Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-02
BALLOONS As TARGETS
Bureau of Ordnance to Ex-
pertinent at Sandy Hook.
SMALL GAS BAGS AT FIRST
Preparing for What Is Regarded as
New War Phase.
FIRST TEST IN THIS COUNTRY
Germany Develops Three Types of
Balloon Cannons-Ordinary Field
Artillery Ineffective.
SMALL GAS BAGS AT FIRST
FIRST TEST IN THIS COUNTRY

Tie bureau of ordnance is about to be-
gin a series of experiments of shooting
at air craft. With the rapid develop
ment in aerial navigation, and particu-
larly with the astonishing success of
aeroplanes, the War Department has de-
cided the time has come to study out
defense against the possible operation of
| an enemy in the air.
The experiments viii! be carried on at
the Sandy Hook proving grounds, in New
Jersey. Capt. Charles de F. Chandler
of the Signal Corps, one of the two
qualified pilots in the army. left WASH
ington yesterday for New York to make
arrangements for the balloons to be used
in the experiments. At the beginning of
the work only gas bags of small size will
be used. but as information is obtained
| the field of operation may he expanded.
First Tests in United States.
No tests of this nature have ever been
made in this country. AS far as is known
! here, the only experiments of the kind
have been carried on by gun manufac-
turers in Germany. The knowledge gained
/ thereby has resulted in the manufacture
of balloon cannons.
/ The tests at Sandy Hook will be made
with cannons now in use and such new
designs will be drafted as the experiments
show may be wise.
| At the same time ordnance officials are
endeavOring to devise means to reduce
the effectiveness of an eRemy's balloons
ard aerOplanes, the Signal Corps will be
engaged i'm the problems of navigating the
air with assurance against successful at
| tack from the land. Experiments will
shortly be conducted i'm muffiing the mot
ors of the Wright aeroplane owned by the
government SO that the flight OF an aero
plane may be made comparatively noise
/ less Attempts to communicate by wire
less telegraphy from an aeroplane Will
also be made
Types of Cannon Developed.
The experiments of firing upon a bal
loon i'm flight with cannon. made in Ger
many, have resulted in three types of
balloon cannons. One is mounted on
wheels, another on a pedestal and the
third on an automobile. The work I'm
Germany has demonstrated that ordinary
field artillery is ineffective against air
! ships.
1t has been found that a gun to shoot
| balloons successfully must impart very
! high velocity TO the shot. so as to allow
| as brief an interval possible for the
| target to change I'm location. The mech
anism of the gun must be such as to
allow II to move swiftly and easily i'm all
| directions, as to fclloY the lateral
movements of the targets.
Shells Preferred.
The chances of piercing balloon with
shrapnel by directing thousands OF balls
| and splinters against the gas bag so as
| to cause its ultimate collapse make shells
preferable to solid projectiles. it Is said.
On the other hand, it has been argued
| that a projectile. carrying fire. would be
| more effective because the rain of balls
| and fragments might result only i'm grad
| ual sinking, thus making ii possible for
| the enemy to escape.