“RADAR is an acronym for RAdio DetectionAnd Ranging . . . an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft,guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. (From WIKI)
One of my favorite quips is: “Flying under the RADAR” which has always been the best way to defeat detection for aircraft because Nap-of-the-earth flying keeps the plane below the RADAR thereby enabling the tactical advantage of SURPRISE!
Leading to an oft heard (and welcome) quote from the competition: “We didn’t see THAT coming!”
This is an invaluable concept in all competitive environments. Many folks talk loosely about “Innovation” and “Creativity” and “Cutting or Bleeding edge” when it comes to being NUMBER 1 . . . Thinking outside the box is famously the “cause” of a lot of successes past and present.
What’s fascinating to me are those folks who suddenly appear from “out of nowhere” with stratospheric success. Sure! They might be Master Innovators, but I think what their REAL talent had to do with Nap-of-the-earth flying . . . under the RADAR.
These folks often appear to be overnight success stories and receive high Kudos for their brilliant ideas, and only THEY know the full extent of the years of their treacherously low flight through dangerous terrain always a mere split second from disaster.
There’s something else we can learn from RADAR.
M*A*S*H’s Corporal “Radar” O’Reilly
seemed to have extra-sensory perception, appearing at his commander’s side before being called and finishing his sentences. He also has exceptionally good hearing, able to hear incoming helicopters before anyone else. It was these abilities that earned him the nickname “Radar.”
The goal of the RADAR operator is to “SEE IT COMING!” In combat, this is one of the most important components to avoid being surprised by the enemy.
The RADAR operator (Like Corporal O’Reilly) must develop a sixth sense . . . a heightened intuitive awareness to be able to read into the blips and dots of data that appear on the RADAR screen.
So
Fly under the RADAR
Develop a sixth sense of awareness
and you get to do in life what we trained to do every day in the Army:
SHOCK and AWE the competition.
Are you in tune with your RADAR skills?
Hope you have a great week.
Best,
b