LETTER TO ADMIRAL STANSFIELD TURNER FROM ROBIN L. BEARD

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81M00980R002700020059-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 9, 2005
• Sequence Number: 59
• Publication Date: February 1, 1978
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved For Release 2007/03/03: CIA-RDP81 M00980R002700020059-7
SAMUEL S. STr4TTON.
? r CHAIRMAN
ROBERT 1.. LEGGETT. CALIF. NINETY-FIFTH CONGRESS
ROBERT H, (BOB) MCI I OHAN. W. VA. (-4-
,p
DAN DANIEL. NE.'?OUt O# e?1+Apreentxl
HAROLD RUNNELS. N. MEX. TJ6 at
RONALD V. DELLUMS. CALIF.
MENDEL J. DAVIS, B.C. COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES
LUCIEN N. NEDZI. MICH.
BILL NICHOLS. ALA. ARMED SERVICES INVESTIGATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE
ROSIN L. BEARD, TENN. 23,39 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
DAVID C. TREEN, LA. WASh INGTON. D.C. 20515
ROBERT W. DANIEL. in.. VA.
ROBERT E. BADHAM. CALIF. 2254221. GOVERNMENT CODE 150. ExT. 4221
February 1, 1978
Admiral.Stansfield Turner
Director
Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, D. C. 20505
JOHN F. LALLY
COUNSEL
V
'7o 54500'r
Dear Admiral Turner:
From your recent appearance before the Committee, you
could tell that we are particularly interested in the growing
asymmetries in U.S.-Soviet ICBM capabilities.
While a number of questions exist pursuant to the
assessments and assumptions underlying your presentation before
the Committee on the strategic balance, we were particularly
concerned that you did not consider anything particularly sig-
nificant about the tests conducted with the SS-19 late last year.
As you pointed out, one ICBM flight test does not necessarily
immediately translate into an operational capability. However,
the tests conducted with the SS-18 and the SS-19 would indicate
that the Soviets have successfully developed a new guidance system
that can be effectively exploited by their entire ICBM force
structure. This, in combination with the new bus for the SS-18
and the new separation technique for that bus, in our view, points
out the fact that the U.S. will need to revise its accuracy pro-
jections of Soviet ICBM's in the early 1980s, if not before.
Since you failed to address the implications of the tests
conducted with the SS-19, we would appreciate your providing this
assessment, and the necessary revisions you feel we need to make
in terms of our projections for Soviet ICBM accuracy, in writing so
that it can be made available to members of the Committee.
We appreciate your assistance in this matter,
Approved For Release 2007/03/03: CIA-RDP81 M00980R002700020059-7
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Approved For Release 2007/03/03: CIA-R?P81 M00980R002700020059-7