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The VELA Program, while directed primarily toward evaluation and development of methods of monitoring a treaty of test cessation, is also related
heavily to the success of our intelligence efforts.
In addition the PLOWSHARE
Program, which is a study of the peaceful applications of nuclear explosions,
can derive large amounts of critical information from explosions for other purposes.
However, to explore all the potentialities, specific explosions wili be
necessary to support both of these programs.
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What are the necessary environmental requirements to meet the various
stated objectives?
In other words, can the necessary data be obtained by
underground tests alone or do other environments need to be considered?
These
are best discussed by category, as follows:
1.
Weapons Development
Many of the essential data for weapons development can be obtained
through underground testing; however, tests to satisfy development requiremen: a
for our larger weapons may be and probably are beyond the capabilities of undere
ground testing, which probably cannot be economically extended above a few
hundred kilotons.
The specific areas of weapons development that would require
such large yields are:
a.
Large cleanbombs where propagation of the thermonuclear
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