The Evolution of Air and Nuclear Doctrine: The Theories that Shaped SIOP-62

Abstract

This study analyzes the evolution of Airpower doctrine from 1920-1962. The key event in 1962 is the presentation of the nuclear war plan, known as the Single Integrated Operational Plan (SIOP), to President Kennedy. The SIOP integrated the various military service plans and created a master plan for the nation in time of nuclear war. However, when the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff briefed President Kennedy on SIOP-62, the president rejected the plan as unusable due to its lack of flexibility. This paper asks the question, how is it possible that SAC developed the most deadly war plan in history, SIOP-62, without including the key tenet of airpower, flexibility?

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2016
Accession Number
AD1030454

Entities

People

  • David J. Wyrick

Organizations

  • School of Advanced Air and Space Studies

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Counter WMD
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerial Warfare
  • Air Force
  • Air Power
  • Employment
  • Foreign Relations
  • Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles
  • International Relations
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Nuclear Bombs
  • Nuclear Warfare
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Second World War
  • Test And Evaluation
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Strategic Security Studies