Measures and Trends U.S. and U.S.S.R. Strategic Force Effectiveness. (Sanitized)
Abstract
This report is a compilation and description of the measures of effectiveness which have been used in the analysis and comparison of US and USSR strategic nuclear forces and weapons systems. The primary purpose of the report is to provide an understanding of the measures of effectiveness which can be used in an analysis of the strategic balance. Although a knowledgeable strategic analyst may consider some of the discussions elementary, the manner of presentation has been selected to make the report useful to a wide range of readers. Historical trend plots of thirteen general measures of effectiveness and relevant subsets of these measures of effectiveness are presented. For each measure, a description which identifies the limitations and uncertainties associated with the particular measure is provided: The thirteen basic measures considered are: Strategic Nuclear Delivery Vehicles; Independently Targetable Warheads; ICBM Throw-Weight; SLBM Maximum Range; Gross Yield; Equivalent Megatons; Lethal Area Potential; Weapon System Delivery Accuracy; Hard Target Kill Capability; Counter Military Potential; Surviving ICBM Launchers; Retaliatory Equivalent Weapons; Strategic Defensive Systems.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA190476
Entities
People
- A. C. Trapold
- D. A. Paolucci
- N. F. Wikner