Physics and technology of the arms race Available to Purchase

Traditional military concepts of superiority and effectiveness (as embodied in Lanchester’s law) have little relevance to thermonuclear weapons, with their enormous effectiveness in destruction of society. Few are needed to saturate their deterrent effect, but their military effectiveness is limited. The evolution and future of strategic nuclear forces is discussed, and their declining marginal utility emphasized. Some calculatons relevant to the nuclear confrontation are presented (Lanchester’s Law; skin effect of VLF and ELF signals to submarines; the rocket equation; simple radar‐range equation) and recommendations presented for future strategic forces and arms control initiatives. Recommended programs include a silo‐based 12‐ton single‐warhead missile (SICM), the development of buried‐bomb defense of individual Minuteman silos, the completion of the deployment of air‐launched cruise missiles on the B‐52 fleet, and the development of small (1000‐ton) submarines for basing ICBM‐range missiles. Limiting the threat by arms control should include ratification of SALT II, followed by negotiation of a protrocool to allow a SICM and dedicated silo to be deployed for each two, SALT‐II‐allowed warheads given up; a ban on weapons in space and anti‐satellite tests; and an eventual reduction to 1000 nuclear warheads in U.S. and Soviet inventories.