ROCKET TESTS EXPANDED

Chronicle (Levin), 11 March 1947, Page 5

ROCKET TESTS EXPANDED

LARGE SCALE FROGRAMME Received i'uesday, 12.58 a.m. CANBBRRA, MarCn 10. The scope of the proposed tests of guidfed projectiles in Oentral Australia has Deen greatly expanded to include the developmeiit of scifentifiC weapons other than Tocxefc bO::hds. The expanded pfogramme, niay ihclttde puotiess shpersoiiic aircraft and the possiole eflectivehess oi' •weapons carrying atomic warheads. Tnis expansion, it is learhed oh a high aathority in Canherra, was part of the Pederal Government 'S programme to take the ftillest possiole share of responsibility ih the decentraiisation oi Bmpire defence. Tiie Government hiade it known to the British Government that Australia would be prepared to undertake iesearch into any scieiitific Weapons regarding which arrangemehts could be made between the tWo governments. This offer followed certain recent surveys which showed Australia to be acimirably suited as a testing ground ior long-range Weapons. In some cases, it was reveaied, Australia was the only coantry in the Bmpire possessing the necessary facilities for testing* weapons of specific types. It is understood attempts will he made by the Australian Defence Uouncil this week to lay down plans for a large scale programme of research into scientific weapons in this country. Experts believe it is almost certain that the programme, in addition to rocket bomb tests, include the controi of jet planes by radar irom long disfcances.