Countervailing Strategy Demands Revision of Strategic Force Acquisition Plans.
Abstract
To meet the requirements of deterrence in the 1980s, U.S. strategic nuclear forces will need capabilities not envisioned in the design of existing weapon and support systems. These requirements result from the threat posed by large numbers of effective Soviet nuclear forces and air defenses and from the deterrent strategy the United States adopted to neutralize the implications of that threat. This 'countervailing strategy' includes the capability to survive a major Soviet nuclear attack, the capability to ensure destruction of the Soviet Union, and maintenance of a clearly evident capability to effectively engage in nuclear conflicts of a more limited nature. If projected increases in DOD spending are to effectively meet strategic needs, changes are needed to ensure that programs conceived under previous approaches to strategic deterrence can meet new requirements. The Secretary of Defense should develop an acquisition strategy that clearly delineates the programs needed to meet the requirements of countervailing strategy and shows the time frames when these capabilities can be available. This acquisition plan should be submitted to the Congress as part of DOD's next budget presentation. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 05, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA102816
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office