(U) Conventional Ballistic Missile (CBM) with Maneuverable Non-Nuclear Reentry Vehicle (MNNRV)

(The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).)

Overview: (U)
(U) The Conventional Ballistic Missile (CBM) with Maneuverable Non-Nuclear Reentry Vehicle (MNNRV) supports the Space Force Application mission to conduct global prompt strikes through and from space against terrestrial targets.   The MNNRV system would likely be based on the Eastern or Western ranges (ER and WR) to insure treaty compliance with the nuclear ICBMs, and to limit collateral damage from falling boosters.  In addition, these systems could be open to inspectors from various countries to provide validity to US claims that they are not nuclear.  Additional measures such as introducing an inert material in the propellant which will help distinguish its signature from other missiles could be incorporated.  The Maneuverable Non-Nuclear Reentry Vehicle would likely be equipped with either a kinetic energy warhead to penetrate deep and hardened targets or with various submunitions.

Description: (U)
(U) The precision delivery capabilities of a conventional ICBM could enable conventionally armed Maneuverable Non-Nuclear Re-entry Vehicle (MNNRV) to strike targets with limited collateral damage, and accuracy's which would provide the desired level of effects. MNNRVs would rely primarily on maneuvers, and very high reentry speeds to evade defenses, thereby aiding penetration to assigned targets.  The limited controllability of the MNNRV, allows for precision attacks against high value, time-critical hard surface and hard and deeply buried targets. A CBM ACTD with a MNNRV is planned for 2000, and funding has been partially identified for this program.

User Impact: (U)
(U)  Space offers global coverage, quick response, and reduced risk to our forces.  This concept would give the user, US Space Command, the capability to strike targets from space or through space by non-nuclear means.  The importance to the warfighter is that this weapon would provide the capability for prompt, on-demand precision strike, flexible strike for different types of targets such as hard and deeply buried targets and also mobile targets, and flexible effects to satisfy delay, deny, defeat deficiencies.  Flexible effects are more noticeable for hard and deeply buried targets than for mobile targets.  

Programmatics: (U)
(U) Programmable.
	(U) IOC: 10/1999 (1QFY2000).

Related Initiatives: (U)
(U) Ballistic Missile Replacement, CBM with Common Aero-Vehicle, Eastern Range, MM Guidance Replacement Prog, MM III Sustainment/Deactivation, MM Propulsion Replacement Prog, PK Sustainment/Deactivation, Western Range

Related Requirements: (U)
(U) None.

Related Categories: (U)
(U) Non-Nuclear Strike

Road Map Placements: (U)
(U) FORCE APPLICATION.

Lead Office: (U)
(U) Air Force.

Date of Information: (U)
13 April 1998

(The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).)