Abstract
The logic of nuclear deterrence suggests that the most important criteria for strategic force structuring are enhanced survivability potential and retaliation reliability. This paper argues that (1) the survivability potential of land-based ICBMs may be enhanced through deployment of mobile missiles, specifically the single-warhead Midgetman missile on hard mobile launchers; (2) deployment of Midgetman will increase crisis and arms race stability and should be assessed within this context, not on the narrow criterion of cost-effectiveness; and (3) the pace of technological innovations in weapons technology suggests that (given tactical warning) the Midgetman mobile missile is superior to the rail garrison MX, providing for both enhanced survivability and retaliatory reliability.
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