Military technologies, which are traditionally associated with defense and combat capabilities, play a key role not only on the battlefield, but also in shaping modern society. Their impact goes far beyond military needs, contributing to technological advances used in fields such as transportation, communications and medicine.[1]

Solutions originally developed for the military, thanks to significant investment in research and development, are increasingly finding their way into everyday life. Dual-use technologies, such as satellite navigation systems and unmanned aerial vehicles, are revolutionizing many civilian areas, supporting the development of societies and their infrastructure.[2] An example of the use of military innovations in everyday life is the Global Positioning System (GPS). Developed in the 1970s by the U.S. Department of Defense as a navigation tool for the military, GPS was initially used for precise positioning during military operations.[3] As technology developed, its functionality was adapted to a wide range of civilian applications. The technology has revolutionized transportation and logistics management, enabling real-time vehicle tracking and route optimization based on traffic and weather data. As a result, companies have been able to significantly increase operational efficiency while reducing costs and delivery times.

Originally developed for the military, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) laser technology quickly found application in the civilian sector. LiDAR was initially used for battlefield mapping and the detection of hidden objects, such as land mines and enemy vehicles.[4] In the civilian sector, it has found applications in archaeology, where it enables the discovery of hidden structures without excavation, and in agriculture, supporting crop condition monitoring and soil analysis.[5] LiDAR is also crucial in urban planning, where it allows the creation of 3D models of cities, and in autonomous vehicles, providing navigation and obstacle detection, increasing safety and precision of movement.[6]

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are another military technology that has found its way into the civilian sector. Drones were originally developed in the mid-20th century as tools for reconnaissance and intelligence missions, and were used by the military to monitor enemy activities, eliminating risk to operational personnel. Over time, their use expanded to include combat, logistics and rescue operations, making them a component of modern armed forces.[7]

The transition of drones to the civilian sector has brought many innovative solutions. In agriculture, they are being used to monitor crops, analyze soil conditions and spray fields with precision, significantly improving the efficiency of agricultural production.[8] In the construction and surveying industries, drones are revolutionizing surveying processes, enabling rapid creation of orthophotos and inspection of hard-to-reach structures. Drones have also gained popularity in logistics, where companies are testing their use in short-distance deliveries, especially in hard-to-reach areas.[9]

In the context of drone applications in agriculture and archaeology, it is worth mentioning a project implemented by Alioth Group in cooperation with TUATARA and Warsaw University of Technology. The goal of this project is to create an advanced tool based on artificial intelligence to analyze images from drones, satellites and aircraft. The technology will find applications in crop condition monitoring, yield forecasting and automatic detection of archaeological features in aerial photos.

When discussing the civilian use of military investments, it is also worth discussing the example of helmets equipped with heads-up display (HUD, Head-Up Display) systems. They were initially developed for the needs of fighter pilots, such as the F-35, and allowed them to display key flight data without having to take their eyes off their surroundings, significantly increasing the safety and efficiency of combat missions.[10] The technology has found its way into civil aviation, where it helps pilots monitor vital flight parameters.[11] Nowadays, HUD systems have also been adapted in automobiles. In cars from brands such as BMW and Audi, head-up displays show drivers speed data, navigation directions or hazard warnings directly on the windshield.

The electronic flight control system, known as fly-by-wire, is another example of military technology that has found widespread use in civil aviation. Originally developed for fighter jets such as the F-16, the system replaced the traditional mechanical connections between rudders and control surfaces, using electrical signals to transmit pilot commands. This solution allowed for a significant improvement in control precision and reliability, which was crucial in dynamic combat conditions.[12]

The introduction of fly-by-wire technology into civil aviation, including on Airbus A320 passenger aircraft, has significantly raised the level of flight safety. The system enables precise control of the machine and introduces flight envelope protection, preventing maneuvers that exceed permissible parameters. In addition, by eliminating complex control mechanisms, the technology has reduced the weight of aircraft, which has contributed to increased operational efficiency and lower operating costs.[13]

Military investments are the foundation of technological advances, which directly influence the development of civilian innovations. Technologies such as GPS, drones, LiDAR and HUD show how advanced solutions originally developed for military purposes are finding application in everyday life, improving safety, efficiency and quality of life.

Tekst powstał w ramach realizacji zadania publicznego zleconego w ramach Rządowego Programu Rozwoju Organizacji Obywatelskich na lata 2018–2030 r. „Bezpieczna Polska jutra – rozwój działań misyjnych Alioth Foundation”.

Bibliography

[1] Tech.wp.pl „Wojskowe technologie, których używamy na co dzień” [online].

[2] Totalmilitaryinsight.com “Advances in Military Technology and Their Civilian Impact” [online].

[3] Nasa.gov “Global Positioning System History” [online].

[4]  M. Ball, Defenseadvancement.com “Military LiDAR Solutions” [online].

[5]  R. Ingle, Azosensors.com “iDAR Solutions for Archaeological Excavations and Analysis” [online].

[6] gisgeography.com “15 LiDAR Uses and Applications” [online].

[7] European Parliament  “Civil and Military Drones”, s. 4  [online].

[8] R. J. Gross, Propel RC “Complete Evolution & History of Drones” [online].

[9] European Parliament  “Civil and Military Drones”, s. 6 [online].

[10] Collinsaerospace.com “F-35 Gen III Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS)” [online].

[11] Collinsaerospace.com “Head-up Display (HUD)” [online].

[12]  Ł. Michalik, Tech.wp.pl „F‑16, obrońca wolnego świata. 50 lat ikony lotnictwa” [online].

[13] Airbus.com „Safety innovation #1: Fly-by-wire (FBW)” [online].