PROJECT 1947

IN REPLY
REFER TO    ORDBS 413.44                                                                         12 June 1947

SUBJECT:     Request for Operation at Ground Radar Equipment for Radar
                      Countermeasures Training

TO:                Chief, Rocket Branch
                      Ordnance Research and Development Division
                      Office, Chief of Ordnance
                      Washington 25, D. C.

                      ATTN: Col H. N. Toftoy

 
            1.       Attached is a request from Headquarters Eight Air Force, Fort
Worth, Texas, dated 3 Jun 47, subject as above.   It is forwarded to
your office for information and appropriate action.

            2.       In reviewing the request set out in reference request,
the following comments are made by this headquarters.

            3.       The radar equipment currently in use at White Sends Proving
Ground is under the control of the Signal Corps Engineering Laboratories
of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer.   This equipment is modified
SCR-584 designed to operate the AN/APN-55 beacon used in obtaining
ballistic information from the missiles fired at this station.   This
equipment being of an experimental nature obviously is undergoing
modification and extensive testing procedures when not actually in use
for a firing.   It would, therefore, preclude any possible use by other
agencies for procedures set out in subject request from headquarters
Eighth Air Force.

            3. [sic]  Due to the nature of experimental electronic work being conducted
by agencies here at White Sands Proving Ground, it would be extremely
undesirable to have countermeasures activities in the vicinity of this
station.

            4.       Because of accelerated test programs here at the Proving Ground,
it would be extremely difficult to schedule in advance the training
flights as requested in paragraph 3 at request from Headquarters Eighth
Air Force.

 

ORDBS 413.44, 12 Jun 47, Subj: Request for Operation of Ground Radar
Equipment for Radar Countermeasures Training

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           5.       If the operation of such countermeasures should be scheduled
for the White Sands Proving Ground, the rocket test program being
carried on here at White Sands would be impeded.

 

Harold R Turner [signed]
HAROLD R. TURNER
Lt Col, Ord Dept
Commanding

Incl
    Ltr fr Hqs 8thAF
    to CO, WSPG Dtd
    3 Jun 47;