Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume IV, National Security Policy

49. Memorandum From Secretary of Defense Brown to President Carter¹

Washington, January 26, 1978

SUBJECT

• Approval of the Cruise Missile Program as a Program of Highest National Priority

PURPOSE

This is to request that you approve the Cruise Missile Program as a program of highest national priority.

BACKGROUND

In order to meet the required Initial Operational Capability date for the Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM), top priority for industrial resources is essential. Your approval will allow assignment of a BRICK-BAT DX industrial priority rating to our contracts with industry.² It will assure that materials, components and other resources will be applied to the Cruise Missile program first in the event of conflict with commercial or lesser important Defense contracts.

1. Production Leadtimes—Industrial experience during FY 76–77 has shown that leadtimes for many materials and components, particularly aluminum ingots and electronic parts, are lengthy. Failure to apply a blanket BRICK-BAT rating to the program will make it necessary to resolve individual resource bottlenecks and conflicts on a slower and more costly case-by-case interagency basis.

2. Relationship to Sea and Ground Launched Cruise Missiles (SLCM and GLCM)—Because many of the component parts of the ALCM, SLCM and GLCM are manufactured by the same Defense contractors, it would be more cost-effective and efficient to apply equal priority in industry for these systems at this stage in their development.

3. Other BRICK-BAT Programs—Programs have received this assignment in the past, generally because of key political, scientific, psychological or military objectives. Nine programs are presently in the BRICK-BAT category. Included are systems such as the M60 Tank, TRIDENT, MINUTEMAN and the Ballistic Missile Defense Advanced Technology Program.

4. Adverse Reaction/Impact—We do not anticipate any adverse reaction from special interest groups. Impact on industry will be minimal providing the DX industrial priority rating is assigned early in the acquisition cycle.

5. DX Usage Limitation—The program is estimated to cost $999.65 million through FY 78. Of the total cost, approximately $130 million is estimated to be for critical components and materials which will be benefited by assignment of the DX industrial priority rating.

I recommend that you approve the Cruise Missile Program as a program of highest national priority. The enclosure contains the text of a suggested reply.³

Harold Brown

1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Agency File, Box 4, Defense Department: 12/77–1/78. No classification marking.
2. BRICK-BAT DX is the highest level of priority for production and acquisition of industrial resources.
3. Not found attached. Carter signed his name below Brown’s to indicate his approval of the recommendation.