Arlington, VA | September 11, 2024 — The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies is pleased to announce a new entry in its Policy Paper series, On U.S. Nuclear Deterrence by Gen Kevin P. Chilton, USAF (ret.), Explorer Chair at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE).
“I originally wrote this primer on U.S. nuclear deterrence nearly seven years ago as a means to educate the public on the importance of this enterprise, which is critical to our existential interests. While much has changed in the global landscape over that time, one thing, unfortunately, has not: U.S. nuclear forces have not been fully reconstituted and remain unmodernized. Some steps toward progress have been made, namely the amazing progress on the B-21 Raider program and the LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM Ground Based Strategic Deterrent program. It is imperative now these programs receive the support and resources they require to succeed, as they cannot falter—this is a no-fail mission. It is my hope that this primer, with a few updates, continues to help educate on the importance of nuclear deterrence, as it underpins not only our national security, but global security for all nations.”
Gen Kevin P. Chilton, USAF (Ret.), 2024
A version of this essay first appeared in Strategic Studies Quarterly vol. 11, no 4, Winter 2017.
Read our follow-on Policy Paper, Defending the Record on U.S. Nuclear Deterrence
The Mitchell Institute Policy Papers is a series presenting new thinking and policy proposals to respond to the emerging security and aerospace power challenges of the 21st century. These papers are written for lawmakers and their staffs, policy professionals, business and industry, academics, journalists, and the informed public.
For media inquiries, email our publications team at publications.mitchellaerospacepower@afa.org
Copies of Policy Papers can be downloaded at https://www.mitchellaerospacepower.org/publications