Activation of new aaa units - Air Defense Artillery

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18 THE COAST ARTILLERY JOURNAL July-August is greater than the exhaust velocity of the motor. Since present motors have exhaust velocities above 5500 ft./ second, maximum efficiency is approached when the flight velocity is in excess of 3700 miles per hour. The rocket motor is therefore given primary consideration for propelling missiles which require high operating speeds both within and outside the earth's atmosphere. (2) Warhead. The design of warheads for antiaircraft missiles is still in the research stage and consequently a discussion of specific types is limited by security restrictions. However, a few general comments on this component will indicate the problems involved. The first problem is concerned with the weight of warhead that can be carried. At present, the ratio of \varhead weight to total missile weight is rather low. Hovvever, it should be realized that the immediate problem to be solved is the development of a missile than can be accurately guided and controlled with sufficient accuracy to intercept the target. When this has been accomplished, emphasis then can be placed on reducing the weight of the missile structure, control equipment, and other components so that a larger warhead can be carried. Considerable improvement has already been made over the V-2 in this respect since the \'\'arhead of the V-2 was approximately only 6l/2% of the total missile weight. A second problem is determining the optimum time of burst. Since the warhead is limited in size and the target is small, it is essential that the warhead be exploded at such time as to give the maximum probability of kill. These factors dictate that the detonation of the warhead be determined automatically bv some device either in the missile or in the ground cont;ol ~quipment. Last of all, warhead design must keep pace with aircraft development, and warheads being designed today must estimate the vulnerabilitv of aircraft which will be in existence in the future. ' (3) Internal Control Equipment. The amount and complexity of the internal missile control equipment required are dependent primarily on the type of the ground guidance system employed. Ho\vever, some components are ordinarily common to all types of missiles or controlled research test vehicles and these will be mentioned briefly. One component is a radio receiver which is necessary in order that the missile may intercept the control signals being transmitted from the ground. Connected to the radio receiver will be one or more amplifier networks for boosting the received signal up to the required strength. This amplified signal \,"ill then be used to operate a serm system which in turn will position the external control fins or surfaces. An internal power supply will also be necessary to operate the electrical equipment. In addition, some missiles \,"ill require a radio beacon to transmit signals back to the ground radar equipment in order that the missile can be picked up in space after launching and tracked accurately out to extreme range. These components must be carried aloft in the missile and therefore must be designed to operate efficiently through wide variations in temperature and pressure and under high accelerations as the missile ascends into the upper atmosphere. d. Ground Control Equipment . Two types of control systems could possibly be used for the antiaircraft application. One is designated the Beam Rider and incorporates the control components inside the missile so as to follow the beam of a target tracking radar. The other is known as the Command System and utilizes control equipment on the ground for directing the flight of the missile. A brief description of these systems will further illustrate their differences. (l) Beam Rider. This system would employ a fire control radar to track the target and the missile would be launched vertically so as to intercept the radar beam. Control equipment would be included in the missile which by activating movable control surfaces "wouldcause the missile to stav within the radar beam and to follow the beam as it track~d the target. In addition, a target seeking device would probably be included which could take over control near the end of the flight in order to insure destruction of the target. In this system the missile is required to fly a highly cUNed pursuit course and consequently a ram jet engine which is more economical on fuel is required. (2) Command System. Two radars \"ould be employed in this system-one tracking the target and one tracking the missile for its guidance and control. The present position data are fed into a computer which converts the data into control information for the missile. Again, the missile would be launched vertically into the upper atmosphere and then turned into the general direction of the target. By traveling through the less dense air, the missile would attain a longer range with the same given fuel consumption. It is seen that in this case the greater portion of the control equipment is located on the ground, thereby minimizing the additional equipment required in the missile which in turn allows more space for fuel