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requests for planning and coordinated response from the Laboratodrics in the
tay of test resumption.
Inthe begimning of the discussion of the technical
‘rogram, Foster states "Past experiences have taught us that a technically
neaninsful series of experiments at the rate and magnitude of the present
soviet Program requires something like a year of preparatory effort.
1ot now ready to compete with the Soviets.
Weare
We could within a few months make
some high-yield proof-tests of designs weaponized during the moratorium,
While such tests will provide a number of large explosions,
sontribute little to our progress.
they would probably
One of the major benefits to be derived from
she resumption of nuclear testing is the possibility of developing advanced
strategic warheads.''
Also he notes the area of warheads for tactical application
as one that should not be addressed extensively.
He divides up the response of
this letter into several sections as follows:
which dea's with the presently
scheduled series of a
1.
dozenor so specific devices whichare planned for
test in Nevada between now and August of 1962; another section which shows
additional experiments which could be fielded as early as early 1962 if the
program were accelerated and which Livermore feels are concepts which should
be developed
soon;
a third
section of broader kinds of device developments
which Livermore is addressing with theoretical work and physics experiments
and along ©" the testing may be headed; a fourth section section which lists
the proof tests in which Livermore is most interested;
and XW-58.
55.
They are less interested in proof-tests
XKW-56X1,
XW-38,
of the 41, 47, 48,
and
It is noted that some of these proof tests could also be used as systems
tests or in effects tests of such things as high altitude phemmenolopy.
A few
bricf remarks follow on the major problems with getting the testing program
unde rvay and at a high rate of speed and, along these lines, Fuster states:
In
Fb 66 & were Oe
/
Here is a 30 Septemb& letter from Foster to Betts in reply to the several