Artificial Rain (Research) Mr. Newens asked the Secretary of State for Defence what research has been initiated by his Department to study the creation of artificial rain as a weapon for use against a potential enemy on the basis of experience gained by the United States of America in Vietnam. Mr. John No research has been conducted by the Ministry of Defence into the production of artificial rain as a weapon of war. Studies of the physical processes which produce rain do not suggest that additional rain can be produced in sufficient quantity or with sufficient reliability to have any significant effect on military operations. The experience of countries undertaking weather modification operations for non-military purposes confirms this.