The computer work at WRE did more than satisfy the trials requirements. It has continued on into the many Australian projects and research work which are described later. It also provided the nucleus of leaders in the computing field. Ovenstone, using this experience, set up the central data processing system for the Department of Defence. Many others took leading positions in academia and in commerce.

Malkara and Ikara

A light wire-guided anti-tank weapon (1000 yards, 9 Ib warhead) was chosen as a learning project.[36] While it was in its evaluation stage, the British Army issued a specification for a more powerful weapon with a 50 Ib warhead and longer range. The prospect of production at reasonable levels was sufficient to divert effort from the Australian project. The Government Aircraft Factory became Design Authority, the research was undertaken at ARL, MRL and at Salisbury. An important component of the work was the advanced computer simulation of the developing weapon characteristics. J. M. Evans was responsible for co-ordination of research.

Successful trials in 1956 led to an order for 150 rounds of the weapon -now called MALKARA -and acceptance trials in the United Kingdom showed a success rate of 90 per cent. The weapon was, however, not adopted by the Australian Army, which maintained that it was unnecessarily heavy. Subsequent weapons studies overseas confirmed their view.

10 Malkara

In spite of this disappointing outcome, the technical skills used in development and management were not wasted. An initially reluctant Royal Australian Navy was persuaded to support studies into the feasibility of a radio controlled rocket delivering a homing torpedo to the vicinity of submarine targets. Advances in sonar, in computing and torpedoes, when coupled with the successful experiences of Malkara and Jindivik gave confidence for a successful outcome.

The Navy, now enthusiastic, and Department of Supply undertook joint management of the new project, which was called IKARA.[37] Shipboard magazine and handling was designed and manufactured by the non-government Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation. The Department of Supply (which of course included the ADSS) was responsible for the torpedo carrier, parachute deployment, radar and the shipboard computer. Seventy-five per cent of the funds were spent in industry. The complexity of the weapon system and the need to plan its development towards acceptance trials in accordance with Navy plans for ship refit, introduced a major task of co-ordination. A. Sharpe was mainly responsible for this planning, while J. M. Evans and E. J. Trehearne shared responsibility of technical aspects.

11 Ikara

Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering