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PART IT
NITED STATES NAVPARTICIPATION AND COMPETENCE IN THE ATOMIC WEAPONS PROGRAM
1.
Enclosed herein is a list of tasks and areas which give a fairly comore-
hensive ceverage of the atomic weapons field.
Aligned with these taske and areas
are statements as to Naval participation and descriptions of certain pertinent
e@apabilities which taken together give a strong indication that a competence exists
within the Navy for providing greater and more responsible assistance to the atomic
weapons program.
Naval assistance to the atomic weapons program has been so ex-
or and there are so many areas where additional competence exists that it is
impracticable to furnish a complete list.
It is believed, however, that the list-
ings belew show the nature and potentials of Naval support to the program and
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indicate sufficient competence to undertake any task likely in the future with a
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streng probability of successful accomplishment,
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2.
Although the atomic weapon field is broken down into component tasks and
areas, some of the working agencies expressed a strong opinion that tasks should
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ngt be assigned te them in such a piecemeal fashion,
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It was felt that a better
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weapon and one which would be closer integrated into its weavon system would result if the weapon were developed in toto by the Navy with its packaging and handling and test equipment included.
3.
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Suggestions are presented as to the assign_nt within the Navy of those
tasks which the AEC contemplates using military assistance,
it is recommended that the development of complete weapons which are assigned to th
Navy be assigned to the cognizance of the Bureau of Ordnance.
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In general, however,
An exception is made
in the case of guided missiles having the characteristics of an aircraft, which
Should be assigned to the Bureau of Aeronatices,
This opinion is based on the fact
that the Bureau of Ordnance is unique in having integral facilities and a wide rang
of talents in sufficient strength te accomplish practically all phases of the research and development of a weapon for any weapon system.
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GUTER CASE ~ Implosion Bombs
The Bureau of Ordnance (BuOrd) and the Naval Proving Ground, Dablgren
(NPG) provided considerable assistance in the development of the Fi 156) shape.
BuOr* handled manufacture and procurement of the shape and other mechanical parts
wit hthe
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Naval Ordnance Plant (NOP), Centerline, doing most of the work assisted by
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