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

136. Memorandum From President Johnson to Secretary of Defense McNamara¹

Washington, July 12, 1966.

SUBJECT

• FY 1968 Nuclear Weapons Stockpile

I approve the proposed Nuclear Weapons Stockpile for the end of FY 1968 submitted to me by the Department of Defense and the Atomic Energy Commission on June 6, 1966.²

Accordingly, I approve a total of [number not declassified]complete nuclear weapons ([number not declassified] nuclear warhead elements) as the stockpile composition for the end of FY 1968. I also approve 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 1967. This will mean a planned production by the Atomic Energy Commission of [number not declassified]nuclear warhead elements and a planned retirement of [number not declassified] nuclear warhead elements during FY 1968, resulting in a net reduction of [number not declassified]nuclear warhead elements during FY 1968 under the adjusted FY 1967 stockpile.

I have directed the Atomic Energy Commission to produce and retire those quantities of atomic weapons and atomic weapons parts necessary to achieve and maintain the approved FY 1968 stockpile. I have also directed the production of the additional weapons required for quality assurance and reliability testing.

I authorize you, in coordination with the Atomic Energy Commission, to make such changes in the total stockpile not to exceed ±10% of the specifically stated numbers of nuclear warhead elements to be produced and retired in FY 1967 and FY 1968, as may be necessary to adjust production schedules to meet AEC material availabilities or production capability. I further authorize you to make minor changes (±10%) in strategic, tactical, air defense or anti-submarine warfare warhead totals that may be required because of adjusted delivery assets or changes in military requirements. Any changes indicative of a major shift in defense policy or AEC production capability will be submitted for my approval.

Lyndon B. Johnson

1. Source: Washington National Records Center, OSD Files: FRC 330 70 A 4662, A–400.23 1966. Top Secret; Restricted Data.
2. See footnote 3, Document 133.