網頁圖片
PDF
ePub 版

Chapter 18

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE ARMY

The outstanding characteristic of modern war is the adaptation to military use of all the resources of twentieth century science. Research and development therefore form a vital aspect of our national defense. Their objective, to quote an official text, is "to apply the results of scientific research to the development of the most advanced materiel, techniques, and countermeasures, in the execution of the military policy of the United States."

This is not a "once-for-all" activity but a continuing one. It has in fact been going on, though at a steadily accelerated rate, throughout our history; the commonplaces of today's armament and equipment are founded on the studies of past generations. The present chap

ter does not attempt to review the research programs of the Army's entire history, but confines itself to strictly contemporary devices or developments, which have been accepted as standard quite recently or are just emerging from the experimental stage; and to the means which the Army uses to attain its ends in this field.

Three aspects of the topic are to be considered

Current developments in equipment and techniques.

Current developments in organization and training.

Agencies responsible for the program. They are summarized below, as far as security considerations permit."

NEW EQUIPMENT AND TECHNIQUES

The most striking of these are in the fields of missiles; increased mobility by land, air, and water; small arms and artillery; surveillance techniques; the adaptation of the resources of nuclear physics to military ends; and certain others.

FREE AND GUIDED MISSILES. The Army (Ordnance Corps) had entered this field of research and development in 1944, before Germany launched her first V-2. After the German surrender we captured a quantity of V-2 equipment. This was dovetailed into our own program, which has been pursued ever since and, at the present time, is being pushed intensively.

A free rocket, like the shell of a

gun, is beyond further control once it has been aimed and fired. A guided missile, on the other hand, can be directed to its target after launching, by one or another means. With its present guided missiles, and the rockets which supplement them, our Army possesses the finest arsenal of short and medium range missiles in the world. Their power, with crews at the ready in widely-dispersed sites, is a vital deterrent to war.

Army missiles fall into two categories: surface-to-surface missiles, which supplement and may largely supplant artillery for use against ground targets, and surface-to-air (antiair) missiles, which supplement and may largely sup

In military literature the phrase "Research and Development," especially when used as part of a title. is often abbreviated to "R & D."

2 In view of the criticisms of needless secrecy which are sometimes leveled against the Department of the Army, the writer would like to say that in assembling the material for this chapter he found no disposition whatever to withhold information about new devices and experimental programs, except in certain special felds where it would be obvious to anyone that publicity would for the moment be contrary to the interests of national defense.

[blocks in formation]

The influence of some of these on national defense and the international situation has been profound. The NikeHercules antiair missile, with its ability to destroy with one burst a large group of fast high-flying planes, has put our AA defenses markedly ahead of any potential enemy's aircraft. The Jupiter development program, in addition to providing a weapon which is in itself an awe-inspiring deterrent to aggression, has been invaluable in other ways. The semiannual report of the Secretary of the Army, for the period ending 30 June 1957, states that experience thus gained "has contributed heavily to the framework of all missile engineering in the United States. It has enabled the Army to bring out a variety of other missiles, and it accorded the Army rather unique qualifications for the Jupiter program, wherein all the Army's available resources in scientific manpower and funds are being applied with critical urgency."

FIRST EARTH SATELLITE. The first U. S. scientific earth satellite, the Explorer, was launched by the Army from Cape Canaveral, Florida, at 10:48 PM on 31 January 1958. The launching (first stage) was powered by Jupiter C, a modified version of the Redstone missile mentioned above. Observations made after launching showed that the satellite's orbit had an apogee (maximum distance from the earth) of 1,587 miles and a perigee of 219 miles, and that its mean velocity was 18,470 miles per hour.

The mission of launching Explorer had been assigned to the Army on 8 November 1957. According to published accounts, Maj. Gen. John Medaris, Chief

of the Army Ballistic Missile Agency, told Secretary of Defense McElroy that the satellite could be put into orbit within 90 days after the Army was given the go-ahead. It actually took 85 days. The launching was a joint undertaking of the Ballistic Missile Agency and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory of the California Institute of Technology.

