political policies and an atmosphere of strain between opposed countries”(Dictionary.com)
Gave the ability to not rely on land based ICBMs but a much more mobile and undetectable source.
“Submarine design was revolutionized between 1945 and 1960. Far-reaching changes in hull design, electronic sensors, power plants, and weapons transformed the World War II submarine, a surface craft that could submerge briefly underwater, into the Cold War submarine, a fast, long-range underwater boat that rarely needed to surface at all.”(Boyne)
“The threat of nuclear annihilation restrained

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