-1]-
it is unlikely that the first shot could occur much before the end of March, 1960.
Thereafter, testing (in the existing holes) could occur probably 30 to 60 days
after such a public announcement, providing adequate preparations at the test
site had been initiated well in advance.
Since it is impossible to make active
preparations for testing in Nevada in secret,
the period of really active
preparation must come after a Presidental announcement.
We also propose to request that the AEC now accede to an early request of this
laboratory, namely that the digging of 1200 ft. holes to contain shots up to 10 Kt.
proceed at such priority as you deem appropriate and that we be informed of the
date when 2-4 such holes will be available.
Furthermore, we believe that there
should be an immediate and active study of the problem of how (and when) we can
they can be used to
ei
establish the fact that beyond any doubt that a particularsystem will “work”
in
an overall way and may therefore provide the DOD with adequate assurance for its
purposes.
Naturally, we would be more interested in experiments at full yield,
and perhaps you can assure us that the containment of such shots will be not be
unduly expensive or delayed in time.
Furthermore, if we are in error in our
assumption that testing in the atmosphere or in the gravitational field of the
earth is to@unlikely at this point to warrant any procurement or preparational
effort, we would appreciate being so informed.
Tinally, for the purposes of this
year's programatic statement, we are ignoring the practical possibilities of
testing in outerspace."
Along the lines of nuclear development, a list is attached with the specific
devices and their applications and the planned operational available dates.