Explorer provided basic scientific data of great value in man's effort to understand the earth and the regions of space immediately surrounding it. The satellite carried two miniaturized radio transmitters, which telemetered information to ground stations located around the world. The first transmitter sent data on skin temperature of the rear area of the satellite, internal temperature, micrometeorite impact, and cosmic ray counts. The second sent data on the skin temperature of the satellite forward area, the nose cone temperature, micrometeorite impact, and cosmic ray counts. In addition, ground observations of the satellite furnished data on the ionosphere, geomagnetic field intensity, and atmospheric density. (Heretofore information of this sort could be arrived at only by calculations based on indirect evidence.)

Accurate optical and radio observation of changes in satellite orbits may provide basic information as to gravitational anomalies in the earth. The exact amount by which the earth's shape deviates from an ideal sphere can be determined from such observations. It may also be possible to check the belief of some geologists that continents drift a few feet a year. Up to now there has been no means of proving or disproving this theory, since intercontinental distances were not accurately known. Calculations based on simultaneous observations of Explorer and its successors may lead to a precise calculation of such distances.

Explorers III and IV were also placed in orbit in 1958. In December 1958 the Army launched the "moonprobe" Pioneer III. Due to a slight deficiency in speed it fell back after rising over 66,000 miles. However, it and the Explorers have provided valuable data on the belt of radiation that surrounds the earth.

ARMY "FIRSTS" IN THE MISSILE FIELD. The following tabulation makes clear the extent to which the Army has kept in the forefront of missile development over the past fifteen years. For further details see chapter 9.

Date Dec 44 Dec 44

Jul 45 Sep 45 Oct 45 1946 Fall 46 May 47 1947 Feb 49

Feb 49

Jul 49
Jun 51

Nov 51

Mar 52

Feb 53
Feb 53
Dec 53

Mar 54

Feb 55
Dec 55
Jan 56
Jun 56

Sep 56

Sep 56

Sep 56

Dec 56

Dec 56

May 57
Aug 57

Oct 57

Oct 57

Dec 57

Jan 58

May 58

May 58
Jun 58
Aug 58
Oct 58

Dec 58

Event

First US modern military ballistic research test vehicle fired (Private A).
First US supersonic wind tunnel large enough for development testing became
operational (Army Ballistic Research Laboratories, Aberdeen Proving Ground).
First US guided missile range established (White Sands Proving Ground).
First US high altitude sounding rockets fired (WAC Corporal, reached alti-
tudes in excess of 40 miles).

First guided missile unit (battalion) was activated at Fort Bliss, Texas.
First US-developed, air-bearing gyroscope.

First service school for guided missiles was established at Fort Bliss, Texas.
First American surface-to-surface ballistic guided missile, the Corporal E,
fired. (Research test vehicle attained a range of 62.5 miles.)

First development of a rubber base, internal-burning, case-bonded solid pro-
pellant. (Thiokol propellant by Jet Propulsion Laboratories.)

First successful firing of a two-stage missile-a V-2 with a WAC Corporal in
its nose-reaching an altitude of 250 miles.
First demonstration of successful separation of a two-stage missile at high
altitude (Bumper-WAC).
First successful firing of a lightweight, liquid propellant rocket motor (Cor-
poral motor by Jet Propulsion Laboratories).

First large caliber rocket capable of carrying a tactical atomic warhead
(Honest John) fired.

First successful intercept of an airplane by a guided missile (Nike-Ajax
destroys B-17 drone target at White Sands Proving Ground).

First ballistic guided missile units (3 Corporal battalions) activated in the
United States.

First ballistic guided missile fired by military personnel (Corporal).
First large solid propellant rocket motor used in a successful flight test of a
ballistic missile (Hermes RV-A-10).

First tactical air defense guided missile battery became operational (Fort
Meade, Maryland).

First operating stabilized platform inertial guidance system fired in a ballistic
missile in the United States (Hermes).

First US ballistic missile battalion deployed overseas (Corporal to Europe). First successful inertially-guided firing of a completely US-developed large ballistic missile (Redstone).

First large-scale solid propellant tactical ballistic missile successfully fired. First surface-to-air homing-all-the-way guided missile successfully intercepts aircraft. (Hawk intercepts and destroys an F-80 jet drone.)

First deep penetration into space (Jupiter C firing to altitude of 682 miles
and range over 3300 miles).

First radio transmission originating from over 500 miles in space (Jupiter C).
First missile flight with speeds above Mach 15 (Jupiter C).

