Researcher@Large - 1943 Air Information Summary 16

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AIR INFORMATION BRANCH
BUREAU OF AERONAUTICS
WASHINGTON 871

U.S.
CONFIDENTIAL - BRITISH SECRET 23 June 1943

AIR INFORMATION SUMMARY NO.16 NAVAER

Distribution:To all units ashore and afloat concerned with aircraft.

NEW GERMAN AIRCRAFT DEVELOPMENT

PART I
GERMAN USE OF ROCKET PROPELLED PROJECTILES

PART II
GERMAN DEVELOPMENT IN RADIO CONTROLLED AIRCRAFT

PART III
HEINKEL He 280 JET-PROPELLED AIRCRAFT

PART I GERMAN USE OF ROCKET PROPELLED PROJECTILES

Recent reports have been received describing encounters with various types of German fighters which appear to be equipped with weapons firing shells of considerably larger caliber than the conventional 20 mm. It is probable that these aircraft were fitted with rocket-launching equipment.

One such report mentions an encounter with several enemy aircraft described as having a wing span of about forty feet, with the rounded tips of the wings painted red. These aircraft were very fast in level flight, but appeared to have a rather slow rate of climb. Their armament was reported to be one long-barreled cannon and two machine-guns in each wing. The muzzle flashes of the cannon were about twelve feet in length and the projectile bursts were about twice as large as the bursts of ordinary flak. It was reported that only two or three rounds were fired by individual aircraft, with approximately a three-second interval between rounds.

Comments on this new weapon include the following statements:

(1) "Some of the enemy aircraft stood off at a distance of over 1,000 yards and fired shots at the leading group. The bursts of these shells were much larger than those of 20 mm shells."

(2) "Twin-engine aircraft stood out of range of our aircraft and fired broadsides at the Fortresses."

(3) ". . . . reports that some Fw 190's had no outboard cannon but did have two inboard cannon which, when fired, shot out flame about four feet, compared with the usual type which throws flame about two feet."

U.S. CONFIDENTIAL - BRITISH SECRET

          (4) "The enemy aircraft dove to treetop level after firing their single shell." "The enemy aircraft dove to the deck after firing three shells."

     It is probable that the weapon under consideration is a rocket launcher of about four inch diameter. The following factors lead to this belief:

         (1) The extreme length of the barrel indicates a rocket launcher feather than a cannon.

          (2) A long muzzle flash is one of the characteristics of rocket-launching weapons. The propellant charge in a 4 in. launcher normally produces a flash like the twelve-foot one which was reported.

          (3) It is improbable that fighter aircraft could carry cannon large enough to fire a projectile that could cause a burst twice the size of an ordinary flak burst. However, a 4" rocket would produce a burst approximately equivalent to that of a 150 mm. shell, or nearly twice the size of the burst produced by an 88 mm. flak projectile.

          (4) Rocket launchers of approximately this size have been mounted successfully on Allied aircraft for use against ground targets.

     This type of weapon cannot be mounted under the fuselage of a single-engine airplane so, as to fire through the propeller arc. The rocket launcher is best adapted to mounting on the underside of the fuselage of twin engined aircraft because the size of the projectile prohibits synchronization with the propeller. The projectile is believed to weigh about thirty pounds and is estimated to be about thirty inches in length, and have a diameter of four inches. Prom these dimensions it is estimated that an effective fragmentation burst radius of 150 feet might be realized, while the smoke caused by the burst would be approximately sixty-five to seventy-five feet in diameter.

PART II
GERMAN DEVELOPMENT IN RADIO CONTROLLED AIRCRAFT
     A recent report indicates the following new trend in German experimental development:
     "German research on pilotless aircraft was speeded up and intensified with outbreak of war and much progress has been made in this highly specialized field. British Air scientists are reported acquainted to a degree with some of the basic factors in this German research.

     Last Spring many German aircraft companies were called upon to contribute technical specialists and workmen to man a new plant for the production of pilotless aircraft. This factory which is located in the Augsburg aviation construction district, now employs over 9,000 men.

U.S. CONFIDENTIAL - BRITISH SECRET

     The pilotless aircraft built at the factory are distinguished by a torpedo type body with very short stubby wings. They are equipped with normal motors and controls which are operated by an apparently efficient system of remote control.

     Test and training flights observed have most frequently been in flights of three regularly piloted planes and three pilotless aircraft.

     Purpose for which pilotless aircraft are to be used is that of destroying by ramming enemy aircraft particularly large heavily defended bombing and other planes. Tactics practiced are for piloted planes to remain outside defense radius enemy aircraft while at same time directing pilotless planes into ramming position. Thus one pilotless aircraft would be lost in every successful attack.

     Pilotless planes would serve two purposes: (1) save trained aviation personnel which is now very important, and (2) intensify attack on enemy bombers and other heavily defended planes since being pilotless they can be used as so-called suicide squadrons. It is also held that ramming is a more successful offense attack than gun-fire which frequently only slightly damages opponent.

     Pilotless aircraft are not expected to be available for active use until next spring because of (1) production schedules, (2) necessaiy training large number pilots and other personnel in new tactics and (3) capitalize on surprise through use of large number in initial stages.

PART III
HEINKEL He 280 JET-PROPELLED AIRCRAFT

     For the past three years occasional reports have been received about a jet propelled, aircraft designated as the He 280 - originally described as a small mid-wing monoplane with two reaction-propulsion units on the wing.*

     In May 1942 an aircraft believed to be He 280 was identified at a German flying field, although no power units were visible. During April 1943, a similar plane, possibly with a modified tail and with two objects clearly apparent on the wing, was again sighted. A three view drawing embodying all available recognition characteristics of this plane is attached and the following estimated dimensions will apply.

Span 38 - 39 ft.

Length 33.5 - 35.5 ft.

Root chord 6.5 - 7.5 ft.

Tailplane span 12 - 13.5 ft.

Length of Nose 11.5 - 12 ft.

Distance between center
lines of "nacelles"
(probably jet units) 12 - 13.5 ft.

U.S. CONFIDENTIAL - BRITISH SECRET

Definite information on the propulsion system is lacking and the table below gives an approximation of possible speeds:

REMARKS: Present estimates are quite similar to previous ones given out on the He 280.

* The He 280 is entirely different in appearance from the Heinkel "T" jet propelled plane as described by a recent Prisoner of War. (Air Information Summary No. 10, dated 7 May 1943).

U.S. CONFIDENTIAL - BRITISH SECRET