_ - ‘ ON tt, DELETED Research was continuing on thermonuclear weapons and, in response to Presidential directive, LASL had activated a "crash" development program in March 1950, New types projected to meet military desires included a nuclear shell for an artillery rifle. 2. JULY 1950 TO JULY 1953 During the first three years a basic structure of mission and supporting programs and resources was built. This preparation paid off heavily during the second three years when factors such as the Korean War and Russia's first nuclear tests greatly stimulated national requirements for numbers and varieties of weapons, and when scientific and technical achievements in turn presented new possibilities and brought new requirements, The need for more capacity to meet approved production schedules and the need for re- serve capacity if possible to meet any hot war buildup combined with other necessity— on such as that for new resources to support the thermonuclear program—to require again tremendous expansion and internal development. SFO amply fulfilled its increased ‘as- signments in weapons manufacture, and simultaneously enlarged its development and production plant system; reorganized, relocated and expanded its managementstruc- ture; and effected improvements in administrative procedures and operating techniques, and in costs of supporting and community programs. Highlights of Progress During the 1950 to 1953 Period In reviewing the progress made during the period, it will be helpful to bear in mind that the field operating structure, aside from that for weapons development, was built over the years to meet requirements of implosion weapons manufacture. Implosion manufacture was fully an AEC-SFO responsibility. The advent of gun-type and of mis- sile warhead programs inserted new factors such as assignment of some development and of much component production responsibility to the Military and its direct contrac- tors. Planners also had to anticipate the probability of success in thermonuclear development and to consider that manufacturing requirements would be added on top of requirements for other types and that there would be added variations in the extent of responsibility assigned to AEC orto the Military. Physical Plant Expansion of the physical plant by $297, 000, 000 brought the completed investment as of July 1953 to $471,000, 000 with $48, 000, 000 work in progress. Three new research and production plants were added: Pantex near Amarillo, Rocky Flats between Denver and Boulder, and a Cryogenics Engineering Laboratory at Boulder. Following an ex- tended site survey, construction was ready to begin on a Spoon River plant near Macomb, Illinois. Consideration had been given to another plant for high explosives production to round out facilities needed, based on established military requirements. Six War Re- serve storage sites were built and construction of two others was being planned. Following an extended site survey, the Nevada Proving Grounds was activated and minimum facilities built. DOr The Pacific Proving Grounds’ Eniwetok facilities were enlarged and