The importance of weaponry.. How it affects the current world
Weapons are used to increase the efficacy and efficiency of activities such as hunting, crime,
law enforcement, self-defense, and warfare. In broader context, weapons may be construed to
include anything used to gain a tactical, strategic, material or mental advantage over an
adversary or enemy target.
The time is right for a fundamental rethinking of the role of nuclear weapons in national
defense and of the composition of our nuclear forces. The Cold War is over, but it has been
replaced by new threats to our national security. Technology, here and abroad, is inexorably
advancing, creating both dangers and opportunities for the United States. This paper analyzes
the future role of nuclear weapons in national security, describes the roles and limitations of
advanced conventional weapons in meeting strategic needs, and suggests several alternate
scenarios for future U.S. nuclear forces.
The principal role of nuclear weapons is to deter potential adversaries from an attack on the
United States, our allies, or our vital interests. Russia maintains very large strategic and tactical
nuclear forces. China is actively modernizing its nuclear arsenal. India and Pakistan have
dramatically demonstrated the ability of midlevel technology states to develop or acquire
nuclear weapons. There are grave concerns about the future proliferation of nuclear weapons
among such countries as North Korea, Iraq, and Iran. The nuclear age is far from over.
Advances in conventional weapons technology suggest that by 2020 precision long-range
conventional weapons may be capable of performing some of the missions currently assigned
to nuclear weapons. Today, uncertainty in the location of road mobile missiles carrying
weapons of mass destruction might require a nuclear weapon for assured destruction. Future
real-time imagery and battle management, combined with precision strike long-range missiles,
may mean that a conventional weapon could effectively destroy such targets.
Some targets require the energy of a nuclear weapon for their destruction. However, precision
targeting can greatly reduce the nuclear yield required to destroy such targets. Only a relatively
few targets require high nuclear yields. Advantages of lower yields include reduced collateral
damage, arms control advantages to the United States, and the possibility that such weapons
could be maintained with higher confidence and at lower cost than our current nuclear arsenal.
Now is the time to reexamine the role and composition of our future nuclear forces. New
technologies take at least a decade to move from the concept stage to the point where we can
rely on them for our nations defense. And, advance planning is already under way for the
replacements of our nuclear capable missiles, aircraft, and sub-marines. Prudent thought given
to this crucial subject will reap great dividends for the United States and for peace in the world.