Can Land-Based Strategic Bombers Survive an SLBM Attack?

The B-1 bomber will receive Presidential review in early 1977. A recent study by the Brookings Institution on the B-1 contains an erroneous analysis of its survivability in an SLBM attack, which detracts from the overall merit of the study. This issue is discussed and an alternative analysis is presented.     

Looking at The World Through a Nastyglass Window

The concept and physics of a most peculiar glass (called NASTYGLASS) suffering from the video equivalent of audio cross-over distortion are discussed, and a simple mathematical model developed. The model is used as the basis for a computer simulation of how things would look when viewed through a NASTYGLASS window. Some computer-generated, TV-displayed images of `Einstein-in-NASTYGLASS' are included. Finally, future research is proposed, research that just might lead to a Nobel prize in medicine or physiology!     

NCTR Plus Sensor Fusion Equals IFFN or can Two Plus Two Equal Five?

Fowler's Seventh Law for military systems [1] states: "Be wary of proposals for synergistic systems. Most of the time when you try to make 2 + 2 = 5, you end up with 3-and sometimes 1.9." We attempt to approach the broad issues of IFFN (identification, friend, foe, neutral) of military targets via the techniques of NCTR (noncooperative target recognition), coupled with the systems approach called "sensor fusion." Although the overall style of the paper is that of a tutorial, many of the results presented are original. In all cases where we make political obsrvations, they represent our personal opinions.     

The Laser BMD and Other Radiant Energy Weapons: Some Thoughts

This paper opens with a discussion of the ABM Treaty and the particular language in it that presently excludes the deployment of a laser BMD. Eight pressure points are then presented that may cause both the Soviets and the Americans to reevaluate the payoff of such ACD agreements to their overall national security, even to the extent of abrogating the Outer Space Treaty and SALT Phase I. Next an extended presentation of the current state of affairs in the American laser research program is given to show the magnitude of the U. S. commitment to developing radiant energy weapons technology. The paper concludes with a brief excursion into the psychological and strategic systems impact of laser weapons.