SECTION ITI PROPOSAL FOR IR BURST AND SURFACD SHOT OVER DEUP WATER ii t The DCD has made two proposals for the Castle tests which they to explore at this time and if possible reach a decision on. a. (\f ie Ag (puRsT LA Scoviihe described how this proposal arose. These In the last meeting of the Committee.on itamic Energy, Or. Bethe brought up the subject that he considered'|,ieJnighly desirable to airburst a large-yield weapon at approaching<an operational height. This was discussed to a slight extent by the members of the CAZ, with mention also of the advantages here for testing the whole: delivery system as well as obtaining scientific information, and they recommended itbe investigated. AFS/P representatives then talked with General Fields (Paul Fine and Col Huston were also there) and they said they would initiate tie, investigation of the possibility of having one of the shots changed fran,|rate to an air burst on Castle. —— oO) One of the primary s given br Bethe was evidence fram Mike Shot that there was possibly s ting of the atmosphere. This evidence could also indicate refractién’ to atmospheric inhomogeneities. One of the other interests from the ry standpoint is an opportunity to compare thermal radiation resul 5 King Shot with a larger weapon. Ogle outlined the present status of this proposal. It reached LASL about two weeks ago and there was a ting here of the people concerned. The conclusion of that meeting was +t we are very mich opposed to such a shot. There are two reasons. J Division could probably carry out the tests, but it would be mich more of a 1 e second and more important reason is that we have nothing to air drop within that time. The bombs that are to be prooftested at Castle will built in such a manner that theoretically they could be dropped from a pl. etc.), but in fact none of the ballistics will (eege, they will have fins, have sufficient tests an them by that time. For example, the air drops pm the systems will not be done until something like aiyear May. We are umilling to put on these bombs, which we don't know Yery mich about, the additional uncertainty that comes about because of te to carry then around in a plane, then drop them and not know exactly-“wWhat they are like the last half hour or so. [n\ So, from the point of view of LASL. the bembs will datpe in such a situation that the Laboratory would be willing to drop tem, Fran J Divisionts point of view, we would have to carry both methods of testing forward, then