Controlling ballistic missiles: How important How to do it

Journal Article · Sun Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1992 · Arms Control Today; (United States)

OSTI ID:7166882

Harvey, J R; Rubin, U ^[1]

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1. Stanford Univ., CA (United States)

Missiles themselves are not weapons of mass destruction; they do not give states the ability to wreak unimaginable destruction, or to radically shift the balance of power, as nuclear weapons do. Hence, the primary focus of nonproliferation efforts should remain on weapons of mass destruction, particularly nuclear weapons, rather than on one of the many possible means of delivering them. Moreover, as discussed in more detail below, advanced strike aircraft can also be effective in delivering nuclear weapons, and are generally more effective than ballistic missiles for delivering conventional or chemical ordnance. Ultimately, if the industrialized nations seriously desire to control the spread of delivery means for weapons of mass destruction, they need to consider bringing controls over ballistic missiles and advanced strike aircraft more into balance. At the same time, while efforts to control ballistic missile proliferation - centered on the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) - have had some successes and could be strengthened, US policy will be most effective if it recognizes two key realities: the spread of ballistic missiles cannot be as comprehensively controlled as the spread of nuclear weapons, nor need it be as comprehensively controlled.

• OSTI ID: 7166882
• Journal Information: Arms Control Today; (United States), Journal Name: Arms Control Today; (United States) Vol. 22:2; ISSN 0196-125X; ISSN ACOTEB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
350200* -- Arms Control-- Proliferation-- (1987-)
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
AIRCRAFT
ARMS CONTROL
COOPERATION
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
EXPORTS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
MILITARY STRATEGY
MISSILES
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
RECOMMENDATIONS
TRADE
TRANSPORT
USA
WEAPONS