Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume X, National Security Policy

37. Memorandum From the Deputy Secretary of Defense (Vance) to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Wheeler)¹

Washington, July 10, 1964.

SUBJECT

• FY 1966 Nuclear Weapons Stockpile (U)

On 18 June 1964 the President approved the Proposed FY 1966 Nuclear Weapons Stockpile submitted jointly by the Department of Defense and Atomic Energy Commission on 19 December 1963² (as later amended to show the retirement in FY 1966 of all Atlas D warheads remaining in inventory).

Accordingly, the President approved a total of [number not declassified] nuclear weapons ([number not declassified] nuclear warhead elements) as the stockpile composition for the end of FY 1966. The President also approved a total of [number not declassified] complete nuclear weapons ([number not declassified] nuclear warhead elements) as the adjusted stockpile composition for the end of FY 1965. This will mean a planned production by the Atomic Energy Commission of [number not declassified]complete weapons ([number not declassified] warhead elements) and a planned retirement of [number not declassified] complete weapons ([number not declassified] warhead elements) during FY 1966.

The President has authorized the Department of Defense, in coordination with the Atomic Energy Commission, to make such minor changes (plus or minus10%) within the production total of [number not declassified] complete weapons for FY 1966 as may be necessary to adjust production schedules to meet AEC material availabilities. The President further authorized the Department of Defense to make minor changes (plus or minus10%) in any line item or collective total that may be required because of adjusted delivery system assets or changes in strategic, tactical, air defense or anti-submarine warfare concepts. The President directed that any changes indicative of a major shift in defense policy or AEC production capability will be submitted to him for his approval.

Subsequent to the submission of the Proposed FY 1966 Nuclear Weapon Stockpile decisions were made within the DoD which would affect some of the pegpoints set forth therein. These decisions should now be confirmed and appropriate adjustments made to the pegpoints under the authority granted by the President. The adjusted pegpoints are identified in the inclosure³ and are hereby approved, together with minor adjustments to inventory objectives for AEC weapons overbuild and non-nuclear components for FY 1965 and FY 1966.

Cyrus Vance ⁴

1. Source: Washington National Records Center, OSD Files: FRC 330 69 A 7425, A–400.23 (6 Mar 64). Top Secret; Restricted Data; Special Clearance Required.
2. See Document 35.
3. Entitled “Adjusted Weapons Overbuild for Quality Assurance Program;” not printed.
4. Printed from a copy that indicates Vance signed the original.