Philippines developed anti-typhoon rockets during Martial Law
Noong 1973, sa pamumuno ni dating pangulong Ferdinand E. Marcos, ang Pilipinas ay gumawa ng misayl upang mapigilan o mapahina ang mga darating na bagyo sa bansa. Ang tawag sa programa na yun ay “Rain Stimulation and Weather Modernization Program” at ito ay pinamunuan ni Col. Ramon Macabuhay. Basahin ang kabuuang detalye sa baba.
[Republic of the Philippines develops anti-typhoon rockets
by Alberto Rous, Ang Bayani Tribune, July 22-28, 1973
Weather rockets loaded with silver iodide crystals will soon be fired by the Philippine Air Force at storm clouds approaching the Philippines.
The project is part of the government’s “Rain Stimulation and Weather Moderation Program”, an ambitious plan to precipitate rainfall in drought-stricken areas and dissipate storms before they develop full-blown typhoons.
Col. Ramon Macabuhay, chief of air staff and director of the PAF Rainmaking Project said rockets to be used in the trials are now being readied, so with the aircraft from which the rain-making missiles will be launched or fired.
Macabuhay said firing the could-seeding rockets from a distance will protect the pilot and the aircraft from the hazards and turbulence of storm clouds — in short, eliminate the need of flying the plane right into the teeth of the brewing typhoon.
The rocket is similar to the ground-to-air -missiles used in warfare, but instead of an explosive warhead, it will have a wooden rocket head containing approximately half a pound of silver iodide.]