A2 May TWX from Brown to Starboard answers the previous TWX's questions
and lists in detail the time sequence and corresponding yields for various
a
<5 ‘y
weapons development to reach such goals as a 6,000 LB., 50 Megaton
development, a 2000 LB., 12 Megaton
development, etc.
After going through
extensive discussions of which of the various developments sequences
“could be done under the two scenariog
therefore what level of weapons could
“could be tested and undetected, Brown
that Starboard had set forth and
be developed provided these levels
qtates while this is all completely
speculative, it is however indicative of Same of the kinds of advances that
could be made by tests carried out in the next four years (and past two
years) clandestinely by the Soviets.
Further Brown states "the list is
princtpally concerned with large weapons because those are the kind which
might require tests in the range [0 KT and above.
The tactital weapons,
which we consider would be capable of producing an equal or greater imbalance
in nuclear capability, can all be done with tests in the kiloton range,
of whose easy concealability there can be no question."
All this seems to
point to the fact that we are either trying like mad to identify just what
we can do in the way of development and still hide it, or more fikely, the
most speculative guess as just what the Soviets might have been doing and
still be able to do under certain test ban
agreements.
l
i report on "Proposed LASL/Sandia Vela Hote
- 3.May 1960, LASL/Sandia
d Fx
dule
notes shots sche
Experiment for the Ranger A-| and A-2 Probes";
for April and June 1961.
opece. Crunches