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During World War II, Oerlikon's guns were fired by both sides. For selling to the Nazis, the company was blacklisted (i.e., prevented from dealing with the U.S.). But the U.S. needed the guns too, and got the plans from the British, who had been licensed to manufacture them. By war's end the U.S. had turned out 300,000 20-mm. antiaircraft Oerlikons without the company's permission. On Navy combat ships, the potent 203 were often the last line of defense against low-flying planes. For all this, Bührle collected nothing. He filed a $30 million royalty suit against the U.S., was turned down by a federal court for filing too late, and is now appealing the decision. Nevertheless, Buhrle agreed to set up a U.S. plant, and named Wolfe boss.
Answer to a Prayer? So far, Wolfe has landed no big defense contracts on his own hook. His company is in limited production of fire-control equipment for the Air Force. When it gets into full swing with some 4,000 workers later this year, it will probably turn out a 3.15-in. air-to-ground aircraft rocket which Oerlikon in Switzerland is already making for the U.S. Oerlikon is also developing a 30-mm. automatic cannon which it thinks may be the answer to Air Force prayers for more firepower if cannons, not rockets, are the answer. The Air Force is getting ready to give it a trial, though it suspects that it is too heavy (445 Ibs.).
If the new 30-mm. is not accepted, Wolfe will start working on something else. Says Wolfe: "If we build the best, the U.S. will have to buy it." And if Oerlikon proves that it can build the best, the Air Force in the future will be able to spell out what it wants in a gun—just as it now does for planes—and let private enterprise figure out a way to make it.