Formerly "Secret" Report with "Top Secret" annex from the US military's center for bio, chemical, and radiological warfare

Click here for the complete annex as text

>>> Issued September 1954 by the Historical Office, within the Office Chief Chemical Officer, US Army Chemical Corps. The main body of the report was originally classified "Secret" and was declassified on 24 August 1995. The report's separately published annex (on bioweapons research) was originally classified "Top Secret" and was regraded "Unclassified" on 19 May 1992. Both are completely unredacted. Obtained and kindly given to The Memory Hole by Susan L. Maret, PhD.

Table: Funds Obligated by the Chemical Corps
Chart: Organization for the Army BW [biowarfare] Program

For more Chemical Corps documents, click here

Pages 27-35 of the report (footnotes excluded):

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE CHEMICAL CORPS

Administration

The research and development program was generally directed toward the completion of short-term development, rather than toward basic research. In the field of chemical warfare the development of end items was stressed, with emphasis on the production, dissemination and detection of the G-agents. In biological warfare the production and dissemination of agent N was given top priority. Radiological warfare assumed a very minor position, with the Chemical Corps continuing research on a small scale. (SECRET)

During the fiscal year 1954 the total funds obligated for research and development was, as indicated above, $43,576,000. Of this total, 53 per cent was obligated for biological warfare and the remainder for chemical and radiological warfare. The number of personnel engaged in research activities increased approximately five hundred. (CONFIDENTIAL)

Chemical Research and Development

As in FY 1953, the most urgent research and development problems were associated with the large scale production of GB by the Dimethyl Hydrogen Phosphite (DMHP) process and the two alternative processes, High Temperature Methane (HTM) and Salt. Continuous production of DMHP was carried on successfully in a pilot plant without the aid of internal coolant. The results of this small scale production will be of value to Site A (Muscle Shoals, Alabama) if the problem of stripping under vacuum cannot be solved. The Salt process was carried out on the pilot plant stage, steps I to III by a contractor and steps IV to V at CRL. Pilot plant development is expected to be completed in late 1954 or early 1955. The first step in the HTM process, the direct union of methane and phosphorus trichloride, was successfully piloted under contract. The second step, the oxidation of the step I product to methyl phosphonyldichloride, is under study in the pilot plant. (SECRET)

In searching for a material which will enhance the toxicity of GB, e.g., by reducing the volatility, increasing its ability to penetrate clothing, enhancing its percutaneous toxicity, it was found that methyl methacrylate polymer thickened the agent. The thickening time, however, is excessive and studies are being continued. (SECRET)

During the year the search for new agents resulted in the submission of 117 compounds for toxicity tests. Twenty-four of these were found to be sufficiently toxic to warrant further study. The most important candidate agent uncovered is cyclohexyl methyl-phosphonofluoridate (GF) which the Advisory Committee on New Agents recommended as a quick-acting persistent agent. The laboratory method of synthesizing the compound was investigated, and several hundred pounds will be prepared for field trials as soon as personnel become available for the work. The Advisory Committee on New Agents placed increased emphasis on naturally occuring toxic substances, and on synthetic compounds with structures related to natural toxics. (SECRET)

In the field of flame warfare, efforts were made to improve thickening agents. Thickener M3 (Octal), already standardized for use in fire bombs, was modified for use in flame throwers by the addition of surface-active agents. Final engineering tests of the modified thickener (E9) are expected in late 1954. The study of latex thickeners, begun last year, uncovered a gelling agent, Thickener E7, which showed considerable promise. The latex thickeners are dispersions of natural or synthetic rubber, and are therefore not affected by water in the gasoline. If the search is successful, the latex thickener may replace the aluminum soaps. (SECRET)

Applied research on ground and air munitions showed progress along certain lines. In filling a requirement for practical counter-measures against radar, the Corps developed a nickel coated glass fiber (Agent, Radar Screening, E10) which is approximately 400 times more effective, weight for weight, than chaff. Investigation is being continued to find the most efficient way of disseminating the coated fibers. (SECRET)

During the year continuous effort was made to obtain basic information on the dissemination of agents to improve munitions or develop new techniques or devices. Major emphasis was placed on dissemination by thermal generators. The modified M3 smoke generator (Kit, Smoke Generator, Agent Dispersing, E10) gave very promising results in Operation ARMBREAKER at Dugway Proving Ground, and provided useful information to guide further research. (SECRET)

In flame warfare, the most significant accomplishment was the E32 flame gun, which completed final engineering tests. The gun is 2.5 pounds lighter and 8 inches shorter than the M2A1 gun. The outstanding features are its light weight, ease of trigger pull, ignition safety, and the ease of handling and firing by an operator wearing arctic mittens. (CONFIDENTIAL)

In smoke screening, the remote controlled smoke generator, operated by radio, successfully passed the final engineering test. The Signal Corps evaluated the radio control system and reported that it is not particularly susceptible to deliberate or accidental jamming. (CONFIDENTIAL)

Biological Warfare Research and Development

For this section see:

Top Secret Annex pp. 6 - 11

(Footnotes 46 - 56)

Radiological Research and Development

In World War II appreciable quantities of radioactive isotopes became available for use as toxicological weapons. Differences of opinion arose among those who believed that this type of warfare would be effective and those who were convinced it did not deserve consideration. In 1948 the Joint National Military Establishment-Atomic Energy Commission Panel on Radiological Warfare (Noyes Panel) met to consider the available information and to recommend a program designed to establish the feasibility of RW. The Noyes Panel continued to meet until 20 November 1950. Their published reports and recommendations formed the basis of the program effort during those years. In March 1950 the WSEG issued a memo outlining the requirements for an operational evaluation of RW. This involved munitions development (CMLC), agents (AEC and CMLC), decontamination (CMLC), biological effectiveness (AEC), and logistics (USAF and CMLC). The Chemical Corps research and development was to be completed through a service level test by the end of FY 1954. During the five fiscal years from 1949 through 1953 the Chemical Corps investment was approximately $10,000,000 of which $2,000,000 was for facilities. Of the $6,861,000 available for technical operations, $3,561,000 (or more than 50 per cent) was spent by contract. The achievements during this five year period include the following:

(1) A variety of agent formulations were developed.
(2) An explosive system was developed which combined the features of high aimability and large area contamination.
(3) A large area system was developed utilizing the principle of self-dispersion of surface modified spheres.
(4) A facility was designed, constructed and placed in operation to handle, process, load and fill munitions with megacurie quantities of radioactive material.
(5) Some decontamination work was accomplished. (SECRET)

Since the first of July 1953 the RW program has come to almost a complete halt. All tests were canceled, all development work was discontinued, all contract proposals canceled, personnel reduced from 360 to a few key men, facilities were closed down, and support by USAF and AEC was withdrawn. The Chemical Corps asked for $850,000 to phase out the program in an orderly manner, but only $100,000, later increased to $325,000, was offered by the DA Senior Review Board. (SECRET)

On 30 June 1954- word was received from Assistant Chief of Staff G-4), that the Chemical Corps would continue research and development on RW ground delivery systems (for the purpose of contaminating roads and for other retarding operations) to furnish ORO with data, and that the Corps would devote a minimum effort toward planning a tactical guided missile delivery system. (SECRET)

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