DMA Central File MRA-7 A\ Test Planning - 60 ——<aagr 61 ‘ 411724 Ltr (21 Jan 60) from Loper (Ch, MLC) to McCone (Ch, AEC): Notes President's recent announcement pertaining to test moratorium and says time may be to prepare joint AEC-DOD requirements of weapons for testing and plan for underground series so approval may be obtained to initiate preps requiring funds and effort.et need to ; a for unn@erground series. ee Oehn AEC neve ne really answered above until SES? - Loper ltr in July 60 after "events had made such specific test planning less worthwhile". Ar Ad AA A. A draft reply from Ch, AEC in April (not sent) noted NTS preps for 7 or 8 priority shots and response times ranging from 2 to 18 mos. for other shots mentioned by Loper. (Notes recent events "make it inappropriate at this time to sv_bmit specific proposals for early testing.') Another round of Loper discussion and Starbird response memo to McCone in Dec 60 & Jan 61 on possible benefits of nuclear testing. Note - in May 1960, efforts of ALO diverted from Succotash to Vela Uniform. No budget allowance between 1 Jun 60 and early 61 for test readiness at NTS - only for Vela Uniform. Jan 25, 1961 letter from Starbird to Reeves asks him to plan and do what can be done (in spite of budget restrictions) to work toward a "more complete test capability." General guidelines for possible NTS underground testing: 3 to 6 month readiness to do about 6 most important shots (abbreviated Succotash) plus longer range program Stresses there should be no impression that test resumption is imminent. Ad AS \ _ Above was in part in reply to Reeves letter to Starbird of Nov 10, 1960 of change in NTS readiness due to shift away from Succotash (LRL plan only$) to Vela Uniform. Detailed response of weapons and NTS tunnel preps needed and readiness dates from Harold Brown (LRL) on April 10, 1961. Notes changes (negative) since similar status report on 17 August 1960. 10 April 61 letter from Gen. Holloway (MLC, AF Member) to Betts asked AEC current requirements for AF support (e.g., sampling) and correctness of assuming 6 - 12 month build-up period. A37 14 Apr 61 TWX from Johnson (LRL) to DMA to do some preparing (cables, construction, instrumentation) at NTS to really be ready. 2 May 61 reply by Betts says NO due to current sensitivity. A3G "Possible Resumption of Weapons Tests''; says possibility of break-up at 2 May 61 itr from Pitzer (Ch, Gen. Adv. Com. to AEC}to Seaborg addresses Geneva makes it imperative AEC be prepared to resume tests. Tf BEST COPY AVAILABLE Further, he tee be APTOVEC PNERGY sooatone DOE A atery vio eres Wee Canteen "LOSE hoger Boy TQ oa Concad 2a Alder Tf f. ,