Volume 4: Higher, faster, further – slower

During the Nazi era, research conducted by DLR's predecessor organisations was closely tied to military and defence policy objectives. This is demonstrated by the findings of this study. Research areas such as the development of the swept wing for high-speed aircraft, work on jet engines and investigations into rotary-wing technology clearly show that scientific research was closely associated with industrial collaborations and military requirements. The institutions also carried out research into applications with a distinctly military focus, such as the development of nitrous oxide injection ('GM 1') to boost aircraft engine performance during high-altitude flight, or acoustic location techniques. Many of these projects were in direct response to the specific demands of aerial warfare and were often carried out in close cooperation with industrial companies and military authorities. In addition to basic research, DLR's predecessor institutions were involved in various ways in the development and testing of new technologies for aerial warfare.