U.S. Confidence In Attacking Strength

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28895, 15 May 1959, Page 11

U.S. Confidence In Attacking Strength

(Rec. 11 p.m.) WASHINGTON, May 13. A chief United States Air Force scientist, Dr. Joseph Charyk, said today it might soon be “impossible” for Russia to knock out the “awesome” missile and bomber force being developed by the United States. He was not as positive about being able to ward off vast destruction to the country if Russia, or anyone else, ever did launch a missile attack.

Dr. Charyk, speaking at a missile symposium at the annual Aviation Writers’ Association meeting, said that widely dispersed missile launching sites, many of them underground, would require “impossibly large’’ forces to attack with success. If Russia had missiles with five megaton warheads, able to hit within 2£ miles of their target and gifted with 70 per cent, reliability, they would need 200 such missiles to knock out a single “hardened’’ missile base with 10 launchers. The chief of the Defence Department’s weapons systems evaluation group, Vice-Admiral J. H. Sides, told the meeting that the possibility of a false alarm might force the United States to ignore missile warning systems and take an enemy attack before launching its own counter blows. Missiles could not be recalled in case of false alarm, he said. He doubted if this country would “ever push the button and send intercontinental missiles on their way based only on radar warnings.” Mr Robert Johnson. Douglas Aircraft Company, chief engineer for missiles and space projects, said it was “hog-wash” to argue that the United States cannot develop an anti-missile missile able

to strike down a Russian missile attack. Douglas was developing the Nike-Zeus anti-missile for the Army, but had yet to get an order for production. Denying that such a defence would be like trying to shoot a bullet at a bullet, Johnson said it would be more like “trying to knock down a bullet with a guided football stadium.’’

U.S. Appointment Approved

WASHINGTON, May 13. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee today approved Mr Douglas Dillon’s nomination as first Under-Secretary of State.

President Eisenhower nominated Mr Dillon when Mr Christian Herter became Secretary of State. Mr Dillon's nomination must now be approved by the Senate.