Excerpt from
Chemical Corps Document:
"Summary of Major Events and Problems"
(Fiscal Year 1953)
|
Below is an excerpt from "Summary of Major Events and Problems" (Fiscal Year 1953) from the US Army Chemical Corps. It emcompasses page 23-30, from the section "Research and Development." For background information and the entire report as an Acrobat file, click here. |
|
Chemical Research and Development During the period from January to June 1953, research and development
proceeded in both the offensive and defensive aspects of chemical, biological,
and radiological warfare. The search for new toxic agents continued, and
hundreds of compounds that had possible toxic chemical structures were
considered. The interest was not confined to gaseous substances, but extended
on a larger scale to poisonous solids. Methods of disseminating Sarin (GB) by bombs, spray tank, shells, and
other means continued under development. Work was begun on a 750-lb. cluster,
comprising 126 3-pound vase-shaped bombs to disseminate Sarin from high-
speed aircraft. In the GB 1000-lb. cluster class, the B101R3, carrying
76 GB-filled bombs, was modified for external stowage, and the bombs (B54R6)
were put through all tests with the exception of the USAF operational
suitability tests. For the dissemination of GB vapor by means of airplane
spray tanks, a tank, B28, capable of being externally mounted on jet aircraft
was developed, and later modified (B29) to utilize the ram-jet principle.
Studies were likewise made on the dosage of GB vapor obtainable from spray
tanks. The 4.5-inch GB rocket, T164, underwent final engineering tests.
Because the 4.2-inch GB mortar shells behaved erratically during ballistic
tests, redesign was necessary. Standardization of 105-mm. And 155-mm.
Sarin-filled artillery shells was delayed at the request of the Ordnance
Department pending development of a device of detecting leaks. Research
on the thermal dissemination of Sarin was continued in an effort to forum
late a pyrotechnic mixture that would not destroy the agent. An ingenious
thermal generator having two compartments, in one of which was a thin
walled collapsible tube, and in the other a fuel block, was developed.
When put into use, the gases from the burning fuel exerted pressure on
the tube, and forced out the agent through an atomizing nozzle. In the field of guided missiles, an experimental investigation was undertaken
to determine the principles governing the use of chemical warheads. Development
of both toxic and incendiary warheads for strategic surface-to-surface
and air-to-surface missiles continued, and missiles carrying BW bombs
were tested, using inert B61R4 bombs. In flame warfare, development of the flame gun of the lightweight portable
flame thrower, B32, reached final stages. When finished the gun was expected
to weigh one-third less than the M2A1 portable flame thrower model. The
contractors, however, had difficulty producing an all-plastic fuel tank,
which was expected to weigh less than half of the equivalent all-metal
tank. Final engineering tests were started on the mechanized flame thrower,
B24-29, while the B-25-30 developed for the United States Marine Corps,
was made ready for final engineering tests, the first prototype being
ready for testing in May. Development work continued on a long range incendiary
oil projector. In the aerial incendiary field, an important action was
the standardization of the M116 (E74) fire bomb. In smoke screening modifications were made in some components of the
M3 pulse-jet smoke generator to decrease the frequency of breakdowns.
The machine was made more versatile by the development of an adapter,
B10, designed to disseminate Sarin at the rate of 20 gallons per hour,
and theoretical studies were begun on the problem of making large area
attacks using the device. In the nonmechanical screening field, development
procurement was begun on the floating smoke pot, AN-M7. Research continued
on infra-red screening agents, designed to prevent enemy use of infra-red
guided weapons and viewing devices, and on anti-radar screening agents.
Biological Warfare Work on BW agents reached the point where, in addition to the antipersonnel
and the anticrop agents already standardized by the end of FY 1952, a
number were approaching the stage where consideration could be given to
their adoption as standard types. Insofar as research and development
of antianimal agents was concerned, the limiting factor was the lack of
facilities. Two new laboratory buildings were under construction at CampDetrick
for work on animal diseases. Two chemical type anticrop agents were standardized during the latter
half of FY 1953. The special advantage of these agents is their ability
to withstand weathering and the fact that field concentrations are nontoxic
to men and animals. Moreover, no method exists for arresting their action.
Since the size of BW particles is of critical importance, the determination
of methods for the reduction of dried agents to the proper size, and the
collection and classification of these sized. particles are essential
features of the drying program. In order to centralize responsibility and to achieve coordination on
the important problem of drying BW agents, a research group was established
at the Biological Laboratories during this period, a large part of whose
work was performed by contract with other government agencies and with
private firms. Spray drying and freeze drying were both investigated.
Six pilot plants, including one for simulant agents, were nearing completion
at the Biological Laboratories. At Pine Bluff Arsenal, the X-201 Plant
was nearly completed by 30 June 1953. Meanwhile, a new process for the
production of the preferred BW antipersonnel agent was recommended to
the X-201 facility, and piloting of this was begin in June 1953. The largest single portion of BW research and development funds, 45.9
percent was devoted to the design and engineering of munitions. Two new
aerial munitions were being developed, the first of which was expected
to be ready for its agent filling in 1954. A problem still confronting
the engineers was the development of a satisfactory needle size for filling
the bomb with the preferred agent. Two naval munitions for disseminating
the BW agents were being developed and successful tests with a prototype
were conducted with simulants on land and off the Florida coast. A new
means of BW dissemination was discovered in FY 1953. This was the ultrasonic
generation of aerosols, which showed much promise and will be investigated
in future munition development. In addition to tests with BW agents and munitions conducted at Dugway
Proving Ground, Eglin Air Force Ease, and a number of other places, field
trials with simulant agents were held at Fort McClellan, Alabama (SHORTHORN
I & II) in the fall of 1952. The objective of the latter was to determine
tactical potentialities of BW. The results indicated that a considerable
number of casualties could have been produced in similar combat situations
involving the use pathogenic agents.
Under the Radiological Warfare program, two types of bombs had been developed
by the Spring of 1953. One was an explosive, highly aimable munition,
which was effective for small targets, and the other a large area munition,
based on the dispersion of surface modified spheres, effective for large
targets.
Some very useful results had been attained in the three and one half years of the program's existence. Those results included: (1) Discovery of a variety of agents for munitions including those utilizing
waste fission products and hence not competing with the atomic program. |
|
front
page |
index +
search |
| posted
19 July 2005 original text and site copyright 2002-5 Russ Kick |