War and Peace in the Nuclear Age; Interview with Marvin Atkins, 1987
Description:
Dr. Marvin Atkins was the Director for Offensive and Space Systems in the Defense Department from 1978-1983, and the Deputy Director for Science and Technology at the Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA) from 1983-1987. In the interview he discusses the evolution of U.S. missile systems from the 1960s to the time of the interview. He describes the U.S. approach to improving accuracy and survivability in light of Soviet capabilities, about which a great deal was discovered in early 1978. He discusses different areas of U.S. research for developing new missile basing systems, including publicly visible systems and tunnels. He describes the development of the MX missile and the Multiple Protective Structure (MPS) System, also known as the Racetrack system, devised under the Carter Administration. Most of these issues raised significant domestic debates, and Dr. Atkins describes the push and pull with Congress and from segments of the public. For example, he explains the complaints against the MPS, including from Utahans, environmentalists, and the anti-nuclear movement, and the arguments for aiming to deploy 200 MX missiles. Dr. Atkins also discusses the Reagan administration's Strategic Modernization Program. He describes the development process of the Closely Spaced Basing system, also known as Dense Pack, and the superhard silo technology. He also describes the work of the Scowcroft Commission and the development of the hardened mobile launcher.
