Conventional prompt global strike (CPGS) is a military option under consideration by the U.S. Department of Defense. This book, the final report from the National Research Council's Committee on Conventional Prompt Global Strike Capability, analyzes proposed CPGS systems and evaluates the potential role CPGS could play in U.S. defense.


U.S. Conventional Prompt Global Strike provides near-, mid-, and long-term recommendations for possible CPGS development, addressing the following questions:




Does the United States need CPGS capabilities?
What are the alternative CPGS systems, and how effective are they likely to be if proposed capabilities are achieved?
What would be the implications of alternative CPGS systems for stability, doctrine, decision making, and operations?
What nuclear ambiguity concerns arise from CPGS, and how might they be mitigated?
What arms control issues arise with CPGS systems, and how might they be resolved?
Should the United States proceed with research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) of the Conventional Trident Modification (CTM) program5 and, ultimately, with CTM production and deployment?
Should the United States proceed with the development and testing of alternative CPGS systems beyond CTM?

Table of Contents


Front Matter
Summary
1 Introduction
2 Military Issues
3 Political, International, Policy, and Doctrinal Issues
4 Technology Issues
5 Assessment of Conventional Prompt Global Strike Options - Synthesis
6 Key Questions and Major Findings and Recommendations
Appendix A: Acronyms and Abbreviations
Appendix B: Letter from Senators Inouye and Stevens
Appendix C: Committee and Staff Biographies
Appendix D: Statement of Task and Congressional Language
Appendix E: Interim Letter Report to Congress
Appendix F: Summary of Committee Meeting Agendas
Appendix G: The Why and How of Boost-Glide Systems
Appendix H: Cooperative Reduction ofNuclear Ambiguity
Appendix I: The Minuteman Option