Calls Criticism on Penetration Capability ‘Nonsense’ : Weinberger Defends B-1 as Operational

Defense Secretary Caspar W. Weinberger, responding to a rising chorus of criticism of the B-1 bomber, described as “utter nonsense” Friday any suggestion that the new warplane is incapable of penetrating Soviet air defenses.

“The B-1 is the most advanced bomber in the world. It’s on-line, it’s operational . . . it’s under its budget cost,” Weinberger said at a breakfast session with The Times’ Washington Bureau. He acknowledged that there are “some things . . . that need to be refined, improved, fixed,” but declared:

“To say that it is not operational or that it can’t carry out its mission or that it’s useless or that it’s all wasted is absolute nonsense.”

Radar Jamming Flaws Cited

As reported in The Times on Friday, Air Force officials have disclosed that shortcomings in the B-1’s electronic radar jamming system mean that it cannot safely fly over certain Soviet anti-aircraft sites, as it was expected to do, apparently limiting its capability to attack some highly defended targets.

Weinberger’s defense of the B-1 came during a wide-ranging discussion of other current issues and controversies. The Pentagon chief also:

--Said “it would not surprise me” if Vice Adm. John M. Poindexter, who resigned as President Reagan’s national security adviser amid disclosures of the Iranian arms sales and subsequent diversion of proceeds to the Nicaraguan rebels, eventually testifies before congressional investigators without seeking immunity from prosecution.

Both Poindexter and Lt. Col. Oliver L. North, who was fired from the National Security Council staff for his central role in the scandal, invoked the Fifth Amendment right against possible self-incrimination when summoned before congressional committees last month.

“I wish that they both would say what I’m convinced absolutely is the fact and that is that the President had no knowledge whatever of any of this alleged diversion of funds to the contras ,” Weinberger said. “I wish that they would both break their silence to say that specifically. . . . “

--Acknowledged that there are “preliminary indications” the Army may have undervalued the 2,000 TOW anti-tank missiles it supplied to the CIA for shipment to Iran.

Sees Possible Pricing Error

” . . . Perhaps the lower price for the oldest models was charged for all of them, by error, and that would bring out the total price too low,” he said. “If that is indeed the case, we will bill the CIA and get it back.” With a chuckle, he added: “Very simple. We will get it back because we have their budget.”

It is widely assumed that much of the CIA’s funding is hidden in the Pentagon’s budget, but when pressed on this point, Weinberger demurred: “I don’t think it’s proper to go any further. It’s a classified matter.”

--Indicated that U.S. intelligence had detected an acceleration in the Soviet Union’s deployment of SS-25 mobile intercontinental ballistic missiles. U.S. officials have said previously that the Soviets have deployed 72 of the single-warhead missiles. But Weinberger said: “I believe we’re pretty close to 90 on the ones that are nearly ready.”

Other senior Administration officials also said that new intelligence data shows 90 of the SS-25s are deployed. Weinberger said that this buildup would violate terms of the 1979 strategic arms agreement with the Soviet Union.

In discussing the B-1, Weinberger dismissed suggestions that the bomber cannot now fly safely over some Soviet anti-aircraft sites.

Ten Times Better Than B-52

“But it can,” he interrupted a questioner. “It penetrates something like 10 to 1 better than the B-52, which is what it’s supposed to do.” He said that the Soviets “have very sophisticated defenses” but “the B-1 can do it right now.”

He did not directly address concerns of Air Force officials about the B-1’s problems, but said that the “adjustment, correction process, whatever you want to call it, is an inevitable part of any new weapons system, particularly any new plane as advanced as the B-1B is.”

“I have no real problem with the B-1 bomber,” he said. “ . . . I’m pleased with the speed with which it was done.”