Carter's Plan for MX Lives On.

Area of Science:

• Military Strategy
• Nuclear Security
• Aerospace Engineering

Background:

• US land-based nuclear missile forces are vulnerable to preemptive attack.
• The Air Force has long sought improved basing for Minuteman and MX missiles.
• Previous basing plans, like multiple protective shelters (MPS), have been considered and altered.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the vulnerability of US land-based nuclear missiles.
• To explore various missile basing strategies proposed by different administrations.
• To understand the historical context and evolution of US nuclear missile basing plans.

Main Methods:

• Review of historical US Air Force strategies and administration decisions.
• Analysis of proposed missile basing plans, including MPS, silo-based, airborne, and underground options.
• Examination of the rationale behind concerns regarding missile vulnerability.

Main Results:

• The US land-based nuclear missile force is identified as vulnerable to preemptive strikes.
• Multiple basing strategies have been proposed and debated, including MPS, silo augmentation, airborne, and deep underground options.
• Shifting administration priorities have led to changes in missile basing plans.

Conclusions:

• Addressing nuclear missile vulnerability requires continuous strategic reassessment.
• The evolution of basing plans reflects ongoing efforts to ensure nuclear deterrent survivability.
• The selection of a basing strategy involves complex technical, strategic, and political considerations.