US and Soviet strategic command and control: Implications for a protracted nuclear war. Master's thesis

Technical Report · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5480405

Lippold, K S

This thesis addresses the relative ability of the command and control systems of the United States and Soviet Union to support a protracted nuclear war. It covers the development and structure of the command and control organizations used to support the respective National Command Authorities. In discussing these organizations, the various systems supporting the command and control apparatus are also covered. This includes the threat warning and attack assessment equipment used to determine strategic and tactical warning and the communications equipment used to alert forces of increased readiness and the conduct of nuclear strikes if required. The technical factors associated with the performance of C3 in a nuclear environment will also be covered. The result is a net assessment of the two command and control systems that highlights the strengths and weaknesses inherent in each. Recommendations to help enhance the United States' position regarding this national security issue are also developed.

• Research Organization: Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5480405
• Report Number(s): AD-A-209074/4/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
450202* -- Explosions & Explosives-- Nuclear-- Weaponry-- (-1989)
ASIA
COMMUNICATIONS
EASTERN EUROPE
EUROPE
MILITARY STRATEGY
NATIONAL SECURITY
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
SECURITY
USSR
WARFARE
WEAPONS