Brig. General Alfred D. Starbird
“kh.
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 cese with a Hospitaltype ship. The ship will be jointly manned by Holmes & Narver
end MSTS er Ghips Company personnel. The acquisition of a
diagnostic ship would provide e facility for "quickie" teste of
emaller over-all magnitudes at less cost than other methods.
Costs:
Even a cursory analysis of the additional costs associated with
the establishment of Taongi Atoll as a shot location must give
cansideration to the fact that resulting savings in operational
and maintenance costs would accrue eas a result of reduced leazti
of an operational period. Generally, we delieve the cost implication to be of not paramount importance, in a properly adjusted
perspective.
Safety should be foremcet and then time savings
which cannot be fairly evaluated on cost alone. The Research and
Development program has historically had high valuation wuere 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 cnnservative than as indicated in the UCRL proposal. Against this
initial cost of the development of Taonsi, we have given considera-
tion to savings resulting from a shortened operational peri od based
upon REDWING experience of incremental costs of provins 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 HARDTACK program includes any high
yield shot {at Bikini instead of Taongi) of sufficient magnitude
to destroy the Nan facilities. Currently there is mo information
available as to operating cost of the diagnostic and firing ship.
We have therefore estimated $550,000 per year, based on $2,500 «
day Guring an operational period ani $1,000 a day during the
remaining interim period.
The computation anticipates that the
ship will be in operational status approximately 125 days.
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