Strategic Target Planning: Bridging the Gap between Theory and Practice

Abstract

In seeking a more flexible nuclear strategy, national policymakers may not be taking into account technical limitations to strategic target planning. This doubt is the driving concern behind this study. The author suggests that, because of recent changes in our nuclear strategy, the nuclear arsenal and the enemy target system, a gap may have developed between strategic targeting theory and practice. After tracing the evolution of nuclear targeting, he turns to ways of dealing with the technical constraints faced by target planners. His foremost concern is that strategic targeting concepts do not exceed our technical ability to implement. He proposes improvements in our strategic forces' command, control, and communications facilities to better ensure rapid retargeting . He also argues for more reliable and detailed target intelligence and recommends that a special coordination committee be created to oversee new targeting initiatives.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1983
Accession Number
ADA137386

Entities

People

  • Richard L. Walker

Organizations

  • National Defense University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Air Power
  • Aircrafts
  • Anti-Ballistic Missiles
  • Ballistic Missiles
  • Command And Control
  • Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles
  • Monte Carlo Method
  • National Security
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Space Systems
  • Strategic Weapons
  • United States
  • Urban Areas
  • War Colleges
  • Weapons Effects

Readers

  • Robotics and Automation.
  • Strategic Security Studies
  • Systems Analysis and Design