First operational prototype, long-range ballistic missile fired in Western World
(Redstone to a range over 400 NM).

First successful firing of a large ballistic missile in an unstable configuration with angle-of-attack control (Redstone).

First firing of an IRBM to a range of over 1400 NM (Jupiter).

Demonstration of first successful heat-protected nose cone as a solution to the re-entry heating problem (Jupiter C).

First successful firing of a guided US IRBM (Jupiter).

..... First successful firing of a US IRBM with a full-scale, heat-protected nose cone (Jupiter).

...... First air defense missile fire coordination system became operational. (Missile Master operational in Washington-Baltimore defense.)

First US satellite placed in orbit (Explorer).

First full-scale Jupiter nose cone recovered after firing over IRBM range.
First firing of a Redstone ballistic missile by Army troops.

First deployment of the Redstone system to NATO shield forces.

First tactical Jupiter IRBM delivered to the Air Force.

.First Nike-Hercules unit deployed in overseas area (Far East).

..... First primate known to have traveled through space launched in the nose cone of a ballistic missile.

LAND MOBILITY. To increase its land mobility the Army is studying a variety of new types of faster, lighter, more durable, and less complex vehicles. They include the T113 armored personnel carrier, designed primarily to provide infantry mobility, but which can also be used as a rocket launcher carrier, self-propelled weapons carrier, mortar carrier, antitank missile carrier, ambulance, communications ve

hicle, command post vehicle, cargo carrier, or fire direction center. Also under development are trucks of the 34-ton, 22-ton and 31⁄2-ton classes; a lighter, improved jeep, M151, now operational, which can be air-dropped with minimum rigging; and three new tanks-the light gun T92, the medium gun T95, and the heavy gun T95E6. These tanks promise greater speed, firepower, and mobility, and greater adaptability to

pentomic requirements. The present M48A2 tank has been improved by a fuel injection engine which increases operational range. Another item just completed is the "Mechanical Mule," an 830-lb. vehicle that can carry a 1,000-lb. load.

AIR MOBILITY. There are a number of important current developments in the field of Army aviation. An aerial jeep is being designed for vertical takeoffs and landings and for rapid forward movements. Four other types of research aircraft, with better vertical takeoff and landing possibilities, are also under development. Research continues on the Flying Crane helicopter, designed to carry a 12-ton load for a short distance under combat conditions; this machine has great possibilities in connection with the crossing of rivers, mountains, escarpments, swamps, and other obstacles. Development work has been completed on the Iroquois (H-40), a multipurpose combat utility helicopter. For shallow penetration over enemy territory to acquire information and locate targets, the Army in cooperation with the Navy has let a contract for development of the Mohawk, a fixedwing observation airplane designed to cruise at more than 200 knots, and to take off and land on short, unimproved fields near combat areas. To fly 3-ton loads at more than 160 knots, the Army is procuring for evaluation five Caribou (AC-1) twin-engined transport aircraft, manufactured by de Havilland of Canada. If it proves acceptable, Caribou will double the Army's present airlift capability. This craft also can take off and land on short unimproved areas.

AMPHIBIOUS CAPABILITIES. Current developments in armored personnel carriers seek to attain a swim capability to enable these vehicles to cross inland waters unaided. In addition, the incorporation of a float capability in some types of trucks under development will facilitate their crossing streams without the use of bridges or ferries.

For increased amphibious capabilities the Army is developing a beach lighter for landing trucks, tanks, and other vehicles in combat operations. It will be 338 feet long, with a beam of 65 feet,

cruising speed of 12 knots, and range of 4,800 miles.

NEW WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT FOR THE INDIVIDUAL SOLDIER. Recent advances include the M14 and M15 rifles (the M15 is the M14 equipped with a heavier barrel and bipod, replacing the Browning Automatic Rifle); the M60, designed to fire the 7.62mm NATO round, replacing three present weapons as a general purpose machinegun; effective one-shot flame thrower, light enough for paratrooper use; the "Dan Patch" mine planter, designed to lay extensive minefields; and new radar equipment which can locate enemy mortars in seconds.

an

ARTILLERY AND SHELLS. The socalled conventional 280mm gun fires an atomic shell with the same accuracy as a high explosive shell. (This is the gun that has been on delivery to the Seventh Army in Germany.) A previous void in airborne firepower has been filled by the new air-transportable M56 90mm self-propelled gun.

