STRATEGIC OFFENSE

A. OBJECTIVES

Under the guidance and direction of the President's 1981 strategic modernization program, the Air Force has been committed to improving two legs of the Triad, the landbased ICBM and the manned bomber. While our progress in these areas has not been as rapid as envisioned, we are bringing into the inventory effective weapon systems and improving the efficiency of the ones we have in order to increase our overall strategic capability and survivability. The reliability and effectiveness of our strategic weapon systems are critical to the freedom and well being of the United States. It is therefore imperative that we continue to improve and upgrade existing systems while acquiring new weapon systems in order to maintain our strategic deterrent posture.

B. INTERCONTINENTAL BALLISTIC MISSILES

BACKGROUND

Rationale: The ICBM is an essential part of the strategic Triad. These weapons account for approximately half of our day-to-day alert weapons. There are several factors which make the ICBM a critical component of the deterrent force. First, ICBMs are highly reliable and provide a prompt and accurate response against hardened military targets. Second, the ICBM complements the other forces in the Triad by protecting against a possible Soviet breakthrough which could put one of the other elements of the Triad at risk. Third, ICBMs introduce complexity, uncertainty, and an unacceptable price into any Soviet attack plan. The addition of mobility

PEACEKEEPER

to the ICBM force with Rail Garrison for the Peacekeeper and the Small Missile in a hardened mobile launcher will enhance the deterrent quality of the ICBM force.

The Scowcroft Commission recommended an ICBM Modernization Program in April 1983 which was endorsed by the President and approved by Congress. The Commission concluded that a single ICBM system could not fulfill all ICBM tasks. The Commission made several recommendations. First, deploy 100 Peacekeeper missiles in existing Minuteman silos. Second, develop an engineering design for a single-warhead ICBM that could be deployed in the early 1990s.

STRATEGIC OFFENSE

This ICBM would have reduced target value and increased survivability. Third, make a concerted effort to develop altemate basing modes that included hardened mobile launch vehicles.

Current Systems: Our ICBM modernization program stems from the need to redress the strategic asymmetry caused by the massive Soviet ICBM buildup which began in the early 1970s. Since then, the Soviet Union has deployed over 800 SS-17s, SS-18s, and SS-19s, all of which have excellent accuracy, and payloads as large or larger than Peacekeeper's payload. In addition, the Soviet Union has begun the deployment of the rail mobile SS-X-24 and road mobile SS-25. In stark contrast, the current U.S. ICBM force is aging and rehabilitation programs are required to keep Minuteman missiles operational and effective.

Currently the United States' ICBM force is composed of Peacekeeper, Minuteman II and III missiles. Titan missiles were retired from the U.S. inventory in 1987. Within the Minuteman system we will have a total of 950 missiles after 50 of the Minuteman IIIs are replaced by 50 Peacekeepers. In October 1986 the first of these 50 Peacekeepers went on alert at F.E. Warren AFB. Full operational capability of 50 Peacekeepers at F.Ē. Warren AFB is planned for December 1988.

Future Systems: Future initiatives in the ICBM area include continued research and development of advanced strategic missile systems including the Maneuvering Reentry Vehicle and penetration aids technologies. Congressional concem in 1986 with the issue of Minuteman silo survivability resulted in an authorization limitation to 50 Peacekeepers deployed in existing Minuteman silos. Congress specified that deployment of additional Peacekeepers was contingent on Congressional approval of a more survivable basing mode. To provide the additional survivability desired by the Congress, the President directed the Air Force to examine alternative basing modes for Peacekeeper missiles. After

SLAY

provides depot level on-site maintenance to ensure weapon system facility maintainability.

There are numerous Class IV modifications underway to support reliability and maintainability upgrades. The more important of these replace the outer zone security systems at the LFs and the splice cases in the hardened inter-site cable system, and address Electro-magnetic Pulse (EMP) protection in all 95 Minuteman launch control facilities (LCF'S).

The Class V modifications continue to improve system capability and keep pace with the evolving threat. The ICBM Rapid Execution and Combat Targeting (REACT) program will modify the Launch Control Center (LCC) to correct operability problems, improve combat crew responsiveness to launch directives, and provide rapid retargeting capability. It will also provide commonality between Minuteman and all other launch control centers.

Finally, aging support equipment such as transporter-erector vehicles and wing and depot test equipment is being replaced. These and other programs will keep Minuteman a credible part of the nuclear deterrent force well beyond the year 2000.

2. Peacekeeper

a. MISSION: The main purpose of deploying the Peacekeeper missile is to more effectively deter Soviet attack against the United States and our allies. The Peacekeeper is a four-stage ICBM configured to deliver up to ten Mark 21 reentry vehicles to different targets. Peacekeeper uses a state-of-the-art Advanced Inertial Reference Sphere guidance system to attain its high degree of accuracy. Peacekeeper is more accurate, carries more warheads, has greater range, and is more resistant to nuclear effects than other ICBM systems currently in the U.S. inventory.

By virtue of its improved damage expectancy against hardened military targets,

A

STRATEGIC OFFENSE

launches, all successful, have been completed. Flight test 9, the first launch from an operationally configured silo occured on August 23, 1985. Flight test 12, completed on May 21, 1986, was the first deployment of the full complement of ten reentry vehicles (RV). Flight test 13, completed August 23, 1986, tested the split footprint target capability. Flight test 17, the most recent launch, was completed on March 21, 1987. After 17 test flights, Peacekeeper accuracy is better than the mature system requirement.

The Peacekeeper missile deployment in southeastem Wyoming near Cheyenne is supported by the 90th Strategic Missile Wing at F.E. Warren AFB. Deployment of 50 Peacekeeper missiles to replace 50 Minuteman III missiles in existing silos began in Fiscal Year 1986. Deployment remains on track for an FOC in December 1988.

3. Peacekeeper Rail Garrison

a. MISSION: The Scowcroft Commission recommended continued development of advanced basing technology as a way of ensuring long-term ICBM survivability. In December 1986, the President selected the Rail Garrison mode for development as the most cost-effective way to achieve both survivable basing and military utility.

b. STATUS: In 1987, the Congress approved a program to continue the development of the Rail Garrison mode. A competitive contract for Basing Test and System Support was awarded in late Fiscal Year 1987. This effort will include assembly and system support, system requirements analysis, system test planning and conduct, training, garrison physical security, locomotive and maintenance car and railroad support equipment. In Fiscal Year 1988 competitive contracts will be awarded for development of the launch control system and the missile launch car. The development schedule allows for an initial operational capability in calendar year 1991. A decision on whether to produce

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and deploy Peacekeeper Rail Garrison will be made in Fiscal Year 1990.

Peacekeeper production, deployment and support activities are on schedule and within cost. Fiscal Year 1989 funding will be used to continue missile production for test missiles, conduct final RDT&E flight testing and evaluation, complete the construction of support facilities, and continue development of the Rail Garrison basing mode for additional Peacekeeper missiles.

4. Small ICBM

a. MISSION: In April 1983, the President's Commission on Strategic Forces, known as the Scowcroft Commission, recommended that the Air Force develop a small, single RV missile, flexible in terms of basing, and survivable in the nuclear conflict environment. The Small ICBM will present a relatively low value target and require a high exchange ratio from the attacker. Therefore, in addition to hard target capability and a responsiveness comparable to peacekeeper, the Small ICBM will be mobile, highly survivable, stabilizing, and will provide single RV targeting flexibility.