Weinberger Hits ASAT Test Ban

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Caspar W. Weinberger criticized congressional budget conferees today, saying their agreement to ban further tests of the Pentagon’s new killer-satellite missile “gives the Soviets life-or-death veto power over a vital U.S. defense program.”

Pentagon spokesman Bob Sims, reading a statement he said had been approved by Weinberger, said the congressional move “could undercut arms control, impair our national security and waste money” if not reversed before late summer, when ASAT is to be tested on two special target satellites already launched.