“cor
@
@
Gradual incorporation of small atomic weapons in U.5. defense is 4
long-planned policy dovelopmont, having no relation to current events.
Installation of air defense weapons does not mean that the governmons
has any specific expectation of air attacks, It is well Imown that,
popding international agreement on safeguarded disarmement, the U.S.,
«© other responsible governments, must take prudent steps to guard egcinst
possible atteck in the futuro, It ean be expested that other small atomic
weapons will become a pert of the U.S. defense posture aa they become
perfected through research,
The perfecting of nuclesr warheads for alr defense rockets is an
of the duvelopment of small nuclear weapons through resocarch
and testing. Development of defensive weapons has been an important
objective of Urlted States nuclear tests for some tine. The Atomic
Energy Commisrion stated, in ita 19th semi-annual report in July, 1955,
that the Neve’a nuclear test series of that year included "high altitule
atomic detonvtions required in comection with development of nuclear
warheads to ce used against attacking enemy aircraft".
AEC Chairman
Strauss stried in July 23, 1956 that the 1956 Pacific nuclear test series
resulted iz "further development of methods of defense against attack".
The uir defense rockets, like small nuclear weapons generally, ere
designed to inflict maximun demige on an enemy, bub offer little or no
risk te civilian populations, The importent point ebout a small nucisar
weapon or warhead is simply that it supplies far greater firepower then
convery;ional explosives. But fallout is very much less than for the
darg’s weapons, those usually identified as "atomic bombs", ‘This ie
becerse the amount of fallout, or residual radiation, varies greatly
wits the size of the weapons. It also varices greatly as between explesivas at or near the ground aud those high in the air.
In the case of
tra air defense rockets, wiers explosions would take place at a acim
“derable altitude, the fallout would be negligible,
_