Trident
Tracing the Course of Nuclear Weapons Technology
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 11924002 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Graham Spinardi (0000-0003-2631-2240, Science Studies Unit, University of Edinburgh, 34 Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh EH8 9JT, Scotland, UK., corresponding author) |
| Year | 1987 |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 371-381 |
| Publication date | 1987-05-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Social Studies of Science (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0306-3127 • E-ISSN: 1460-3659 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/030631287017002011 |
| OpenAlex | W1972395090 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 3 |
Given the potentially apocalyptic nature of our nuclear predicament, any detailed studies of the development of nuclear weaponry are welcome. However, submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) are especially interesting because they have traditionally epitomized what many considered to be the ideal deterrent. Not only are they virtually invulnerable, once at sea, but they have also lacked sufficient accuracy to threaten protected enemy targets, such as hardened missile silos. Thus they are seen as very stabilizing, offering little value in a first strike, but ensuring deadly retaliation. Moreover, because of their deployment method, SLBMs are the ultimate in weapons systems. 1 Not only must warheads, guidance and piopulsion be combined in the missiles, but these must be compatible with missile submarines which in turn require a supporting infrastructure for navigation and communication. Finally, two US SLBMs Polaris and Trident II have the additional interest of forming the basis of Britain's independent nuclear deterrent
Adversary · Aeronautics · Ballistic missile · Computer security · Course (navigation · Marine engineering · Missile · Nuclear weapon · Political science · Software deployment · Submarine · Tracing · Trident · Warhead · Computer Science · Engineering · European and Russian Geopolitical Military Strategies · History · International Relations and Foreign Policy · Law · Nuclear Issues and Defense · Aerospace Engineering
| Highly cited | No |
|---|