The Ethics of Disengaged Combat and the Fielding of Conventional Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles

By Thomas A. Rudy

Although the United States (US) is no longer in an arms race with another superpower and there is reduced fear of a potential global nuclear war, there are still states who have nuclear weapons and others-states and non-state actors-who pursue them. Therefore, "the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile] ICBM-ready, accurate, able to blast any target on Earth in 35 minutes-will continue to occupy an important place" in the United State's continuum of capabilities.1 These ICBMs have already been around for more than 40 years and their mission has remained steady. Their mission has been to deter any aggressor. But, if deterrence fails, ICBMs would withstand the attack and provide the ability to instantly retaliate. Additionally, from the Cold War through today, all ICBMs have had nuclear warheads and inertial type guidance systems to strike their targets. As this paper is being written, however, Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) is looking at the viability of fielding an ICBM "equipped with high-explosive, precision-guided warheads" to deliver conventional ordinance on strategic targets.2 But, is this capability really needed?

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1249837928
• ISBN13: 9781249837923
• Release Date: October 2012
• Publisher: Biblioscholar
• Length: 34 Pages
• Weight: 0.14 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 6.1" x 9.2"