While the exact mechanism of this missile is a secret, the
governing principles of its design and operation are known to a
select few technicians in this country. Strange to say, the
projectile was designed in the first instance in the interests of
peace and humanty, but while engaged upon his experiments the
inventor suddenly concluded that it would be a more profitable
asset if devoted to the grim game of war. At the time the
military significance of the airship and the aeroplane were
becoming apparent; hence the sudden diversion of the idea into a
destructive channel.
This aerial torpedo is a small missile carrying a charge of high
explosive, such as trinitrotoluene, and depends for its
detonation upon impact or a time fuse. It is launched into the
air from a cradle in the manner of the ordinary torpedo, but the
initial velocity is low. The torpedo is fitted with its own
motive power, which comes automatically into action as the
missile climbs into the air. This self-contained energy is so
devised that the maximum power is attained before the missile has
lost the velocity imparted in the first instance, the result
being that it is able to continue its flight in a horizontal
direction from the moment it attains the highest point in its
trajectory, which is naturally varied according to requirements.
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