Revitalizing Continental Air Defense for the Strategic Environment of the 1990s

Abstract

The author advocates the need to revitalize the capability to defend North America from air attack based on the changing strategic environment. After examining the relationship between continental air defense (CAD) and U.S. national defense strategy, he reviews the rationale for the decay of atmospheric defense since the 1960's. He outlines the deficiencies of the current and projected air defense network, matches the capabilities of the Soviet strategic air threat with potential scenarios for its employment against the CONUS, and articulates the interrelationship between the Strategic Defense Initiative and CAD. He then addresses the implications of other technological breakthroughs such as the Air Defense Initiative on the strategic balance, and the impact of arms control agreements on strategic defense. Recommendations for the long and short term revitalization of CAD conclude the report.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADA202555

Entities

People

  • Michael J. Ingelido Ii

Organizations

  • Air War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Counter WMD
  • Sensors
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Defense
  • Air Force
  • Air Power
  • Airborne Warning And Control System
  • Defense Systems
  • Directed Energy Weapons
  • Jet Engine Fuels
  • Military Organizations
  • Munitions
  • National Security
  • Negotiations
  • Strategic Defense Initiative
  • Strategic Weapons
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare
  • Warning Systems
  • Weapons Effects

Readers

  • Coastal Oceanography
  • Defense Technology Research and Development.
  • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of Proposed Air Force Base Actions.