Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles and their Role in Future Nuclear Forces

Abstract

This report presents analyses relevant to a decision on whether to retain an ICBM force beyond about 2035 and if ICBMs are to be retained what characteristics would be desirable in a future ICBM force. This report also identifies relevant policy issues that need to be resolved before making large acquisition decisions or deciding on new treaties for nuclear weapons. We begin with top-level conclusions, followed by key assumptions, survivability of US forces against a preemptive attack, target coverage, comparison of force structure options on survivability and price to attack, and final observations, in that order. Other relevant metrics (discussed to some extent in the main body of the report) include sensitivity to alert posture, sensitivity to enemy intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, inflight survivability, and cost.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 2017
Accession Number
AD1033589

Entities

People

  • Dennis Evans
  • Jonathan Schwalbe

Organizations

  • Johns Hopkins University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Counter WMD
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Arms Control
  • Arms Control Treaties
  • Ballistic Missile Submarines
  • Ballistic Missiles
  • Department Of Defense
  • Deterrence
  • Dynamic Pressure
  • Guided Bombs
  • Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles
  • Materials Science
  • Naval Operations
  • Navy
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Ohio Class
  • Operations Research
  • Physics Laboratories
  • Prompt Global Strike
  • Reliability
  • Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles
  • United States
  • Weapons Effects

Readers

  • Life Cycle Cost Analysis
  • Missile Defense Systems.
  • Strategic Security Studies