Television For Missile To Home On Target

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30481, 1 July 1964, Page 15

Television For Missile To Home On Target

(N Z. Press Association—Copyright)

LONDON, June 30. The United States is developing two forms of a new secret weapon, the “Tellybomb”, according to the “Evening Standard”. There, is a large version, called “Condor”, and a smaller one called “Wall-eye”. Condor was to be the main armament of America’s TFX fighter-bomber, the aircraft bought by the R.AA.F. in preference to Britain’s treetop strike TSR2. The "Tellybomb” is a stand-off weapon. A rocket motor sends it through the air for a considerable distance after it has been dropped. As the missile skims over enemy terrain a tiny television scanner takes continuous pictures. This is checked automatically against a description of

the precise target area in the missile’s "brain". When the two match up, the bomb “homes” on its objective. The newspaper said Washington hoped Britain would join In developing Condor. American officials were urging it as the ideal weapon for the TSR2.

However, British officials described as “purely speculative” the suggestion of Washington pressure on Britain to join in developing the "Tellybomb”. "Wall-eye” is being developed by the United States Navy. It works differently, having no rocket motor. Its te'evision camera has to be focused on the target by the pilot before he drops it. .u U . S '.v N,vy officials claimed 1000,b “Wall-eye” was the most accurate air-to-surface conventional weapon ever developed.” P