What don't we need anymore U. S. land-based strategic weapons modernization and the end of the Cold War
A reevaluation of US strategic weapons modernization is required with the end of the Cold War. This analysis examines US land-based strategic weapons modernization. First it establishes that the future strategic environment will be characterized by reduced superpower tensions, lower levels of nuclear armaments, but more technologically capable weapons. Deterrence theory is examined to derive strategic criteria for US land-based strategic weapons. Two sets of criteria are established: maximalist criteria where survivable counterforce capability should be maximized; and MAD-plus criteria where an assured destruction capability plus a few extra weapons for limited nuclear options should be maintained at minimal cost. For the MAD-plus strategy, it is found that the United States need only retain MX missiles in silos, B-1B bombers, and a slow, soft ALCM carrier unless depressed-trajectory SLBMs are accurate, in which case Midgetmen based on hard, mobile launchers should be procured. For the maximalist strategy, it is found that a combination of rail garrison and silo-based MX missiles is optimal if the US will never be caught by surprise.
- Research Organization:
- Virginia Univ., Charlottesville, VA (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 7019701
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis (Ph.D.)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
ARMS CONTROL
BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE
USA
MILITARY STRATEGY
WEAPONS
NUCLEAR DETERRENCE
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
NATIONAL DEFENSE
NORTH AMERICA
350200* - Arms Control- Proliferation- (1987-)
290000 - Energy Planning & Policy