Strategic Futures. Evolving Missions for Traditional Strategic Delivery Vehicles.

Abstract

This report addresses the post-Cold War role of traditional U.S. strategic nuclear forces (nuclear-armed long-range bombers, inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) from three perspectives: (1) 'Top-down'/goal-driven: In the new and evolving strategic environment, what strategic missions may be needed to fulfill emerging national security objectives? ( 2) 'Bottom-up'/technology- and system-driven: What technological opportunities are afforded by existing and potential capabilities? (3) Policy issues: How will various policy choices affect research and development (R&D), acquisition, and counterproliferation strategy alternatives? The study's objective was to gain a long view of possible directions for future strategic forces and lay out the basis for supportable R&D and acquisition initiatives to be pursued by defense agencies and the Services.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1995
Accession Number
ADA294836

Entities

People

  • Peter A. Wilson
  • Richard Mesic
  • Roger Molander

Organizations

  • RAND Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Sensors
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Anti-Ballistic Missiles
  • Arms Control Treaties
  • Combat Areas
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Guided Bombs
  • Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles
  • Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles
  • Military Organizations
  • National Security
  • Rockets
  • Strategic Weapons
  • Surveillance
  • Target Recognition
  • Theater Ballistic Missiles
  • United States Strategic Command
  • Weapons Effects

Readers

  • Missile Defense Systems.
  • Strategic Security Studies