Ordnance Advisory CounciL--Eighteen of the nation's outstanding men in the fields of physics, electronics, metallurgy, chemistry and engineering have agreed to serve as members of a Scientific Advisory Council to Picatinny Arsenal, Dover, N. J., the Army Ordnance Corps' principal installation for research and development in the field of propellants and explosives, artillery ammunition above 20 mm, bombs, pyrotechnics and associated items.
In greeting the Council members at their initial meeting Colonel J. P. Harris, Picatinny's Commanding Officer, told them, "The present world situation requires more than ever before that the talents of the nation's scientists be utilized as fully as possible in the search for better weapons for our Armed Forces."
As the magnitude of the Arsenal's effort and scope of its activity enlarge, in step with the expanding defense program, Colonel Harris told the group that the need was felt for enlisting the aid of top scientists to advise Arsenal technologists in the planning and execution of Arsenal projects and to point the way toward new fields of research.
"As heavier armor is developed by aggressor nations, heavier armor-piercing weapons must be produced by our nation," said Colonel Harris.
In requesting the men to add to the already numerous demands on their time and energy, the Picatinny commanding officer said, "There are few activities in which you can make a more positive and constructive contribution to the nation's defense than in this service."
The specific mission of Picatinny Arsenal is to conduct research and development on ammunition and explosives; design, develop and test ammunition and its packing; operate laboratories and testing facilities; coordinate research and development in ammunition with other organizations, and to determine suitable materials for ammunition including raw materials and substitutes.