150. Memorandum for the Record Prepared by McCone, November 121
SUBJECT
- Discussion with Dr. Teller—12 November 1962
Dr. Teller had breakfast with me on Monday morning, November 12th.
We reviewed at some length the results of our nuclear testing program. [text not declassified]
Dr. Teller said that practically all of the work could be conducted in the underground, [text not declassified]. Finally we must, according to Dr. Teller, test the completed devices in the atmosphere.
Dr. Teller felt that the laboratories had at least a year’s work before they would be prepared to do anything significant in the atmosphere. He felt the Soviets would need a year or even more. He further expressed the thought that the most recent Soviet series did not expose any new techniques or breakthroughs. [text not declassified]
With respect to the value of a 100 megaton warhead, Teller made the point that if an anti-ballistic missile defense was successful, it very probably would not be able to interdict an incoming [Facsimile Page 2] nuclear warhead at altitudes above 50,000 or 60,000 feet. He pointed out if this was the case, the 100 megaton explosion at 60,000 feet would be devastating to vast areas (although not to hardened bases); therefore it was concluded that there is a need for warheads of this yield.
Teller asked my advice as to what to do. I suggested that since we could take no constructive action for a year he had better confine himself to talks with Government officials and responsible authorities and not project the issue into the public press by making speeches, television appearances, etc., at this particular time. I assured him that our policy was under careful review and that he, as well as others, would be consulted before decision is reached.
- Meeting with Dr. Teller on nuclear testing program. Top Secret. 2 pp. CIA Files, JOB 80B01285A, DCI Memos for the Record, 9/24/62–12/31/62.↩