Evening star., 1949-10-09

For several years now we have
taken for granted that we must
defend ourselves against bombers
of a type which would fly at a
very high altitude and at very
high speed. attitudes and speeds
way above any which have been
discussed in these hearings. All
of our new interceptor fighter de-
signs provide the ability to do
this, but production of such air.
planes is very difficult and ex-
pensive.
If, at this late date, potential
enemy should announce to the
world that he would attack us
with a very large slow unescorted
bomber, we would Immediately be
released from a considerable bur-
den of very costly research and
development in fighter design,
Yet this is precisely the relief
which we would confer on our
potential enemies if we confirm
our extraordinary investment in
the B-36.
During the past three years the
Navy has acquired considerable
experience in the operation of a
series of jet fighters eliminating
in the so-called Banshee. This
airplane gives us altitude per-
formance superior to any other
United States airplane presently
in service. But it is not an in
terceptor fighter. 1t is a general
purpose fighter. carrying rather
large fuel load and having COM
paratively great range.
Nevertheless, the Banshee flies
at speeds and attitudes fa1
greater than those of which. the
B-36- is capable. But we expect
to be confronted with more mod
ern bombers and feel that we
must have the still higher per-
formance provided by the inter-
ceptors now under construction.
There is every reason to believe
that the enemy will have fight
ers as good as ours. The British
do. And the Russians have pub
Hcly demonstrated numbers of
very advanced designs. There
fore, we must use our own ex-
perience as a measure of the
least we fnay expect in the op-
position.
Gas Turbines Developed.
At the close of World War II,
we were deeply involved in the
development of gas turbines-ours
did not get into action, but they
had definitely revealed entirely
new concepts of airplane per-
formance.
AS usual the Germans were
ahead of us-they were able to
put very few jet fighters into
action. With conventional pro-
peller driven fighters they had al
ready stopped our unescorted day
bombers. The indications were
quite clear that, with large num-
bers of jet fighters, they would
stop our escorted bombers. This
did not occur because the war
ended.
Since that time, the develop
ment of jet fighters has pro-
ceeded with striking rapidity.
This type is ideally adapted to
intercept tactics against bombers.
No propeller-driven fighter can
touch modern jet fighter. And
it is a notable fact that the de-
velopment of interceptors is con-
tinuing at an accelerated rate.
The development of jet bomb
ers has not been comparable to
that of jet fighters, for the sim
pie reason that their extreme high
fuel consumption has made it
very difficult to provide the range
required for land based opera
tions. That is a severe handicap
for us-but not so for our poten-
tial enemies. We all know that
the life of a prisoner Of war in
the United States would be a
rather attractive prospect to an
aviator from behind the Iron Cur
tain. For this reason, one-way
bombing missions, requiring one
half the bomber performance in
range, are a thoroughly practical
undertaking for them. and may
very soon be within jet bomber
capabilities.
Sharp Disagreement.
With our experience. backed by
the lessons of World War II, we
find ourselves in sharp disagree
ment with the proponents of the
B-36. This controversy has, in
effect, been submitted to the press
and the public. The technical de-
cision which a non-technical pub
lie is in the process of making is
based on information which is
incorrect in specific particulars.
The Importance of interpreting
all such information correctly will
be apparent.
Arguments in support Of the
B-36 program have led to errone-
GUS impressions as to combat con-
ditions at 10000 feet.
These are specific examples:
The false premise that radar is
ineffective against the B-36.
The false premise that the
fighter pilot has trouble in seeing
or finding his target.
The false premise that the in
Perception can be completed only
with great difficulty.
The false premise that the in
tercepting fighters lack the per-
formance and the maneuverabillty
to attack effectively.
The false premise that the B-36
can defend itself successfully when
it is attacked.
And
The false premise that no night
fighter in existence can make an
interception.
I shall attempt to discuss these