Interceptor Aircraft - History

History

The first dedicated interceptor squadrons were formed up during World War I in order to defend against attacks by Zeppelins, and later against early fixed-wing long-range bombers.

Prior to the start of the Second World War technology had improved so that it appeared that the interceptor mission would be effectively impossible. The visual and acoustic detection had a short range and would not give interceptor enough time to climb to altitude before the bombers were already on their targets. This could be addressed through the use of a standing cover of aircraft, but only at enormous cost. The conclusion at the time was that "the bomber will always get through". The introduction of radar upset this equation.

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