Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-08
u. S. Defense Adequate,
Wilson Tells Heorinq

i Wilson declared, "or make il
possible for us at this time tC
reduce our forces or alter ma
terially the numbers of personnel
required to man these forces
We are emphasizing the use OF
the most modern weapons in oul
strategic and tactical plans ano
have reduced to the extent HGac-
tlcable our requirements fol
manpower. We continue to en-
phasize airpower and modern
forces designed to exploit the
use OF the new weapons of both
strategic and tactical types that
are coming into our arsenal"
AT the start of the hearinl
Subcommittee Chairman Cha.
vez, Democrat of New Mexico
suggested that the Defense Sec.
Rotary discuss in some detail
various stories that the United
States is far behind Russia ir
several types of weapons OF air.
craft. Senator Chavez also aSkec
Mr.. Wilson for an explanation
why SO many generals and ad-
miralS are leaving the Defense
Department in the prime oil
life
/ When Senator Chavez men,
toned stories about possible lags
in defense needs. Mr.. Wilson in
terrupted: You're talking about
fearmongers."
He did not identify any critic
by name, but said he deals with
that subject in long prepared
statement which he brought
with him and later would answer
any questions by subcommittee
members.
! Denies Soviet Lead in Air
Plunging directly into the SUBJ
Iject of air power, Mr.. Wilson
fatty denied that the Sovie.
Union is. far outstripping the
United States in term of all
power, Explaining that he useo
the term to include the total
strength of the Air Force as well
as the air strength of Other
branches of the armed services
the reserves. civil air fleets and
the resources of the aircraft in
dustry, Mr., Wilson listed the fol-
lowing data projected during the
fiscal year beginning July /.
l. Twenty five thousand mill
tary aircraft in the active inven-
tory of the Air Force. 10000
military aircraft for the Navy
and Marine Corps, and 1000 fol-
the Army.
2. All heavy bomber wings in
the Strategic Air Command now
are equipped with the B-36 air.
plane except one wing equipped
with B-52s. All B-36s are being
replaced by the newer all-jet
B-52 bombers. These heavy
wings have been programmed
to increase from 30 planes pei
wing to As planes per wing, thus
adding "a significant increase
of so per cent to the Nation s
long-range heavy bomber strik-
ing power.
| 3. The B-52 production was
originally geared to a peak rate
of II per month. This later was
increased to II per month. There
is every prospect of increasing
the peak rate to 20 per month
substantially earlier than was
originally hoped.
Because of the confusion and
doubt that have arisen in thi,
matter" Mr.. Wilson told the
subcommittee, II believe it is
desirable to set the record
straight. Acceptance of these
aircraft has been slightly delayed
recently because of the develop
ment of a mechanical difficulty
This should not be permitted to
obscure the fact that this is a
fine airplane and is living up tc
or exceeding its designed specif1-
cations. 1t is accurate to state
that the Air Force has had less
difficulty with the B-52 in its
early phases than with any other
airplane in recent years"
Is Carriers of A-Caliber
4. There are Is large carriers
all carrying aircraft with atomic
capabilities.
5. Fighter defense forces, both
in the Air Force and the Navy
and Marine Corps, are being
rapidly modernized and i'm
proved.
/ 6. Greater emphasis is beins
placed on the use of atomic
power by the naval forces. Tht
first nuclear-powered submarine
the U. S. S. Nautilus, is already
in fleet operation, the seconc
has been launched. six more arr
being built and another six arr
included in the 1857 buildinl
program. This program also in
cludes plans for the first nu.
clear-powered surface warship
a guided missile light cruiser
and also for a nuclear power
plant for a ship of the attach
carrier class.