Chronology 



13 



From 1924 to 1930, special ballistics studies and investigations conducted at 

 reduced scale were performed at Dahlgren. These studies revealed that pene- 

 tration results were closely similar at different scales for similar conditions of 

 test. Impressed by the results of these tests, as early as 1927 the Dahlgren 

 Proving Ground recommended that a laboratory be built for development tests 

 and experimental work on armor, projectile, and assorted systems at small 

 scale. Such studies were not only vital scientifically, but the economy resulting 

 from their performance helped maintain the R&D programs of the Proving 

 Ground during a period of severe economic restriction in military expendi- 

 tures. Not until 1940, however, were funds for the creation of an Armor and 

 Projectile Laboratory allocated by the Bureau of Ordnance.^* 



From 1927 to 1935, facilities for experimental work were extremely modest. 

 However, an Experimental Laboratory was created and expanded between 

 1936 and 1940, and the Plate Battery evolved as a separate department. By the 

 beginning of the war, the Experimental Department consisted of the Adminis- 

 tration and Technical Staff plus the Velocity Section. ^^ 



Technical staff supervision was assigned to the Chief Physicist who acted as 

 the Head Technical Assistant to the Experimental Officer. All personnel in- 

 volved in bomb calibration, exterior ballistics, velocity measurements, arma- 

 ment tests, development work, and technical analysis of test results were in- 

 cluded in the staff of the Experimental Officer and Chief Physicist. 



Various boats used at Dahlgren for range support and transportation, April 1920. 



