S
G. W. Johnson

contpennnll
Page Five

COPAA~317

and proof of scientific gear and stabilized platforms.
to

Transit time

E.P.G.

Phase I could be accomplished anywhere feasible on the U.S. Pacific
Coast but it is preferable to accomplish this phase near Livermore, if
practical, to expedite and coordinate diagnostic equipment design.
Again, with the thought that the ship is an AEC scientific station, we
request that Holmes and Narver assume the responsibility as an AEC
contractor for the design and execution of the shipboard modifications
necessary to fit her out for our purposes. This channel is established

between Task Groups 7.1 and 7.5 and we wish to follow it in handling
the ship modifications. The build up of civilian crew and some buildup

of H&N personnel aboard can be accomplished, from our viewpoint, during

Phases I, II and III.

It is planned that only a few diagnostics

personne] would make the trip from the Z.I. to EPG aboard the ship.

The technical requirements aboard also include the necessity for

the installation of the firing racks, weather radar, release tone equipment and other items essential to the detonation of a nuclear device
by radio.

All of this equipment mst be in an air conditioned space

subject to both temperature and humidity control.

Such equipment has

been housed in a room with an area of 300 square feet.

It is essential

that this equipment be aboard the same ship as the diagnostic equipment
for reasons of interlocking and close coordination with the diagnostics
and weapons group representatives during firing.
The most important technical requirement comprises the clear deck
area and its elevation above the water line in which diagnostic equipment can be mounted on stabilized platforms.
Designs of the scientific equipment are not yet finalized but
certain design parameters are mown. These parameters define the space
fairly well.

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A maximum of six stabliized platforms are required.
Weights to be carried on these platforms range from approximately 100 to 2,000 pounds.
All platform areas must be at least 20 feet above the waterline.
Two platform arees mat be at least 60 feet above the waterline.
The axis of the equipment placed on these platforms mst te
stabilized in continual coincidence with a line of sight toward
the zero site to an accuracy of +30° divergence.
:

Considerable information has been gathered on the possibility of
using radar tracked gun mounts for this purpose. Most, but not all,

of the weight loads to be accommodated are compatible with placement on

a 40 mm qued-mounting. We feel that at least one of the mounts should
be larger than a 40 mm quad. The U. S. Navy at Mare Island has forwarded
an estimate for the placement of a 40 mm twin mount on the flight deck
of a CVE as follows:
,

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