What technological advancement greatly improved air combat during the Cold War?

Stealth technology represents a significant advancement that greatly improved air combat during the Cold War. The development of aircraft that could evade radar detection transformed military strategy and combat effectiveness. This technology allowed for the design of planes with shapes and materials that minimized their radar cross-section, making them difficult for enemy radar to detect and track. This capability provided a tactical advantage, enabling these aircraft to engage in missions with a higher likelihood of success by avoiding interception.

Other advancements, although notable, did not have the same immediate impact on air-to-air and air-to-ground combat tactics during the Cold War. Drone technology evolved quite a bit after the Cold War and primarily had implications for surveillance and reconnaissance rather than direct combat scenarios during that period. Ballistic missile technology, while critical for strategic deterrence and intercontinental strikes, is fundamentally different from air combat as it involves ground or sea-launched missiles. Commercial aviation advancements contributed to the development of more efficient aircraft but did not directly enhance military capabilities in air combat contexts akin to what stealth technology achieved.