THE MANNED BOMBER AND STRATEGIC DETERRENCE: THE U.S. AIR FORCE PERSPECTIVE

In: International security, Band 15, Heft 1, S. 100-128

Abstract

SECRETARY OF THE U.S. AIR FORCE, DONALD RICE, OFFERS A COMPREHENSIVE JUSTIFICATION FOR THE B-2 BOMBER, ARGUING THAT IT IS AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF THE U.S. STRATEGIC TRIAD. WITHOUT THE B-2 THE U.S. BOMBER FORCE WILL DWINDLE. HE ARGUES THAT THE USSR WILL LACK THE CAPABILITY FOR A SURPRISE SLBM ATTACK. HE ALSO SUGGESTS THAT ESTIMATES OF THE COST OF THE B-2 ARE INFLATED.