Improved Sun Compass.--A sun
โข compass with improved accuracy, versatility and operational range has been developed by the Corps of Engineers' Research and Development Laboratories, Fort Belvoir, Va. Now military standard, the new universal sun compass provides a means for land navigation at all north or south latitudes, and can be used with many navigational stars. A clock mechanism provides for the mechanical tracking of the sun or stars. Its predecessor was limited in its daytime operation from the equator to 45 deg. north or south latitudes and it could be used only with the North Star.
Although simple in design, light in weight, and compact, the improved compass is of rugged construction to provide long life under severe conditions encountered in military use. Weight of the instrument, without carrying case, is approximately nine pounds.
The compass is provided with a weatherproof carrying case, and is designed to permit rapid mounting of c~/se and compass on vehicles. The compass is also readily removable from its case for mounting on a vehicle or for other uses.
Specialist training for operation of the compass is not required. Unit training in advanced map reading, supplemented by approximately two hours instruction, or previous experience, in star identification, and one hour in actual operation of the sun compass will suffice for the average soldier.