Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-05-18
Nike Defenses Seen
Delayed by Cuts
Army Predicts
Four-Yeur Lao
In Completion
BY JOHN A. GILES

Inc Army has told Congress
that completion of the Nations
Nike guided missile anti-air-
craft defense will be delayed UP
to four years because of a SIS
billion cut by the administration
in its requests for authority to
make contracts in the next fiscal
year.
This was revealed today in the
release of closed-SeSSion testi-
mony before a House Appropria-
tons Subcommittee. The full
committee is reported to have
under consideration a SIS billion
reduction in President Eisen-
hower's military spending plans.
There have been no reports on
what slashes it plans in con-
tractual authority.
1t. Gen. Carter B. Magruder,
deputy chief of staff for logistics,
reported the Army sought $l1.3
billion to make it possible to
equip about so per cent of all
the $50 Nike units by July !,
1860.
3-to-4-Year Delay
THE limitation on funds
available that would result from
!. $9.7 billion Gin the Eisen-
hover budget imposed reduc.
ton in planned funding for pro-
curement. a part of which was
necessarily applied against Nike
equipment" he testified. This
reduced rate of production will
cause a delay of 3 to 4 years in
meeting our full requirement and
will equip only about 40 per cent
of the units proposed for organ
ization by July !, 1860. -"
The Nike Ajax batteries have
become a familiar part of the
suburban landscape around
Washington and in other areas.
The units will be equipped with
larger and Swifter Nike Hercules
missiles that can be fitted with
an atomic nose. The first of
these upwards : of 100 mile
range weapons will go into place
in this area late this year.
New Low-LeveI Missile
With Mixes designed for high
altitude and long-range attack.
the air defenses have depended
on conventional anti-aircraft
guns to knock down attackers
which might get through at low
levels. The Army told Congress
that it planned to modernize
these defenses with the forma-
ton of new Hawk" battalions
in the next fiscal year.
The hitherto secret Hawk Is
the newest in the Army's family
of missiles. and the service
claims that it can destroy any,
thing that flies. no matter how
low. 1t also will carry an atomic
warhead. capable not only Of
shooting down the target, but Of
destroying whatever weapons it
carries.
1t. Gen. James M. Gavin, chief
of research and development.
told the subcommittee the Army
will spend SIS million on the
Jupiter intercontinental range
$1,000 miles, ballatic missile dur
ing this current year. Defense
Secretary Wilson issued an order
last November turning such
weapons over to the Air Force.
However. the Jupiter work will be
continued through October with
funds supplied by the Wilson Of
fee. Gen. Gavin testified.
Missile Defense Feasible
The general also told the Con-
gressmen the Army could use
more than the $12 million ear
marked for development Of an
anti-missile miSSile-fundS for
which also were reduced.
"One of the most significant
things is that defense against
a surface-to-surface missile, in
the intercontinental ball
listic missile is entirely feasible"
he asserted. "One reads all the
time about this weapon being an
absolute weapon.
I'VE know that it is not at all.
There is a defense against it. We
must get on with getting such a
defense for our country"
He added that the public
should not believe there is no
defense against supersonic mis-
Siles describing such thinking as
very damaging"
While this country has made
tremendous strides in the de-
velopment Of missiles, Gen.
Gavin said the Soviet also has