MX Survivability: Passive and Active Defense.

摘要

This thesis investigated MX survivability when a layered or terminal defense system is deployed with various numbers of multiple protective shelters (MPS). The layered defense system defends the MX with an exoatmospheric layer which is augmented by an endoatmospheric layer. The exoatmospheric layer protects the MX with long-wave infrared (LWIR) guided interceptors; which must directly impact an incoming RV at approximately 300,000 feet altitude to destroy it. The endoatmospheric layer consists of a terminal BMD system known as Low Altitude Defense (LoAD) which defends the MX with three hypersonic, nuclear armed interceptor missiles. The terminal defense system consists of either one or two LoAD systems, and draws conclusions on these systems based on quantitative and qualitative (ex., political) considerations. (Author)