WASHINGTON, March 31, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nuclear deterrence and defense should no longer be thought of and structured as separate strategies argues a new paper released today by Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Analysis Center.
"Deterrence and Defense in the 'Second Nuclear Age'" carefully examines the spectrum of conflict facing the nation and suggests a new approach for meeting current and future nuclear threats. The paper is available online at: http://www.analysiscenter.northropgrumman.com/papers.html
"Central to our argument is a strategy to integrate and synchronize nuclear deterrent and missile defense systems to meet future threats, thereby providing a broad range of flexible, integrated and time-sensitive options for U.S. decision-makers," said Dr. Robert P. Haffa Jr., Analysis Center director.
Haffa and the paper's other co-authors, Ravi Hichkad, research associate; Dana Johnson, senior analyst; and Philip Pratt, director business development for Northrop Grumman Information Systems, presented the paper today at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
In the first nuclear age, shaped by a bipolar, long-term competition between two superpowers and their allies, American defense policy and nuclear strategy relied on the primacy of deterrence over defense.
In the second nuclear age, shaped by a multi-polar security environment, emerging threats and unstable regimes, non-deterrable actors have arrived on the scene. Consequently a layered, flexibly based and rapidly deployable ballistic missile defense system is required.
"Most critically, the second nuclear age requires a more flexible, comprehensive military strategy that fuses deterrence and defense and integrates them into our national security policies and practices," said Haffa.
Specifically, the paper recommends:
* Using the pending Quadrennial Defense Review and Nuclear Posture Review to sustain and strengthen the credibility and capability of the strategic triad; * Directing new investments toward increased awareness of emerging threats and enhanced long range strike; * Placing priority on building layered, global, rapidly deployable capabilities to defense against ballistic missiles; and * Institutionalizing the operational synchronization of nuclear deterrence and defense.
Northrop Grumman's Analysis Center is a corporate "think tank" charged with broad-ranging analyses of defense policy, military threats, industry competitors, military doctrine, operational concepts, and present and future business opportunities. To learn more about the Northrop Grumman Analysis Center, visit: http://www.analysiscenter.northropgrumman.com/
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.