Office of the Historian

259. Memorandum From William Tobey and Robert Linhard of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Powell)1

Washington, June 27, 1988

SUBJECT

  • Restructuring the SDI Program

At Tab I2 is the memorandum for the President you requested analyzing the OSD paper on restructuring the SDI program. We are working toward an NSPG meeting on the issue next week, and will prepare the necessary package. We anticipate the outcome of the meeting will be an NSDD on which options OSD should pursue, with an additional briefing for the President and a final decision in August to guide the Defense Acquisition Board.

With respect to a possible breakthrough at Lawrence Livermore National Lab, General Abrahamson reports that DOD has also been contacted by someone in the Attorney General’s office. The system is indeed the “brilliant pebbles” concept. This system would involve [Page 928] placing thousands of cheap, light, single-shot kinetic interceptors in orbit. They have made impressive progress, but Abe would not call it a breakthrough. Indeed, he says that much work remains to be done; in particular, they are working to ensure that they meet the “man in the loop” requirement. Abe will forward a paper on the concept this afternoon and will be prepared to answer questions on the concept at the NSPG. This should ensure that the President is fully informed on the concept, without giving way to undue optimism.

Recommendation

That you sign the memorandum at Tab I.3

That you approve our plan for handling the Livermore “breakthrough.”4

Bill Cockell, Linton Brooks, and Don Mahley concur.5

  1. Source: Reagan Library, Robert Linhard Files, Arms Control Chronological File, SDI NSPG, 07/05/88. Secret. Sent for action.↩
  2. Printed as Document 260.↩
  3. Powell neither approved nor disapproved the recommendation.↩
  4. Powell neither approved nor disapproved the recommendation.↩
  5. Tobey initialed for Brooks and Mahley.↩