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Further Reading

Prompt Global Strike

The Prompt Global Strike (PGS) Mission Needs Statement (MNS) and follow-on PGS Initial Capabilities Document (ICD) identify the warfighter's need for a capability to strike globally, precisely, and rapidly, with kinetic effects, against high-payoff, time-sensitive targets in a single or multi-theater environment, when US and Allied forces have no permanent military presence or only limited infrastructure in a region, regardless of anti-access threats.

Current CPGS projects focus on the development and demonstration of technologies that could support an eventual U.S.-based operationally deployed system. Current efforts are examining three concepts: Hypersonic Technology Vehicle, Conventional Strike Missile, and Advanced Hypersonic Weapon. These projects are managed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Center, and Army Space and Missile Defense Command respectively.

In December 2002 the DepSecDef directed the Air Force and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to establish a joint program office, named Falcon, to accelerate the advanced technology efforts that could be leveraged for PGS. As a result of FY2005 Appropriations language prohibiting weaponization, CAV was redesignated the Hypersonic Technology Vehicle (HTV). The CAV PE funds the Air Force cost share for the HTV program culminating with two flight tests in 2009. The FY2008 Appropriations and Authorizations Acts noted the value of developing conventional prompt global strike technologies using a synergistic approach. Both Acts directed the consolidation of Navy & AF FY2008 PGS funding into a defense-wide PGS PE (0604165D8Z) under the cognizance of OSD AT&L. The FY2009 PB remained consistent with this direction by transferring all outyear funding from PE 0604856F into PE 0604165D8Z. The FY2008 Appropriations Act added funds to PE 0604856F in FY2008 for Ballistic Missile Technology development. BMT funds were added directly to PE 0604856F and were not transferred to the defense-wide PE.

The New START Treaty does not contain any constraints on current or planned U.S. conventional prompt global strike capability. The growth of unrivaled U.S. conventional military capabilities has contributed to our ability to reduce the role of nuclear weapons in deterring non-nuclear attacks, assuring allies and partners of our security commitments, and reinforcing regional security. The Department of Defense (DoD) is currently exploring the full range of technologies and systems for a Conventional Prompt Global Strike (CPGS) capability that could provide the President more credible and technically suitable options for dealing with new and evolving threats.

New START protects the U.S. ability to develop and deploy a CPGS capability. The Treaty in no way prohibits the United States from building or deploying conventionally-armed ballistic missiles. Long-range conventional ballistic missiles would count under the Treaty's limit of 700 delivery vehicles, and their conventional warheads would count against the limit of 1550 warheads, because the treaty does not make a distinction between missiles that are armed with conventional weapons and those that are armed with nuclear weapons. (The prior START treaty also made no such distinction). This warhead ceiling would accommodate any plans the United States might develop during the life of this Treaty to deploy conventional warheads on ballistic missiles.

DoD is studying CPGS within the context of its portfolio of all non-nuclear long-range strike capabilities including land-based and sea-based systems, as well as standoff and/or penetrating bombers, to be concluded in summer 2010, with investment recommendations reflected in the Fiscal Year 2012 budget submission.