Attacking the mobile ballistic missile threat in the post-Cold War environment

The threat to US national security from mobile ballistic missiles is at least as great today as at any time in history to include the heights of the Cold War. Proliferation of missile technology and associated weapons of mass destruction already jeopardize America's ability to project power to any corner of the globe. The 1991 Gulf War opened our eyes to the significant potential of this threat. Perhaps most importantly, the necessity for a more responsive post-Cold War strategic mind-set and doctrine for attacking these mobile menaces was underscored. As such, this study offers the following six recommendations: 1. Develop those capabilities that allow persistent surveillance and reconnaissance coupled with the ability to discriminate between potential targets before conducting precision strike operations. 2. Augment the concept of deterrence with that of pre-emption in joint military planning and doctrine. 3. Develop a focused, counterforce-minded, joint community responsible for hunting and destroying ground-mobile ballistic missile launchers. It is vital that this team include elements of the national intelligence community to ensure information stovepipes are broken down. 4. Create a formal joint school and specific identity for those involved in the defense against mobile missiles. 5. Implement the RAND mobile ballistic missile counterforce concept. 6. Conduct regular formal training, exercises, and evaluations for the units specifically responsible for the battle against ground-mobile ballistic missiles.