extent not heretofore appreciated the fallout effect of nuclear explosions."
Dr. Willard F. Libby, member of the Commission,
informed the American Association for the Advancement of
Science on October 12, 1956, that particular attention was
given in the REDWING test series to the problem of largescale fallout.
Dr. Libby said:
"A major effort was made to produce a megaton
range weapon with an inherently smaller amount of fallout
for a given energy release.
This effort was successful."
President Eisenhower stated on October 24, 1956,
that "the most recent tests enable us to harness and discipline our weapons more precisely and effectively -drastically reducing their fallout and making them more
easy to concentrate, if ever used, upon military objec-—
tives.
Further progress along this line is confidently
expected..."
The Commissionts 21st Semi-Annual Report to the
Congress, covering the period July-December, 1956, also
stated:
"Operation Redwing gave important information relating to developing means of reducing fallout from weapons firing."
As recently as May 21, 1957, Commissioner Libby,
speaking before the American Society of Military Engineers,
said that as result of weapons development and tests, "the
amount of radioactive fallout per megaton of explosive power
is very greatly reduced."
He added:
"T believe this is a most important development
because it would minimize the potential health hazards to
those who are far from the scene of battle if nuclear weapons are used,"
The Commission is encouraged by the progress made
in the development of weapons having reduced radiological
fallout and intends to continue its efforts in this direction.
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