Depressed Trajectory SLBMs: A Technical Evaluation and Arms
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Science & Global Security, 1992, Volume 3, pp.101-159 Photocopying pennitted by license only Reprints available directly from the publisher If) 1992 Gordon and Breach Science Publishers S.A. Printed in the United States of America Depressed Trajectory SLBMs: A Technical Evaluation and Arms Control Possibilities Lisbeth Gronlunda and David C. Wrighfb SLBMs flown on depressed trajectories would have short flight times, comparableto escapetimes of bombers and launch times of ICBMs, thus raising the possibility of short time-of-flight (STOF) nuclear attacks. We assess the depressed trajectory (DT) capability of existing SLBMs by calculating the flight times, atmospheric loading on the booster,reentry heating on the reentry vehicle (RV),and degradationof accuracy for a DT SLBM. We find that current US and CIS SLBMs flown on depressed trajecto- ries would have the capability to attack bomber basesat ranges of up to about 2,000 kilometers, and possiblyat ranges up to 3,000kilometers. Totarget bombers based fur- thest inland, a new high-velocity boostermight be required, and attacking hardened targets would require a maneuvering RV (MaRY). We conclude that DT capabilities could be effectivelycontrolled by the combination of an apogee restriction on the flight testing of existing SLBMs and bans on the development of high-velocity boosters and MaRVs,and that, in view of their inherent STOF capabilities,deep cuts in the number of SLBMs or their elimination might be desirable for an optimal minimum-deterrent force structure. a. Center for International Security Studies, University of Maryland, College Park MD 20740 b. Union of Concerned Scientists, 1616 P Street, NW, Suite 310, Washington DC 20036
Depressed Trajectory SLBMs: A Technical Evaluation and Arms
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