Neutron bomb and European defense

Journal Article · Fri Aug 15 04:00:00 EDT 1980 · Ed. Res. Rep. (Wash., D.C.); (United States)

OSTI ID:6842656

Sweet, W

France's development of the controversial neutron bomb is in line with the US goal of flexible response to a Soviet threat in Europe. US neutron bomb production is on a standby basis pending agreement among the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members for deployment. Controversy over the bomb centers on its anti-personnel nature, which many see as immoral in comparison with weapons that primarily damage property. Opponents also see it as lowering the nuclear threshold and increasing the chance of nuclear war. Supporters view the bomb as a tactical weapon to be used on a limited scale as a last resort. If Germany's Chancellor Schmidt fails to negotiate a limit to European nuclear arms deployment with the Soviet Union, neutron-bomb production in the US and France will most likely proceed. The prospects for including European nuclear weapons in the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) III are jeopardized by the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the failure of an early SALT II ratification. 17 references. (DCK)

• OSTI ID: 6842656
• Journal Information: Ed. Res. Rep. (Wash., D.C.); (United States), Journal Name: Ed. Res. Rep. (Wash., D.C.); (United States) Vol. 2:6; ISSN EDRRA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
450202 -- Explosions & Explosives-- Nuclear-- Weaponry-- (-1989)
FOREIGN POLICY
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NATIONAL DEFENSE
NATIONAL SECURITY
NATO
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
PROLIFERATION
SECURITY
USA
WEAPONS