Edward Teller's assessment that a compact one-megaton warhead was feasible gave Burke technical support for Polaris. That advice supported choosing Polaris over Jupiter, which was poorly suited to submarine use. The Navy was still skeptical about submarine-based weapons, so the technical possibility also required institutional support. Burke persuaded the service, and Polaris patrols were approaching a regular schedule by 1961.
Notable Point · 51:15-52:01
Burke moves the Navy from Jupiter to Polaris
Edward Teller's warhead advice gives Burke the technical opening to favor the submarine-suitable Polaris missile over Jupiter and persuade a skeptical Navy.