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LOS ALAMOS SCIENTIFIC LABORATORY
(ConTRACT W-7405-BNG-36)
P. O. Box 1663
LOS ALAMOS, NEW MEXICO
“EN REPLY
REFER TO:
pra-806
,
3. Fielis
Brig. Generel KE.
Loo
20 February 1953
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REVIEWOATES
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ANS
AMINAT
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Cisjatun
aaa, SCONTAINS NO DOE CLASWEL WHO |
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Of Milita
P 8. or
1 CACADINATEWITH:
2N0 feview-care:
Energy Commission
Atemic
VU.
Washingten 25, BD. 6.
Nae Boe
SERSro GRACKETED
Vier © ££. Tyler, Memger, Sents Te Operations Office
Dear General Fields:
Sanitized by NN-523
on a]3/4f
2.
Reference te mée to THX 8-125 dated 17 February from Euston to Tyler
quoting Bethe on the question of the advisability ef substituting en air
érop for a surface shot ef Runt or Jughesd im Operation CASTIZ. We find
curselves in strong disagreement with this suggestion for Operation CASTLE
eithough we heave, of course, a0 objection to a DO effects progrem at a
later éate under asppropriste sircumstances if this seems necessary to
them. Our reasons for preferring the present eperational pien follov.
2.
In spite of the fact that the devices to be tested im Operation CASTLE
are being designed with “emergency capadility” ia mind, the operation is
primarily an experinentel test program in the field ef weapon development.
Accordingly, the diagnostic experiments are still ef the highest importance
for it is not expected thet the design of radiation implosion weapons or
their further improvement vill stop with this test program. Therefore, we
strongly believethat no step should be taken which diminishes the szount
of appropriate and relevant experimental informtion which can be obtained.
Every effort is being made to simplify the experimental progres and to
include only those experiments whieh are essential and have «@ proper
balance between their eost and the isformtion whieh they give. Kovever,
ell ehots presently ere expected to sarry ainimm sous
rinental
observations including the behavior of the primry bond (slphe),
radiation transit time to the cvconiary|bomb, end
tthe
the pastographte
>
behavior
of the ease.
3.
Le
The Jughead is presently planned sot es BaORves
walle
shot anti it is hele het tee'moct extensive fustewmental sheervetions12
be carried ont an this experinent. The reusiader of the Los Alamos shots
ere planneé es barge abots located pear atoll islands se that photographic
ani other observations can be mde on them. We would regard it as
edeclutely impossible, vere it othervise desireable, to drop the Jughead
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