Missiles, MIRVS, or Information - A Model for Comparative Assessment

Abstract

To maintain a strategy of realistic deterrence with a missile force which is by agreement limited and inferior in numbers, one must look for improvements elsewhere. Improved CEP, MIRVs, or the use of battle information are possible options. This paper presents a model and some of the results obtained in the evaluation of such dissimilar alternatives. In contrast to most strategic war models, a method of abstraction rather than simulation is used. Analytic expressions relating the key parameters are presented. Their solution leads to new insights into the nature of counterforce war and the role information can fulfill. A numerical quantity, called Counter Force Potential (CFP), is defined. It describes and governs the ability of a missile force to wage an effective counterforce war.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1972
Accession Number
ADA008491

Entities

People

  • Kathleen Kenny
  • Otto A. Wech

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Agreements
  • Air Force
  • Classification
  • Damage
  • Damage Assessment
  • Deterrence
  • Equations
  • Force Structure
  • Government Procurement
  • Governments
  • Hierarchies
  • Mathematical Analysis
  • Security
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Three Dimensional
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Irregular Warfare and Special Operations Cyberspace Operations against Adversarial Threats.
  • Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Structures.