HAR 2 49F%
modifications or utilization.
Selection (probably of an Escort
Carrier type) should be made of a vessel on its way or scheduled
for mothballing. The vessel should not be of a type of high
potential need by the DOD, such as is the case with a Hospitaltype ship. The ship will be jointly manned by Holmes & Narver
and MSTS or Ships Company personnel. The acquisition of a
diagnostic ship would provide a facility for "quickie" tests of
smaller over-all magnitude at less cost than other methods.
Costs:
sag
Even a cursory analysis of the additional costs associated with
the establishment of Taongi Atoll as a shot location mst give
consideration to the fact that resulting savings in operational
and maintenance costs would accrue as a result of reduced length
of an operational period.
Generally, we believe the cost implica-
tion to be of not paramount importance, in a properly adjusted
perspective. Safety should be foremost and then time savings
which cannot be fairly evaluated on cost alone. ‘The Research and
Development program has historically had high valuation where time
is the essence in program goals.
The cost analysis presented below has, of necessity, been based
upon rather general estimates, the validity of which has not been
checked in detail. However the basic figure representing the
initial development cost of Taongi will be found to be more conservative than as indicated in the UCRL proposal. Against this
initial cost of the development of Taongi, we have given consideration to savings resulting from a shortened operational period based
upon REDWING experience of incremental costs of proving ground
.
operation and maintenance. We have also included a factor to
cover the potential loss of our investment in Nan temporary camp
facilities in the event the HARDFACK program includes any high
yield shot (at Bikini instead of Taongi) of sufficient magnitude
to destroy the Nan facilities. Currently there is no information
available as to operating cost of the diagnostic and firing ship.
We have therefore estimated $550,000 per year, based on $2,500 a
day during an operational period and $1,000 a day during the
remaining interim period.
The computation anticipates that the
ship will be in operational status approximately 125 days.
(continued)