fe fom( -9- At. 3:35 p.m, the Chairman left the meeting; Dr. Buckley presided in his absence. - The latest increases in estimated cost of Li-6 are due to troubles with the stirrers and the baffles of the Flex process. Dr. Libby asked why the cstimated cost of the new plant showed the same unit cost for Li-6§ as the first plant, instead of reflecting any improvements. Dr. Pittman said the figure was the best budget estimate that could be given at the moment, but that the plant would probably cost less than the estimate. With respect to tritium, General Fields said that an enriched loading Tritium will soon be made in the DR pile at Hanford, that the excess reactivity in Production the first two Savannah River reactors will be used for tritium production, and that the third one is to be fully enriched (operation in about a year from now). The following are targeted yearly production figures for - tritium: or vray ibe bee cee SN At 3:40 p.m. the Chaimnan returned. General Fields said it is hoped to accumlate field data on logistics, necessary handling facilities, etc., for boosted implosion weapons, There an exists a requirement for a limited number of re Thermonuclear weapons could use up most of the projected tritium production, The FY 54 tritium figures are essentially decisions, the FY 55 figures will be, those. for FY 56 are tentative. General Fields felt the figures were not too high, wee DOT ARCHIVES plegeret . 7 - - - 59

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