SURVEILLANCE TECHNIQUES. In this field the Army is developing airborne radar and infrared which provide the means of looking deep into enemy territory. It has also accelerated its research and development in the fields of radio, acoustics, photography, and general electronics.

SURVEILLANCE RADAR SETS. Several types are under development. One, which can be carried by one man, has a range of from 1,000 to 2,000 yards for detecting personnel, and over 4 miles for vehicles. A larger size needs 3 men to transport it; it can detect vehicles 9 miles away. A still larger radar, truckmounted, will detect moving vehicles at up to 22 miles; and aircraft-mounted radars are effective in locating moving targets at up to 40 miles.

SURVEILLANCE DRONES. Due to the effectiveness of modern AA weapons, the reconnaissance of enemy positions by piloted aircraft may at times prove very costly. Accordingly the Army has a program for pilotless "drone" aircraft to be used for surveillance. Such aircraft could carry a variety of television, photographic, or radar equipment to report enemy positions. They would also provide the local com

mander with an immediately available means of aerial coverage. They would make very poor targets, being much smaller than standard aircraft and built of nonreflecting materials. The Army is concentrating on developing guidance, navigation, and sensory components as well as the craft themselves.

COMMUNICATIONS. The new pentomic concept of ground warfare calls urgently for longer range, higher capacity communications. Under an advanced stage of development is an area communications system consisting of completely automatic telephone switching units which will be interconnected by multichannel, microwave radio relay systems and by miniature coaxial cable. This cable will be no larger than World War II field wire, yet will be capable of carrying a hundred conversations simultaneously. Tactical commanders and staffs will be able to communicate with any unit throughout the battle area, from either aircraft or ground vehicles, using a new lightweight radio which will be connected into the area system through mobile radio switching centers.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS AT THULE AIR BASE. The Army's revolutionary achievement in building this complete base on the Greenland icecap is well known to the public. An important recent field of development is tunneling into the cap for transportation, housing, and storage purposes. Rooms inside the ice have been put into use, 60 ft. square and 23 ft. high, with a fairly constant temperature of between 13° and 17° above zero. This has permitted a variety of living, mechanical, and storage operations at times when the outside temperature was as low as 65° below zero.

NUCLEAR WEAPONS. An important recent achievement has been the progressive development of weapons of smaller "yield" (explosive power), more suitable for certain tactical purposes than the high-yield bombs and shells designed to destroy very large or massive targets. The effects of atomic weapons on personnel and equipment are under close and continuing study. Already developed are various radiation detection instruments, shielding materials, and equipment and techniques for

prediction and warning systems, and for the decontamination of objects which have been contaminated by radiation.

Atomic Energy Commission-Army cooperation in the past year has brought nuclear programs so far that rapid technical progress in the near future is indicated. This progress will materially increase mobility for nuclear weapons and accuracy and selectivity in their

use.

OTHER USES OF ATOMIC POWER. The Army's Package Power Reactor at Fort Belvoir (Va.) was put into operation in 1957 and tied into the local power system. The reactor, a prototype designed to provide heat and electricity for military installations, produces 1,825 KW, enough for a town of 5,000 inhabitants, and has an estimated useful life of 20 years. The first of several designs being developed by the Army, this particular reactor is not intended for air movement. (Later models will be air-transportable, the component parts to be flown into remote or devastated areas and assembled with comparative ease.) Training of Army personnel is concurrent with proof-testing of the equipment.

As a result of Army R&D work, a plant is being established which is further testing the technical and economic feasibility of using ionization radiation to preserve foodstuffs in large quantities for military and civilian needs. In the process, micro-organisms which cause spoilage are killed. The pilot plant of the Army Ionizing Radiation Center is planning to process 1,000 tons of food monthly. It is located at Sharpe General Depot in Stockton, California. Similar studies are projected on leather, textiles, and other materials. Medical Care. Advances in this field include

A vaccine to prevent an acute respiratory disease common to military trainees, saving $7,500,000 annually.

Improved surgical techniques and treatment for burns.

Mobile dental vans to serve isolated and widely dispersed troops.

A mask-to-mask resuscitator to provide artificial respiration for nerve gas casualties (an improvement on the resuscitator now in general civilian use).

« 上一頁繼續 »