BRITISH ATOM TEST

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27072, 22 June 1953, Page 13

BRITISH ATOM TEST

Autumn Experiments At Woomera

(Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, June 20. Plans for the new British atomic explosions at Woomera will be discussed when British Ministers visit Australia early in the autumn, says K^rn, er s diplomatic correspondent. Th® new test is expected to involve the bigger and more powerful weapons developed as a result of experience with the original explosion which among other things “vaporised” a frigate.

One proposal is for Mr Duncan Sandys, Minister of Supply, whose department supervises British atomic development, to visit Australia during the Parliamentary recess which begins in August.

•?u ls i_ visit wou ld proba"bly coincide with that of Lord Swinton, the Secretary of Commonwealth Relations, who is planning a tour of Commonwealth countries, including Australia and New Zealand.

Sir William Penney, chief of Britain’s atom research, and his team of experts are reported to have made further important progress in their researches since October when they exploded an atomic weapon at the Montebello Islands. New Type of Warhead Sir William Penney’s unit has been, working on two types of atomic warhead. The first is designed to develop the full potential of the atomic explosive. This means making the maximum use of plutonium in the warhead. The second is a tactical weapon which can be exploded within eight miles of friendly troops. Empire servicemen will take part in the latter stages of the tests. Britain’s new atom bombs are being designed to be carried by the latest jet-powered bombers—the Valiant, the Vulcan, arid the Victor.

If the present plans go through, the aircraft-carrier Campania, which carried the vital equipment for the Montebello expedition, will sail for Australia at the turn of the year. Sir William Penney and his firing party will leave about a month later. No American scientists will see the tests unless the United States Government amends the McMahon Act, which bars the exchange of atom weapon information with other nations.