SSBN Survivability: A Time for Confidence-Building Measures?

Abstract

This thesis will focus on the sea-based legs of the American and Soviet triads, examining a series of confidence-building measures (CBMs) that may be considered during the Strategic Arms Reduction Talks (START) that are underway in Geneva. Some proponents have argued that these CBMs, if implemented, would strengthen each side's belief in the invulnerability of nuclear-powered, ballistic missile launching submarines (SSBNs), thereby increasing strategic stability. These proposals seek to increase confidence in SSBN survivability by managing both the employment of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) forces and the development of technology that could be specifically directed against SSBNs. This thesis will consider the possible effects that five different CBMs could have on U.S. perceptions of SSBN survivability. These changes in perception will be measured against the costs that might be exacted in other areas (e.g., tactical anti-submarine warfare) by agreeing to the CBMs.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1982
Accession Number
ADA126701

Entities

People

  • James A. Hayes

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

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

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Antisubmarine Warfare
  • Boats
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Geography
  • Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles
  • International Relations
  • Launchers
  • National Security
  • Naval Operations
  • Naval Warfare
  • Navy
  • Strategic Weapons
  • Submarine Warfare
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Topography
  • Treaties

Readers

  • Maritime and Naval Warfare Studies
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Systems Analysis and Design