U. S. /NATO sea-based non-strategic nuclear deterrence: Paradox or pitfall. Master's thesis

Technical Report · Sun Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1991

OSTI ID:5407446

Stanton, L S

The present study examines the evolution of nuclear strategy with particular emphasis on the capacity of U.S./NATO sea-based non-strategic nuclear forces. The current trend in NATO towards a certain denuclearization of the Central European states might well place an increased reliance on the sea-based theater nuclear weapons to counter Soviet theater nuclear forces in the Western Soviet Union. The present work analyzes the policy background of the NATO nuclear strategy from a European perspective in light of recent problems as a necessary precondition to an understanding of the more concrete issues of hardware. Although the U.S. Navy's nuclear-capable Tomahawk land attack cruise missile (TLAM/N) remains a potent and flexible nuclear strike asset, it is best suited for heavily defended high value fixed targets. Emphasis on offensive mobility in a future conflict will make carrier-based aircraft a more decisive platform from which to prosecute and destroy high value mobile targets. However, an analysis of the U.S. Navy's non-strategic nuclear forces reveals substantial deficiencies when compared with those of the Soviet Union. A declining U.S. Navy nuclear stockpile of air-deliverable strike weapons in combination with the lack of a long-range nuclear-capable stealth aircraft weakens the credibility of the aircraft carrier battle group as a nuclear deterrent force.

• Research Organization: Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA (United States)
• OSTI ID: 5407446
• Report Number(s): AD-A-246379/2/XAB
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Thesis (M.S.)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
NATO
NUCLEAR DETERRENCE
USA
AIRCRAFT
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
EUROPE
FOREIGN POLICY
MILITARY EQUIPMENT
MILITARY STRATEGY
MISSILES
MOBILITY
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
SHIPS
STOCKPILES
TARGETS
USSR
ASIA
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
EQUIPMENT
EVALUATION
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NORTH AMERICA
WEAPONS
350000* - Arms Control- (1987-)