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APPENDIX "BE"
DRAFT LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT
1. A number of low yield nuclear devices for early entry
into our defense stockpile, or important. to the most rapid
advancement of improved weapons designs, will require testing
in calendar year 1957.
Such tests would include:.
the proof-
firing of certain air defense and anti-submarine weapons
scheduled for early production;
research ar development shots
of fission devices of advanced design and for possible later
production; and research shots of components of new type
| thermonuclear devices.
In addition, the Department of Defense
and the Federal Civil Defense Administration have indicated
a need to secure from any test series this year certain effects
data important to the protection of our populace and military
forces.
shots,
A portion of this data can be secured from diagnostic
However, one or more special shots designed specifically
to secure such effects information may be required,
The Depart-
ment of Defense Wishes also to conduct a systems test involving
an air burst of the nuclear warhead in the new USAF air-to-air
rocket following its launching from an interceptor aircraft.
Finally,
it will be necessary during the year to conduct certain
safety tests -- tests wherein the high explosive is detonated
to prove that no nucléar reaction will occur if the weapon,
while safed, is subjected to fire or accident, and to determine
any contamination which might result from the spread of nuclear
material from weapons involved in fire or accident,
2. We currentiy estimate that some 25 nuclear shots will
be required during the year and five or more safety tests,
It
is estimated that this number of shots will require about five
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Appendix "E"