Discussion at this meeting was addressed to a desire by the DOD to
Onna
.
as
4d
test the Nike-Hercules missile in a full scak’ configuration in Nevada
with a nuclear warhead.
with attaining complete
The discussion addressed mamly the problems
safety and the reason why the DOD wants this
safety test atithe NTS rather than in the Pacific.
Onthe questicn of test detection, ''Floberg said that during a discussion
the previous day with representative Holifield and Mr.
Vance, Holifield
had asserted that, in his opinion, the AEC weapons lab were following
a policy of de-~emphasizing the possibility of accurate long range
weapons test detection,
Floberg said he Believed this was absolutely
untrue but that since the charge had been made , an investigation should
be undertaken to determine whether it had any basis in fact."
The commisssioners approved, on 16 April, a letter to the GAC asking
them to address the adequacy of the commissions present underground
test program and how the weapons program might be conducted if only
underground testing were permitted at their 58th meeting,
to be held
5-7 May.
Meeting #1359, 21 April 58:
This was the first meeting at which the tests which later became
Argus, were brought up and the discussion was led by General Loper.
He discussed the proposal as it had already been presented to Killian and
Quarles, among othr pecple.
Noted was that the proposal and the concept
of the Argus effect came generally from Livermore and that LASL
that such possible tests certainly deserved serious consideration,
Mention was made that the shots needed to
be done at a much higher