| NS
nd
This document consists of
=
Copy No. 26of 23
_i9
Pages.
Series
A
ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION |
SPECIAL ATOMIC DETONATION FOR WEAPONS EFFECTS
AND @RATNING
~
Report by the Director of Military Application-
THE PROBLEM
Ll. To consider the advisability of one or more special
atomic detonations designed primarily for obtaining effects data
to satisfy civil defense requirements and permit military training |
and
orientation.
BACKGROUND
mes geeRSeNNNnaeSegace
2, Both the Department of Defense and the Federal Civil
Defense Administration appear to have increasing need for furtnering
their knowledge of weapons effects.
The pressure of international
tens ton adds a critical time element to
the desire for additional
data on woapons effeets engendered by the growing and more
“flexible atomic capabilitics of the U.S.
The probability of
inereased Soviet atomic capability also adds to the pressure.
3, The FCDA has already proposed training and orientation
be
reguirements (Sce AEC 432) considered impracticable under security
and operational restrictions necessary to currently planned
development tests.
The AEC has indicated (Sec AEC 432/1) its
teemmical capability to perform a separate test for this purpose
should one be formally approved by the President.
The Department
of Defense,
its willingness
by separate action,
has also expressed
to furnish nominal logistic support for a separate test,
requested.
_
pees
‘
sry?
fo
et
:e
if
From a purcly military point of view, however,
a
+
cra ETAL 5}
g
the