THE PEACEKEEPER PROGRAM ASSESSMENT (NSDD-73)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP10M00666R000300920001-7
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 17, 2011
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: January 3, 1983
• Content Type: MEMO

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NO. NSDD 73
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NATIONAL SECURITY
COUNCIL
INFORMATION
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DATE NAME DATE NAME
22 JAN 91 OGC
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SECRET
THE WHITE HOUSE
CONFIDENTIAL WITH
SECRET ATTACHMENT
January 3, 1983
System II
91046
MEMORANDUM FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT
THE SECRETARY OF STATE
THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
THE DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
THE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
THE CHAIRMAN, JOINT CHIEFS OF-STAFF
THE DIRECTOR, ARMS CONTROL AND DISARMAMENT AGENCY
THE DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY
SUBJECT: The Peacekeeper Program Assessment (NSDD-73) (U)
The President has sign the attached National Security Decision
Directive on the Peacekeeper program. (C)
CONFIDENTIAL WITH
SECRET ATTACHMENT
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C,l4
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SECRET' 91046
THE WHITE HOUSE
Nationat S ecu c. ty Decizion
DLnectLve Namben 73
WASHINGTON
January 3, 1983
THE PEACEKEEPER PROGRAM ASSESSMENT (U)
On November 22, 1982, I issued NSDD-69 to provide direction for
the deployment of 100 Peacekeeper missiles in an array of 100
closely spaced, superhardened silos located at or near Francis E.
Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. Since that time, the Congress
decided in their 1983 Continuing Resolution to provide no
procurement funds, to restrict obligation or expenditure of funds
for full-scale engineering development of a permanent basing mode,
and to prohibit missile flight testing until both Houses of the
Congress have approved a permanent basing mode. In addition, the
Congress requested that I submit a report to the Committees on
Appropriations not earlier than March 1, 1983. (U)
Although the Congress has directed that the report not be
submitted earlier than March 1, it is critical that the report
be submitted no later than that date so as to facilitate
Congressional action and assure the earliest possible initial
operational capability.of the missile in an approved basing mode.
To facilitate this process, I have established a Commission on
Strategic Forces, with technical and administrative support to
be provided by the Department of Defense. (U)
The Commission, working in cooperation with the Department of
Defense, will prepare the report requested by the Congress and
submit it through the National Security Council to the President
no later than February 18, 1983. The report will include the
following information:
A. A detailed technical and strategic assessment of the
closely spaced basing system recommended to the Congress
on November 22, 1982, including modifications determined
to be advisable.
B. A detailed technical and strategic assessment of other .
basing systems for the Peacekeeper missile that might serve
as alternatives to closely spaced basing, such as Minuteman
silos, deep underground basing, multiple protective shelters
and closely spaced basing incorporating mobility and
deception, silos on the reverse side of mesas, and new
widely spaced hard silos.
C. A detailed technical and strategic assessment of different
types of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs)
together with appropriate basing modes that might serve as
alternatives to the Peacekeeper missile, such as an enhanced
and improved Minuteman missile, a common missile, and a
small missile.
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D. A comparative technical assessment of the options
considered in A, B, C.
E. A detailed comparative technical, strategic, and foreign
policy assessment of alternatives to maintaining the ICBM
in the strategic Triad, including acceleration and/or
expansion of the following'programs: Trident SSBN with
D-5 missiles, second generation cruise missile, i-lB
bomber, and the advanced technology bomber.
The assessments will address, as a minimum, the following
subjects`:
A. Military capability and deterrence value.
B. Survivability against current, projected and responsive
Soviet threats.
C. Projected costs required to support each alternative,
including those associated with command, control, and
communications.
D. Impact on present and future arms reduction negotiations.
E. Foreign policy considerations.
F. SALT (IA, ABM, SALT II) interim restraint considerations.
G. Geographic, geological, and other qualifications a site
would require.
H. Likely environmental impacts and public interest. issues.
I. Identification of possible sites. (U)
An initial operational capability of 1986 and fully operational
capability of 1989-should be maintained as critical objectives
for both the missile and basing mode. If an alternative
missile; -bdsrng-,nude,--or-system does not permit this schedule,
the earliest achievable dates must be clearly identified and
taken into account in each assessment. (C)
In the-interim, gntil the Congress completes the evaluation and
responds to the President's decision, all activities required
to maintain a 1986 IOC for closely spaced basing, and which are
not incompatible with restrictions set forth by Congress, should
be continued. Ifi this way, all options will remain open, while
not prejudicing the ultimate decision. (S)
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