After the conclusion of World War II, the military industrial complex truly began to produce some simply amazing technological breakthroughs. As countries around the globe were engaged in a competition to produce the best technologies the fastest we began to see the inventions of man-portable missiles, spy satellites, and a plethora of other gadgets that are still used in today’s combat operations.
Critically examining the inventions and uses of these technologies helps to gauge the level of technological advancement in modern warfare. These often impersonal devices can bring about changed feelings towards war on the global stage. The issues of sovereignty and civilian casualties are at the forefront of such discussions, and should be considered when examining the following technologies.
Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) – Coming to prominence shortly after World War II, the RPG is a shoulder-fired anti-tank weapon, firing rockets equipped with an explosive warhead. While the accuracy will only remain intact within a few hundred feet of firing, it is easily portable while still maintaining the same explosive force as a stick of dynamite upon impact.
Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) – The terminology of this weapon was first used  the 1970’s, when British forces were dealing with the Irish Republic Army insurgency, and their use of fertilizer and semtex to create improvised yet highly effective surprise traps for their foes. The use of IED’s in modern warfare shows the truly indiscriminate nature of battle-field technology in the 21st century. These devices can and do harm not only to military personnel, but to innocent civilians who make the fatal flaw of walking or driving over such devices.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) – Functioned by a remote controlled navigator often far away from the battle field, UAV’s saw their official indoctrination to the United states military in the early 1970’s. Highly useful in a hazardous territory, a UAV can be used by its controllers to conduct reconnaissance, to provide logistical support, to target enemies, and much more. While many UAV’s are simply used as an “eye in the sky”, there are other uses as well used specifically for combat.
Reconnaissance Satellite – With early development dating back to the 1950’s, the United States and Russia initially began trying to garner this technology in their great ‘space race’. This technological competition was exemplified the quest for global hegemony.
In modern warfare, this technology provides never before access to high resolution photographs (IMINT), communications eavesdropping (SIGINT), as well as the ability to detect the launch of any missiles. This technology is popularly referred to as “spy satellites.”
The topic of civil rights and the usefulness of SIGINT remains an issue of high contention around the globe, with ardent proponents citing the need to eavesdrop on others to prevent potential terrorist plots, as well as those who believe this is a flagrant violation of individual rights that has taken “the desire to protect” a step too far.
 http://www.globalization101.org/modern-warfare/