Nuclear dynamics in a multipolar strategic ballistic missile defense world
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Authors
Ferguson, Charles D.
MacDonald, Bruce W.
Subjects
Advisors
Date of Issue
2017-07
Date
Publisher
Federation of American Scientists
Language
Abstract
We are focused on understanding the nuclear dynamics of a world in which more than one nation is developing and deploying ballistic missile defense systems for strategic purposes. Strategic purposes could mean for defense of a national territory, defending command and control centers, protecting nuclear-armed ballistic missiles to help ensure retaliatory forces, or providing political cover for development of anti-satellite weapons that could target strategic military communications as well as command and control satellites. Strategic BMD is distinguishable from theater missile defenses (TMD), which are designed for defending smaller areas or for providing “point” protection of military units. Strategic BMD is also typically designed to counter long-range ballistic missiles, such as intercontinental
range ballistic missiles (ICBMs), especially in the context of the United States wanting protection against adversaries who are an ocean’s distance away or farther. However, in the context of neighboring nuclear adversaries such as India and Pakistan, strategic BMD would target shorter-range ballistic missiles while India would also consider strategic BMD for protection against medium- to intermediate-range Chinese ballistic missiles. In sum, strategic BMD is not so much about the range of missile threats but rather the context of national security purposes.
Type
Report
Description
Department
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Naval Postgraduate School
Funder
Grant no. N00244-16-1-0028
Format
40 p.
Citation
Distribution Statement
Rights
Copyright is reserved by the copyright owner