3 rel a ® ri ta t 23, The cost to the AEC of conducting the HARDTACK program has been estimated by extrapolating REDWING costs, taking into of account the decrease in the unit cost per shot as the number shots increases. These estimates are made without complete knowledge of the extent or cost of AEC participation in the UHA -and VHA Prime shots. In order to support a 3l-shot program using only Bikini and Eniwetok Atolls, the cost to the AEC in terms of test construction and site operation would be about S48 million. About $40 million of the total would accrue in FY 1958 and exceed by about $5.3 million the cost budgeted for overseas testing in the FY 1958 budget. For the 27-shot program the total cost would be about $46.6 million and that for FY 19538 about $36.6 million or about $3.9 million in excess of the BY 1958 budget. 24, Tf Taongi is developed as a test site, these costs would increase. The total cost of developing Taongi, including the outfitting and operation of a diagnostic and firing shin, is estimated at $6.1 million. Although savings in reduced damage to structures and equipment at Bikini and in reduced time in the atoll are expected to approximate $3.7 million, some of these | savings probably would not be realized until FY 1959 and FY 1960, Therefore, for the 27-snot programs and if Taongi is used, about ‘44.7 million in costs would acerue in FY 1958, or about $10.0 million over the cost level budgeted for that fiscal year. Appendix "a" ey ~ 19 -