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Show 'DEALS DEATH " TO AVIATORS NEW ARMY GUN WILL DEMOLISH AIRSHIPS Can Be Elevated at Any Angle And Has Effective Range of Seven Miles Projectiles Will Burst Like a Skyrocket. Washington, Ailg, .'to. A new six-pounder six-pounder gun, equipped with specially adapted high explosive projectiles and shrapnel shells to demolish ncroplaues nnd balloons In battle, has been perfected per-fected by tho United States army. It can be elevated nt any angle and possesses pos-sesses a maximum effective range of seven Tulles. The construction of the now rifle has Just been completed at the Hock Island (111.) arsennl. Experiments with it will begin nt tho Sandy Hook proving prov-ing grounds within n fortnight. The army thus is In advance or the navy toward the solution of tho problem of! defense ngalnst airships. The navy! only a few days ago, conducted Its first tes.ts with the carriage of a one pounder gun. The shells which tho nrmy gun will hurl Into the skies are described as romnrkuhlo devices. They will be loaded load-ed with dutmlte, or other high explosives, ex-plosives, and on bursting, will send forth a shower of shot. In a coue-llko nrea, similar to the performance of a skyrocket, nlmost certain to strike an airship If aimed with any degree ot accuracy. - Other projectiles which have lee.n dcblgned for tho new gun contain only it high explosive which on exploding would wreck any airship near by. Following In the wake of these powerful projectiles will be tracers which will aid in aiming tho gun on the course of a hostile aiiship, The Oacers to be used In daylight will bo of smoke while sparks will bIiow tho path of tho shell at night. Tho sight of the new gun also has been perfected, designed to meet tho changing conditions of the trajectory of a projectile fired at varying angles. Tho gun Is tho result of experiments held at Sandy Hook several months-, ago. In the coming experiments tho army will shoot at balloons nnd box kites and possibly a real airship will be used for tho purpose of sighting at great distances. Credit for tho invention belongs to ordnance experts of tho army, working work-ing under tho direction of Brigadier General William G. -Crozlor, chief of ordnance. |
