Evening star., 1940-07-11
New j. ). Plane
Orders Total
$100,000,000
Defense Program
To Provide $4,000
In Two Years
BY FRED H. MORHART. Jr.


Contracts for $l00, 900 900 worth of
Army and Navy planes. the first of
series of orders expected to yield
the Nations defense forces 25,O00
planes within two years, were an
nounced today by the National Ad-
visory Defense Commission.
The huge aviation program. a vital
link in the armament plans, was re-
vealed by DR.. George J. Mead,
aeronautical adviser to the commits
sion, at a press conference.
The first planes under the new
contracts are to be delivered within
four or five months, with production
speeded up as rapidly as possible.
One estimate given by DR.. Mead
was that all the $4,000 planes could
be built by July, 1912, If not sooner.
The Reconstruction Finance Corp.
has agreed to lend the aviation in
dustry funds enough to expand
plant facilities, DR.. Mead disclosed
Engine Research Laboratory.
With the 100000, 900 in contracts
let in recent days, other contracts
are being negotiated directly with
the manufacturers as swiftly as pos
sible, Dr. Mead said
In addition, Dr. Mead announced
the National Advisory Committee
for Aeronautics has just received
So 400 900 through presidential order
to build an engine research labora-
tory. probably at Langley Field. Va
OF the contracts in process of
swift negotiation, approximately IS
per cent are for Army bombers. pur-
suit and reconnaissance planes. The
rest will 60 to the Navy.
The unprecedented speed with
which defense aviation is being aug
mented has been made possible. DR..
Mead pointed out. by throwing into
the discard the old system of bid
ding and substituting new plan of
direct contract negotiations.
Program Worked Out.
The comprehensive program has
been worked out. DR.. Mead ex-
planned. through cooperation of the
Defense Commission, the Army. the
Navy and the manufacturers. Only
proved types of planes and engines
are being ordered, while experi-
mentation will continue during the
period of speeded production. The
program will be concentrated, mean
while, on present requirements of
tried and tested aircraft rather than
on future possibilities, DR.. Mead
emphasized
An agreement which led to letting
Sl00 900 900 in immediate contracts
was joined in by members of the
commission, Acting Secretary of
War johnson, Acting Secretary of
the Navy Compton, Admiral Harold
L. Stark, chief of naval operations,
and Gen. George c. Marshall, Army
chief of staff.
Diesel Research Seen.
DR.. Mead pointed out that the
National Commission for Aeronau-
tics already is conducting extensive
tests at the Langley Field aeronau-
tical laboratory. In addition, he an
nounced that new establishment at
Sunnyvale, Calf. is about ready to
take over part of the work being
conducted at Langley Field.
In some quarters it was believed
that the new laboratory would de-
vote considerable time to research
work on Diesel engines. Still in the
infant stage in this country Diesel
engines are reported to be in sue
cessful operation by the Germans in
Europe.
DR.. Mead announced that Paul
Johnston of the National Advisory
Committee for Aeronautics has been
named executive officer under the
new program Other personnel add
(See ORDERS, Page A-4)