Triad or Dyad for the 1990s: A Balance of Reality

摘要

As the United States enters the decade of the 1990s, it is essential to review the guidance and policies for our force structures. At the focal point of discussion on future force structures for the United States is the strategic nuclear forces. The strategic nuclear force structure for the United States has been predicated on the concept of a Triad, which consists of three legs: land-based ballistic missiles, sea-based ballistic missiles, and manned strategic bombers. Each of the legs consists of separate components. Understanding the tradition of the United States' strategic deterrent being predicated on the Triad concept, it is concluded that with the changing international environment and the declaratory statements for continuing to decrease the defense budget, a new and realistic review of the factors for determining a strategic nuclear force should be researched. For this study, the research has centered on four major areas and the impact that each may have in deciding future U.S. strategic nuclear weapon systems. The major areas are as follows: (1) current strategic threat of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact; (2) arms control with regard to a START Treaty and SDI potential to counter the threat of nuclear proliferation; (3) current and planned strategic weapon systems of the Triad; and (4) Congressional and Administration debates on the previous three areas with regard to the appropriate force structure within the current and forecasted budgetary constraints. The final results of the research have indicated sufficient evidence that a policy review of the strategic nuclear Triad should be conducted to meet the challenges and realities of the 1990s and the 21st century.