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40908
OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
WASHINGTON 25, D. ¢,
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
RD-CAE 205/2
September 17,
Mr. Lewis L. Strauss, Chairman
Atomie Energy Commission
1901 Constitution Avenue
Washington 25, D. Cc.
Attention:
Thru:
Bpig. Gen. Kenneth E. Fields, Director
Division of Military Application
The Chairman, Military Liatson Committee to the
Atomic Energy Commission
Dear Mr,
Strauss:
Consideration of the effects of nuclear weapons, part:
those with high yields, indicates that radioactive fall-out
contémination are among their most important characteristics
indeed may be one of the factors governing their use in some
situations.
It
also appears that it may be possible to control tc
consideraple extent, by different weapon designs, the relat:
amounts of long-lived radioactive products per megaton of tc
energy yield.
It is understood that the AEC is gathering ir
tion as to special materials which could be added or substit
enhance or diminish the radioactive contamination,
For your information, the Department of Defense is cor
the broac espects of the contamination problem as well as tt
detailed overational factors which would influence the degre
contamination,
These studies when combined with the result:
your investigation should enable the Department of Defense
decide whether or not there is need for high yield weapons \
different contaminating characteristics than those for whict
military characteristics are now specified,
Cooperation of the AEC is requested in the investigat:
this problem,
The immediate need is for @ better understan
of all the pertinent facts.
Sincerely,
BEST COPY AVAILABLE
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