Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-25
CAVALRY-A|RP[ANE
WAR GAME OPENS
New Anti-AirCraft Devices to
Be Tested for Two
Months at Aberdeen.
By the Associated Press.

| Uncle Sans Cavalry and an Army
| Air Corps unit are cooperating today
| in working out war problems on the
| largest scale ever attempted in this
country between mounted troops and
| aircraft.
simultaneously with this announce
ment, the War Department said that
beginning September l the Ordnance
Department proposed to start a two
month test of new equipment that il
has developed to repulse airplane at
tacks. The anti-aircraft tests will
be held at the Aberdeen Proving
Grounds, Md.
The joint Cavalry-aircraft maneuv.
ers are being held near Fort Bliss,
Tex. The plans call for an air at
tack on the mounted troops and also
the working out of problems in
scouting and observation. with par
ticular emphasis placed upon inter-
communication between the air and
land units. Forty-two graduates of
the Army's Advanced Flying School
at Kelly Field, Tex, are plotting as
many planes in the maneuvers, while
the 1st Cavalry Division constitutes
the mounted troops detachment.
First Anti.Aircraft Tests.
the flying unit and Brig. Gen. Edwin
b. Winans commands the troopers.
The proposed anti-aircraft tests in
Maryland are the first extensive anti
aircraft tests held by the Army this
Summer and, coming as they do on
the heels OF the recent achievements
Of American airmen in covering long
distances, are expected to arouse
considerable interest in aeronautical
circles.
The newest anti-aircraft cannon and
machine guns as well as sound loca
tors and fire control apparatus and
searchlights will be tried out against
targets towed by airplanes.
The War Department has assigned
the 49th Bombardment Squadron to
carry out the air missions in connec-
ton with the tests. while the 61st
Coast Artillery (anti-aircrafO from
Fort Monroe, Va, reinforced by a de.
tachment from the cd Coast Artillery,
Fort Totten, n. Y, would man the
antl-aircraft equipment on the ground.
The coast artillerymen will go from
Fort Monroe, by mine planter and
motor convoy, while the detachment
from the CID will travel from New
York by motor, both being due to ar
rive at Aberdeen about September i.
Will Use New Devices.
Virtually all firing scheduled in the
tests will be at sleeve targets towed Dy
airplanes. The day firing will occupy
five days each week, weather permit.
ting, and the night firing three nights
per week.
All of the locating devices for spot.
ting the planes either by sound or by
searchlight will be brought into play,
and in addition there will be special
tests for the earchlights batteries in
locating planes and holding them in
searchlight beams when the guns are
not in use.
Improved types of anti-aircraft
equipment to be tested include sound
locators of recent design, new high.
powered searchlights, a fire control
system to coordinate data instan.
taneously on receipt from the sound
locators and searchlights, a central
fire control system for the 3-inch anti.
aircraft gun battery employing indi-
rect fire methods, sight and fire con-
troll instruments for machine guns of
both the 80 and so calibre and spe-
cial equipment for gauging accuracy
Of fire on the towed targets.