1, Monthly Report a. Production Mr, Bloch reported on the progress of construction of production facilities. With regard to the problem of U-232 contamination in U-233, he said that a staff paper is being prepared which will review the problems in U-233 production which have been encountered thus far. (See AEC 706/11, subse- quently circulated.) He observed, however, that these problems might result in a delay of perhaps a year in achieving U~233 production, Mr, Libby observed that the emergence of the U-232 contamination problem suggests that the development cf the centrifuge process of isotopes separation should be accelerated and emphasizes the importance of the homogeneous reactor whose continuous fuel processing system vould largely eliminate contamination, General Fields said iat new developments in DOD thinking on thermonuclear weapons might result in less stringent requirements for low g/t plutonium, with a consequent decrease in the urgency of the U-233 program, At this point the Chairman entered the meeting. Mr, Bloch then reported on production rates of fissionable material for February. b. Military Application General Fields reported on the progress of Operation TEAPOT,. With regard to planning for future test operations he said it now appears that the staff will recommend that Operation DIXIE be combined with Operation REDWING, to be held in the Pacific during the spring of 1956, -~ 182 -