June 16, 1980

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SPECIAL REPORT

Role of U-2 High-altitude Surveillance Aircraft to Be Expanded

Beale AFB, Calif.—Unique capabilities of the USAF/Lockheed U-2 high-altitude surveillance aircraft have enabled it to continue to play a key role in the Strategic Air Command’s global operations despite the fact that it was designed more than 25 years ago as an aerial reconnaissance platform with a short-term limited mission.

By Donald E. Fink22 min

SRECIAL RERORT

Modernizing Strategic Forces

Washington —U. S. is moving into an era of growing Soviet Union strategic nuclear weapons predominance. The urgency of this fact is being debated constantly in the 96th Congress, where one maneuver after another is made seeking to increase defense spending.

By Clarence A. Robinson18 min

156

SPECIAL REPORT

Strategic Air Command to Form New Training Unit

Beale AFB, Calif.—Strategic Air Command’s 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing (SRW) will form a new training squadron here in October as SAC prepares to modernize and expand the operational capabilities of its high-altitude surveillance fleet with 25 TR-1 versions of the USAF/Lockheed U-2.

SPECIAL REPORT

E-4b Boosts Sac's Communications Net

Offutt AFB, Neb.—New USAF/Boeing E-4B airborne command post brings substantial improvements in command, control and communications systems and staffing to Strategic Air Command’s Looking Glass mission, enhancing SAC’s ability to respond to a changing, multifaceted mission.

By Kenneth J. Stein16 min

SPECIAL REPORT

Trident Missile Capabilities Advance

Sunnyvale, Calif.—U. S. Navy expects to move into a $520-million advanced development program this fall to improve the capability of the Trident submarine-launched ballistic missile. The advanced development effort is planned to run through Fiscal 1983, when engineering development would begin as a prelude to a 1989 operational capability.

144

Fb-111 Bombers Playing Crucial Role

Pease AFB, N. H.—Air Force/General Dynamics FB-111 medium bombers based here and at Plattsburgh AFB, N. Y., are considered crucial by the Strategic Air Command in attacking heavily defended and large-area targets in the Soviet Union with high-yield nuclear weapons.

By David R. Griffiths15 min

Strategic Forces Outlook

Soviets' Nuclear Arsenal Continues to Proliferate

Washington—Soviet Union strategic nuclear weapons destructive potential and hard-target kill capability have passed beyond the capability to neutralize U. S. strategic superiority, and the USSR aim is to achieve nuclear weapons dominance, according to a U.S. assessment.

248

SPECIAL REPORT

Space Surveillance Deemed Inadequate

Colorado Springs —Extensive computer improvement completed by the North American Air Defense Command enables great advances in cataloging space objects, but there is a consensus among military space officials that overall U. S. space surveillance capabilities are inadequate to perform many important space defense requirements.

192

SPECIAL REPORT

U.s. B-52 Bomber Fleet Being Upgraded

Wichita—New weapon system developments, increased effectiveness of Soviet air defenses and continued delays in defining and developing a new U.S. strategic bomber are sustaining the pace of a long-term program to upgrade the offensive and defensive capabilities of the U.S. Air Force’s Boeing B-52 bomber fleet.

By Robert R. Ropelewski13 min

212

SPECIAL REPORT

Ballistic Missile Defense Tests Set

Huntsville, Ala. —A fundamentally different approach to ballistic missile defense, expected to undergo initial flight demonstration in 1982-83, shows promise of countering the overwhelming advantage long held by intercontinental ballistic missiles equipped with multiple warheads and penetration aids.

By Philip J. Klass13 min

June 91980

June 231980

June 16, 1980

June 16, 1980