U.S. Conventional Prompt Global Strike Issues for 2008 and Beyond (2008) / Chapter Skim
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5 Assessment of Conventional Prompt Global Strike Options - Synthesis
5 Assessment of Conventional Prompt Global Strike Options - Synthesis
Pages 138-146
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From page 138... ...
2006. Initial Capabilities Document, Stage for Prompt Global Strike (U)
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From page 139... ...
or CTM-2 is a relatively inexpensive potential means to meet important aspects of the CPGS need and to do so in 3 to 5 years, any longer-term, more versatile option will be a far more expensive national investment that the committee believes, for reasons discussed below, must be put into the broader context of the nation's strategic strike policy and national security strategy. The committee believes that a comprehensive examination of future strategic strike or deep strike would likely result in an allocation of requirements to CPGS weapons different from that defined in the ICD.
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From page 140... ...
. Technical Assessment: Options in Broader Operational Concepts As noted earlier, in a broader study exploring the full range of strategic strike developments feasible in the next decade or so, requirements might reasonably be apportioned so that a ballistic missile with limited warhead capacity and versatility would handle situations truly requiring flight times of 1 hour or initial penetration into highly defended areas, while long-range air-breathing vehicles with more general utility would handle situations in which a wide range of targets must be struck.
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From page 141... ...
Assuming that tests confirm that CTM would meet planned performance goals, it provides some important capabilities in the relatively near term, is very inexpensive by DOD standards, has low technical risk, and builds on a well-proven and comprehensive system -- the Fleet Ballistic Missile force and its infrastructure. Remaining technical uncertainties require that the range of military effectiveness of the CTM be established by testing the delivery accuracy and the effects on target of the munitions prior to deployment.
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From page 142... ...
The committee is confident that the Navy has proposed adequate technical and procedural safeguards against the accidental launch of a nuclear weapon in mixed loads (with the proviso that an expert red team critically review them) and that mixed loads would have no detrimental effect on the nation's nuclear deterrent capability for the next decade or more.
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From page 143... ...
Land-Based Ballistic Missiles Land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) have the range, fast time of flight, and survivability for CPGS, as well as relatively low technical risk.
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From page 144... ...
Its ability to alter its trajectory significantly would reduce overflight issues, enable significant cross-range diverting capability for in-flight retargeting, and permit tailoring the end-game approach angle for improved weapons system effectiveness. A boost-glide missile would be easy to differentiate from a ballistic missile late in flight, but its maneuverability raises uncertainty about its destination until then.
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From page 145... ...
A similar missile could also be launched from SSGNs, and Chapter 4 includes a conceptual design study trading range, warhead size, and firepower, complementing the previously mentioned study for IRBMs. Compared to IRBMs, cruise missiles (high- or low-speed)
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From page 146... ...
Boost-glide missiles and hypersonic cruise missiles hold promise of versatile capabilities but have high technical risk and questionable survivability against defenses. Land-based ballistic missiles offer little that sea-launched missiles do not, although land-basing avoids concerns about impacting the sea-based nuclear deterrence mission.
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