U.S. Forward Maritime Strategy and Soviet SSBNs: Optimum Targetting or Escalatory Dilemma

• Main Author: Fanjoy, Richard O.
• Other Authors: NATIONAL WAR COLL WASHINGTON DC
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1990
• Subjects: Naval Surface Warfare; Undersea and Antisubmarine Warfare; *NUCLEAR WEAPONS; *USSR; *MILITARY STRATEGY; *ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE; *BALLISTIC MISSILE SUBMARINES; *ARCTIC REGIONS; MILITARY FORCES(UNITED STATES); FORWARD AREAS; OKHOTSK SEA; NATO FORCES; BERING SEA; DETERRENCE; MILITARY FORCES(FOREIGN); ARMS CONTROL; NAVAL WARFARE; SUBMARINE DETECTION; ATTACK SUBMARINES; *SSBM CLASS VESSELS; SLBM(SUBMARINE LAUNCHED BALLISTIC MISSILES); SLCM(SUBMARINE LAUNCHED CRUISE MISSILES); ARCTIC ICE PACK; SOSUS(SOUND SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS); HOME PORTS; BASTIONS; SLOC(SEA LINES OF COMMUNICATION); NUCLEAR DETERRENCE; Arctic; Bering Sea; Okhotsk; Kola Peninsula; ice pack; kola peninsula; okhotsk sea
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA437400; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA437400

As the 1990s approach, there is increasing attention focused on the U.S. force structure required to meet the Soviet strategic threat. Although current events reflect a changing Europe and the viability of the Warsaw Pact is suspect, Soviet strategic forces still constitute a significant threat to our nation. SSBNs in particular, operating from oceanic patrol areas, in port, or from Arctic bastions, provide the Soviets with a capability that is not easily countered. George Lindsey, in his paper "Strategic Stability in the Arctic," argues that NATO SSNs should be used to put pressure on Soviet SSBNs and their Kola Peninsula bases using torpedoes and submarine-launched cruise missiles (SLCMs). He also describes the risk to carrier strike groups operating near Arctic bastions as unacceptable. This paper will address these issues and U.S. strategy options.