“Mr. LeBaron
om
weapon progress. Any alternative plan such as postponing a portion
of tha shots umtil the Pall of 195) would be uneconomic and harmful
to either the lomediate “energency capability" crorram or future
progress in the ficld of thermonuclear weanons.
The earliest Leasiblou date for scheduling the start of the CASTie
tests is March 1, 195).
This is based on the rate of supply of
lithium=6, the bime required for fabrication, shipment, and assenbly
of Weapon components, and the sched:les for construction of tes
‘sites and Installation of equipment at BIKTN? and ENIN:TOK, work on
which is underway in both places.
“eports prepared by the iiviston of Military Application, los
Alamos Selentific Laboratory, and the Imiversity of California
Sacdlation Laboratory, Livermore, are anclosed as background infor-=
mation relative to the CASTLE program and for detailed information
relative to the weapon prototypes and test. devices to he explored,
Appended to the Los ilamos report are vossibie production schedules
for the emergency capability period. These schedules ara being
reconsidered in lirht of the recently received Joint Thiefs of
staff's vequirements for thermonuclear weaporis.
™ summary, CASTL’ plans are as follows:
geenemtETN {OF
b.
The first test will be scheduled for March 1, 199h,
and the Sequence, exact dates, and locations cD the various tests
wlll be determ ned by the Commander of Joint task Poree Seven
in conjunction with the Los Alamos and UCiieLivermore Laboratories.
Assurance of the Dspartment of Defense support of this very
important program is requested.
cineceraly yours,
tye
Lewis L. “trause
,
Chairman
.
oo
Inclosures¢’
AU = CASTLE Prorram Background,
on
,
& Discussion prepared by MA, Cpy 1A
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