The last subject discussed by Mri Henderson was the thermonuclear
TwoStage
Weapons

weapon program,

The TX~l4, TX-16, and TX-17 constittte our emergency

thermonuclear capability.

TX-14 and TX-16 are to be retired,

There is

a program to develop a parachute for the TX-17 for a smaller time of :

fall than the presentze Automatic nuclear insertion is
being worked on.

.

Contact fuzing, desired for surface burst applications

is being worked on, but presents difficult problems,
available for at least two yearss

It will not be

Sy i

The TX-15 is the weapon considered to fill the ‘class-C IN
TX-15

requirement.

dandia has assumed responsibility for the detailed

internal engineering of this weapon, and has thus become, for the
first time, involved in nuclear design,

subject to control by Los Alamos,

is scheduled for April 30, 1955.

The particular program is

The first delivery to the stockpile

The bombis engineered for storage

as a completely assembled unit, except for the tail fins,

It is

equipped with barometric and proximity fuzes; some consider contact
fuzing a "must",

|

The 17,400 1b TX-21 is in its infancy.

Mr, Henderson said that

a lightened version might eventually take the place of the TX-15 in
filling the class C requirement.

The TX-21 appears to be compatible

with the B-58 aircraft (Hustler).
An effort will be made to standardize the fuzing in the differert
thermonuclear weapons.
_ Consact

Fuze
Dirficulties

_ There were some questions and discussions by the group, mainly on

fuzing for surface burst applications.
~

ee

There seems to be a divergence
.

,

eS

sy

Select target paragraph3