Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume VII, Arms Control and Disarmament

374. Letter From the Deputy Secretary of Defense (Gilpatric) to Senator John Stennis⁰

Washington, December 17, 1963.

Dear Mr. Chairman: In response to your letter of December 6, 1963,¹ I am pleased to provide the following information on the Defense Department’s portion of the “safeguards” program. The attached table provides a comparison of the FY-1964 effort to our proposed program for FY-1965.²

In support of the first safeguard, underground testing, we are planning or preparing for a series [1-1/2 lines of source text not declassified] and in depth from near surface down to 1500 feet. Preparations are continuing for the deep (1500’) underground test which is designed to help us learn more about the design of very hard structures. [1 line of source text not declassified] could be conducted during FY-64 and FY-65, provided they fall within the final definition of allowable underground testing. These tests are being designed to obtain the maximum possible weapons effects information. The FY-1965 budget includes $22.6 million for underground testing.

In support of the second safeguard, maintenance of laboratory facilities and programs, FY-1965 Defense budget includes $49.3 million for nuclear weapons effects research and the DOD portion of RDT&E associated with nuclear weapons development. The effects research program includes laboratory and theoretical investigation of air blast and ground shock, water blast and shock effects, thermal and nuclear radiation, electro-magnetic phenomenon and biomedical effects. The weapons development includes fuzing and firing systems, retardation systems, ballistic cases, aircraft compatibility testing, and vulnerability tests.

With regard to the third safeguard, maintenance of a stand-by atmospheric test capability, we have budgeted approximately $77 million in FY-1965. Improvement of the test facility at Johnston Island was mostly financed in FY-1963-64 at a cost of about $37 million. Other preparations will include research, development and procurement of long lead time instrumentation and instrument carriers; the maintenance of all this equipment and a joint task force in being.

Specific preparations are being made for the following high altitude atmospheric and underwater tests: Seven shots ranging from [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] at altitudes from [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] to study reentry and blackout effects; two near-surface bursts [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] for studying electromagnetic pulse effects; and [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] shots at various depths underwater plus [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] air burst to study underwater effects and air blast damage to ships.

By 1 January 1965 we should have a capability to begin atmospheric and underwater effects tests within six months of notice, stockpile proof tests within about two months, operational systems tests within about two to three months and weapons development in about three months.

In support of the fourth safeguard, we are augmenting the Atomic Energy Detection System (AEDS). About $34 million has already been invested in this system and operating costs currently run about $25 million per year. We now propose to invest another $100 million during the period FY-1964 to 1969. During the same period, the operating cost will increase to about $40 million annually. To continue development of seismic and other ground-based detection systems, and particularly to further develop a satellite-based system, the Vela program would be increased to $62 million in FY-65 as compared to $51 million in FY-64. This would provide for the launching of another experimental detection satellite in addition to the two launched this fiscal year.

I trust that this information will be of help to you, and I will be pleased to provide more detailed data as the program progresses.

Sincerely,

Roswell L. Gilpatric³

0. Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD/AE Files: FRC 69 A 2243, 388.3, 58 AWT USSR Tests (1961-1965). Secret; Restricted Data. John Stennis of Mississippi chaired the Preparedness Investigating Subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
1. Not found.
2. For text, see the Supplement.
3. Printed from a copy that indicates Gilpatric signed the original.