Cruise Missile Penaid Nonproliferation: New Measures to Dissuade WMD Proliferation and Reinforce Deterrence

Abstract

While the United States has invested resources to develop missile defenses, complementary nonproliferation measures to hinder the spread of complex cruise missile penetration technology are lacking. New measures are necessary to restrict the proliferation of penetrations aids (penaids) to ensure that cruise missiles remain viable delivery systems and discourage WMD proliferation. To control the threat, the project will define and prioritize which penaid technologies and equipment, if proliferated, would constitute the emerging threat to American cruise missiles. RAND will identify penaids, penaid dispersal systems, penaid test systems, as well as their key technologies. The research builds on previous RAND-sponsored work on new measures to restrict the spread of penaids in ballistic missiles.