jcammmnale : wa bk ie a Inoreascd participation by tho Department of Defense in tho weapons program should be justified not only by the availability of facilities and talent, but by the establishmont of a more effective control than presently exists. It . appears that the chartering of a Department of Defense agency toward this end 4s necessary. Furthermoro, it is apparent that any agency with such powers - vested in it must be oxpable of rising above the interests of individual : Services and should possoss outstanding competence in tho atomic ordnance field. 24, It 4s to the national interest that the Services participate as much e@: possible, particularly in those areas whore the Department of Defense has existing facilities and greater experionce. In some fields, like the develop- ment of ballistic shapes, aerodynamics, tosting, power supplics, handling equipment, and packaging, it is evident that Dopartment of Defense laboratorics and personnel possess broad experience through long association with the many probloms from weapon conception to delivery. There is little doubt thot in many instances it is more appropriate to delegate control of a development to ) the Department of Defense than to vost it in a civilian contractor. F It is Ea ronely indicated that, pending a clear determination of ultimate responsibilities, the Atomic Energy Commission and Department of Defense should ee eee - « wee . ) ( Such o Clarificetion would improve the joint AEC-DOD cffort, would improve \ . ) attempt to define responsibilities before projects are accepted and begun. / relationships and might obviate the military's having subordinate responsibi- ) | lities in arcas where it has the major intcrest. 25. Procurement and Production - The Department of Defense docs relatively little production in its integral facilities in relation to the total production unde: cilitary cognizance; however, there are many laboratories, depots, arsorals, gun factories, and navy yards which arc manned by personnel of extraordinary qualifisationse These installations are, or would be, exceptionally uscful for development fabrication and for usc as job shops. The majority of mili- tary production is accomplished by civilian industry and toward this end the three Services through ycars of experience have developed competont procurement organizations for administering contracts from negotiation through accoptanco. Tho procurement organization of the Department of Defense is so oxtensive that it covers practically tho entire industry of the United States, wd -12- oan