Space-Based Counterforce in the Second Nuclear Age

Abstract

Some scholars argue that the world has entered the Second Nuclear Age in which nuclear proliferation has invalidated traditional deterrence assumptions. Air Force leaders believe this new multipolar, proliferated world requires new ideas, concepts, and analyses. To address this concern, this paper explores the possibility of limited nuclear wars and how the United States may respond to them. In doing so, it reopens the debate between Thomas Schelling and Herman Kahn regarding the nature of deterrence and reconsiders one of Strategic Air Commands boldest strategic weapons system proposals.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 2015
Accession Number
AD1012753

Entities

People

  • Brent D. Ziarnick

Organizations

  • Air Command and Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Deep Space
  • Department Of Defense
  • Directed Energy Weapons
  • Electric Propulsion
  • Engineers
  • Explosives
  • National Security
  • Nuclear Warfare
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Space Propulsion
  • Strategic Weapons
  • Thermal Propulsion Systems
  • United States
  • Warfare
  • Weapons Effects

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • Educational Psychology
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Strategic Security Studies

Technology Areas

  • Space