Future Directions in Nuclear Arms Control and Verification
Future Directions in Nuclear Arms Control and Verification
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Publication or External Link
Date
1998-04
Authors
Fetter, Steve
Advisor
Citation
Fetter, Steve. "Future Directions in Nuclear Arms Control and Verification," INESAP Bulletin, No. 15 (April 1998), pp. 50-54
DRUM DOI
Abstract
To date, nuclear arms control has focused on restricting the
number and capabilities of strategic nuclear delivery vehicles—
intercontinental missiles and bombers. In the future, it will
become increasingly important to combine these measures with
restrictions on nuclear warhead and fissile-material stockpiles
and on the operation and targeting of nuclear forces. Restrictions
on nuclear warheads, materials, operations, and targeting would
not only help improve stability, but would also help reduce the
risk of accidental, unauthorized, or erroneous use of nuclear
weapons. A major challenge is verifying compliance with such
restrictions. This paper outlines the technical possibilities for
verifying limits on stockpiles of warheads and fissile materials,
on the dismantling of nuclear warheads and the disposition of
fissile materials, and on the launch-readiness of nuclear forces in
the hope of stimulating further research on these topics.
Notes
Delivered at the 62nd meeting of the German Physical Society, Regensburg, Germany, 26 March 1998