New START, PCGS and ABM

[Gridlock]

(sorry if this is the wrong topic!)

http://pollack.armscontrolwonk.com/archive/3234/two-time-bombs-in-new-start

Nice write-up on the... varying interpretations of START and threats to its longevity posed by PCGS, hyper-glide vehicles etc as well as ABM developments.

"the Administration has also found a rationale for exempting CPGS from the Treaty limits entirely. Current R&D efforts have turned away from ideas like the Conventional Trident Modification — a non-nuclear SLBM — and toward new missiles that launch hypersonic glide vehicles. The article-by-article analysis submitted along with New START strongly hints that these sorts of weapons would be “new kinds” of weapons other than ballistic missiles or bombers, and therefore not controlled by the Treaty"

 

[bobbymike]

Contingency Planning Underway for New START Compliance:

The Air Force is hard at work on contingency planning should the Senate ratify the New START arms reduction agreement with Russia this year, according to Maj. Gen. William Chambers, who oversees nuclear matters on the Air Staff. Speaking Wednesday at an Air Force Association-sponsored Air Force Breakfast Series presentation in Arlington, Va., Chambers said Air Force officials are currently preparing the logistical and budgetary framework needed to comply with the pact, should it enter into force. While New START's limits on nuclear force levels will have little effect on either the active nuclear-capable bomber fleet or personnel levels within Air Force Global Strike Command, they will require many stored assets to be "completely de-fanged," he said. Most likely to face the axe would be mothballed B-52s and a number of Peacekeeper ICBM silos presently maintained in renewable condition. A Pentagon compliance review group would define whether, and in what manner, to scrap aircraft and silos, he said

 

[Grey Havoc]

Alas, less than a year later, New START has proven to be a disaster, for the US at least. No surprise there.

 

[sferrin]

Maybe we should plan by building new SLBMs, ICBMs, and SSBNs like the Russians.

 

[John21]

I realize this is a bit late but why the heck aren't we designing new missiles and nuclear warheads or at least modernizing and recapitalizing our inventory? It just makes no sense they Russia seems to be designing new nukes and missiles by the armfull while we stand by with our thumbs up our ass looking dumb.

 

[sferrin]

I realize this is a bit late but why the heck aren't we designing new missiles and nuclear warheads or at least modernizing and recapitalizing our inventory? It just makes no sense they Russia seems to be designing new nukes and missiles by the armfull while we stand by with our thumbs up our ass looking dumb.

Apparently that's what's known as being "progressive".