ABSTRACT
The nuclear arms race has intensified in the 1980s. New roles are being planned for nuclear weapons as technological developments enable planners to think of using highly sophisticated weapons in selective ways. The introduction of new sea-launched cruise missiles will change the role of the navy in wartime. Since the election of President Reagan in 1980, the United States has been engaged in a massive modernization programme for its nuclear weapons. US forces are divided into three categories: land-based missiles, submarine-launched missiles and long-range bombers. As part of its land-based missile programme, the United States continued to develop the MX, which is a highly accurate multiple-warhead missile, of which it is planned to have 10 in place by 1987 and 100 by 1989 at a total cost of nearly $30 billion. The B-1B bomber is part of the US strategic nuclear modernization programme. It incorporates several elements of the latest technology such as sophisticated radars, navigational aids and jamming equipment.
