How would an early end to the war affect missile development?
Short answerRocket and missile adoption would probably slow because dive bombers remained useful and no long war forced immature technologies rapidly into service.
NotesDive bombers would still be useful when this alternate war ended in 1941. The later pressure to replace them with rocket-firing aircraft would therefore weaken, delaying developments that fed into missiles. Early Soviet aircraft rockets are acknowledged, but their poor performance illustrates the difference between possessing an idea and having an effective weapon ready for widespread use. Without continuing combat in 1943, operational adoption might slip into the 1950s. Wartime urgency can shorten the cautious process of implementing technologies already under development, creating the appearance of a sudden surge in invention.