§
Ronorable W. Sterling Cole
~2-=
We have ronghly estimated the total of such expenditures through
1949 at $2,000,000. For subsequent years our estinstes include-
an appropriate share of the operating costs of the los Alems —
Sclentifie Laboratory and, starting with 1953, the thermonuclear
wrk at the University of California Radiation Laboratory; esti~nates as to full scale tests and active materlal costes estimated
costs of other contractors in the program such as the American
Car and Foundry Company, the Caubridge Corporation, the National,
Bureau of Stendards, ete. A summary of these costs, exclusive of
investment in plant and equipment, ie shown below and compared
vith total ANC operating expenditures, as you requesteda
Operating Expenditures =
*
Cn Millions of Dollars)
Direcboo
Thermonuclear
1943-1949
-
.
2.0
1950
1951
1952
6.0
31.0
£30
21953
61.0
€ of Direct
Total AEG
Research
Thermonuclear
Expenditures
+
oe
.. Research
1,551 &
ol
292.6
AUb 2
565.0
207
FS
73
~
716.0
~~
8.5
I must enphasize that these figures are extrenely rough approximae
tions but they are thse best that can be developed without consider~
able detailed research, I have limited the above estimates te
opereting costs and have not attempted to assign capital costs te
thermonuclear research. I am furnishing you estimates of the
capital costs for thermonuclear weapon production by separate cone
respondence in answer to your letter of July 31, 1953.
if I can bs of further assistance in this matter please let me knows
eat dee
Sincerely yours,
p——-
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Lewis L, Streuss
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Department cf Energy
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