or warhead. Both of the above-described systems are rather complex and will no doubt present many difficult engineering problems before they are successfully developed. However, one of these types will probably haye to be used in order to achieve the control accuracy necessary to insure destruction of the target. ' , CO"'CLUSION It is believed that the above general description of the antiaircraft 9uided missile system will better .acquaint the reader \Yi~hthe essential co~ponents of a weapon which will augment present antiaircraft defenses, Hmvever, it can readilY be seen that there are numerous technical and complex eiIgineering problems inmh'ed and much intensh"e effort "uill be necessary before the ultimate objective is achie\"ed. But such a ~Ystemwill e\'entually be necessary for defense against high-speed bombers, je'ts and rockets w"hichare probably being concei\'ed on the drafting boards today,
Fort Bliss artillerymen are briefed by antiaircraft officers before a simulated ground attack on a fortified position as demonstrated for \Vest Point Cadets on the Fort Bliss Range on 12 June. (U.S. Army Signal Corps Photograph) FORT BLISS HOST TO USMA CADETS Effectiveness of antiaircraft artillery in ground attack, as well as against aerial targets, was displayed in the series of demonstrations presented for Cadets of- the \Vest Point Class of 1949 during their visit to Fort Bliss, Texas, June 11-16. Fort Bliss troops of the 59th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic \Veapons Battalion opened the demonstration series on Castner Hange, June 12, with antiaircraftmen utilized both as infantrymen and artillervmen for the show. Antiaircraft weapo~s, fired at range~ of 800 and 1000 yards, were used in support of a ground attack against a ,fortified pOSition. Among the antiaircraft and other weapons emplo\'ed in the demonstration \\Iere: 40-millimeter antiaircraft a~tillery guns, the J\1-19 which is a full-track twin-40 antiaircraft weapon, the 1'1-16 which consists of four .50-caliber machine guns on a mobile mount, 60-millimeter and 81- ~llimeter mortars, light and heavy machine guns, and ) '-millimeter and 75-millimeter recoilless riRes. light antiaircraft problems and their solutions were illustr~ted in the second demonstration, held on Hueco Hange ~o. 2 on June 14. Equipment in the light antiaircraft clas- Sl~cation,both standard types and recent developments, was ~Isplayed for the visiting Cadets. T roops.gave a demonstration of drill and firino at radio-controlled taroet planes ando 0 to\\'ed slee\'e targets. d Heavy antiaircraft guns were demonstrated on the same ay at Hueco Ranoe No. 4 where standard heavy AAA . 0 - ~Ulpment was on exhibit along with recent developments In this line. The heaw_ AA 0ouns were fired at radio- controlled target planes and towed sleeve targets during this demonstration. Troops of the Antiaircraft and Guided J\'lissiles Branch of The Artillerv School assisted in the demonstrations. Another high point in the instructional program prepared for the Cadets at the Antiaircraft Artillery and Guided J\lissile Center was a display of the lates~ developments in electronics and radar as applied to antiaircraft artillery and guided missiles. This was shown to the \Vest Pointers in the course of a tour conducted by officers of the garrison. One da\' of the Cadets' stav at Fort Bliss was devoted to a tour of \\7hite Sands Ordn;nce Proving Ground in New J\lexico. The 581 Cadets were accompanied to Fort Bliss by three officers: Lieutenant Colonel R. H. Tucker, Lieutenant Colonel G. T. Kimbrell, and Lieutenant Colonel D. V. Bennett. Seven additional officers from the United States 1\ lilitary Academy arrived June 13 to join the \Vest Pointers in witnessing demonstrations. They were: Lieutenant Colonel Harrv E. i\likkelsen, Lieutenant Colonel Havmond 1\1. Clock, Lieutenant Colonel H. K. Katz, i\lajor'Robert H. Edgar, i\lajor Gregg L. J\IcKee, Captain Daniel 1\1. Kramer and Captain Earl L. Hehn. The visitors departed June 16 for Fort Benning, Georgia, next stop on the annual summer tour of the First Class. The Cadets were Rown to Fort Bliss from \Vright Field, Ohio, by the 313th Troop Carrier Group which is based at Berostr~m Air Force Base, Austin, Texas. o
Page 2 and 3: ACTIVATION OF NEW AAA UNITS By the
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Page 22 and 23: CIVil DEFENSE* By leonard J. Grassm
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Page 48 and 49: Association ROTC Medal Winners Last
Page 50 and 51: A WORD TO THE WI VES * By Susie-Lan
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68 THE COAST ARTILLERY JOURNAL July
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-') 1- FOR YOURSELF- A complete, co
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74 THE COAST ARTILLERY JOURNAL JlIl
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76 The Price Of Power By HANSON BAL
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78 THE COAST ARTILLERY JOURNAL BOOK
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80 THE COAST ARTILLERY JOURNAL July
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NOW AVAILABLE JOURNAL RADAR PAMPHLE
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