[2] Due to its many problems, primarily its inability to communicate with other radios, like its ground component the SCR-67 or the larger truck mounted SCR-108, over large distances, the SCR-68 quickly became obsolete.
Military tests by British soldiers reported the difficulty of getting the proper balance with the oscillating and control values[clarification needed].
[3] The SCR-68 range was reliable within a five-mile radius, a serious issue when the airplane needed to travel long distances.
The US Army asked private American companies to build a device that would establish better communication between military aircraft and themselves.
Western Electric[3][4] developed the SCR-68 that met qualifications: the radio was condensed to a size that could fit inside the airplane, simple for an Observer to use in flight, and the antenna would not drastically affect the movements of the aircraft.
[1][2] The GN-1 wind-powered generator[4] was located on the braces of the landing gear, to gather adequate wind power and not hinder any other parts of the aircraft.