MISSILE DUEL MAY END SERVICE FEUD

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27993, 13 June 1956, Page 13

MISSILE DUEL MAY END SERVICE FEUD

Rec. 10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, June 11.

Senator Dennis Chavez (Democrat, New Mexico) said today that the United States Congress may stop production of the Army’s Nike antiaircraft missile in favour of a new Air Force missile.

Before making a final decision, the Senator said, the committee would ask the Defence Department to hold a “showdown” duel between the two missiles.

While the Defence Department in the past has said it has no plans for such a duel, the Senator said it appeared now that the test would be held in “the not too distant future.” The Senator, chairman of the Military Appropriations Sub-committee, said it appeared at this point that the Talos anti-aircraft guided missile adopted by the Air Force was a better weapon that the Army's Nike. Therefore, Senator Chavez told reporters, the appropriations committee may recommend that only the Navydeveloped Talos be purchased in the future.

Since the committee holds the pursestrings on military spending, its recommendation would have the effect if cutting off funds for the Nike. The rival missile programmes have been the source of a bitter feud between the Army and Air Force. The sub-committee questioned the Army. Navy and Air Force Chiefs of Staff at a secret hearing. Senator Chavez said, and all three military leaders, including General Maxwell Taylor, the Army Chief of Staff, thought the Talos was the best. This

view was not shared by the Army previously. He said the Talos had the advantage of a longer range, which he listed at about 50 miles.

He emphasised that the Nike, which is now located around most of the United States major cities, was “a good weapon, not obsolete, and can be of substantial use for 'defence.” But. he said, committee members did not want to have "duplicate weapons” resulting in increased costs.