Tactical Nuclear Weapons in Europe: Strategy and Future Trends

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the future principles of employment of tactical nuclear weapons (TNW) in the NATO Central Region and the manner in which they should be integrated into the overall force structure. This study concentrates on the command and control and stockpiling aspects of this very difficult and politically sensitive problem. The four models offered are: (1) mixed stockpile of U.S. and non-U.S. tactical nuclear weapons; (2) stockpile solely in the custody of U.S. forces positioned in the Central Region (current situation); (3) non-U.S. tactical nuclear weapon stockpile on the Central Region; and (4) U.S. only TNW stockpile positioned outside the Central Region. Although conceding that alternative number 2 is the only realistic solution for the present situation, this study concludes that alternative number one will become increasingly attractive in the future, particularly with the continued trend toward the political unification of Western Europe.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 06, 1975
Accession Number
ADB006695

Entities

People

  • Nelson E. Modrall
  • Peter J. Von Geyso
  • Roger F. X. Carney

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Agreements
  • Air Force
  • Command And Control
  • Conventional Warfare
  • Deterrence
  • Doctrine
  • Employment
  • Europe
  • Force Structure
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Security
  • Stockpiles
  • United States
  • Warfare
  • Weapons
  • West Germany
  • Western Europe

Readers

  • International Relations and European Studies
  • Strategic Security Studies

Technology Areas

  • Fully Networked C3
  • Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control