if you were planning a nuclear first strike would you be better with long range ballistics or would you?

Question

prefer to use several hordes of cruise type missiles launched from container ships closer to the shores of your target.

Answer 1

The cruise missiles are your second wave.

Typically, they are launched from mobile platforms like ships planes and subs, presumably in response to your initial attack.

The ICBM's are next to useless after the initial strike as the cruise missiles offer a more flexible response to the events after the initial exchange.

This assumes a nuclear missile armed opponent.


Against an opponent unarmed with strategic defence, it is a moot point, they are boned, you win.

Still might as well use the ICBM's, these can not be defended agaisnt. But even if a third world county's defences might get a lucky shot at your ship, plane or mobile platform.


To the guy with the nuclear hand grenade idea...I hope you are joking or have one helll of an arm!

Answer 2

Greetings!

It depends on who you are launching them at. If it is a country with weak defense technology, go with ICBM's. If the country has or you suspect they have technology, use submarines.
You would never use a drone or cruise missile. They are to slow. Launching at a technology heavy country you would scrap the ICBM because you can track it easily.
Submarines are better than anything because they are so stealth.
You would not launch from a container against a country with technology, because the satellites and awac's can read the enriched uranium.

So First Strike the subs

Good Luck

Answer 3

Cruise missiles, tons of 'em,strategically targeted and all launched simultaneously. Knock out command centers, major thoroughfares, bridges and what-not, airfields, and rail lines. Follow this up by carpet bombing major cities (I just love B-52s) and massive air-to-ground strikes against key miltary installations.

Answer 4

Your scenario doesn't exactly lay out the tactical situation we're facing vis-a-vis the targeted nation. Does the target possess nukes? If so then are his weapons in hardened silos? It may take more than cruise missiles if they are to assure their destruction. You really need to add additional details before we can answer your question very accurately.

Answer 5

I would hit with a variety of what I had, striking military targets hardest, and warning other potential enemies to back off as there would be plenty aimed at them. I wouldn't worry too much about conventional forces initially, my main concern would be to cut off or cripple their nuclear response capability.

Answer 6

I would have all of my nuclear arsenal modified by first removing the warheads, then install good quality Hong-Kong fireworks in them, and launch at least two at every nation in the world.

Answer 7

Sub Missles

Answer 8

If only they could make nukes in a hand grenade fashion I think this would be the best delivery method

Answer 9

It all depends on the strategic points you were trying to hit and take out.

Answer 10

why don't you let donald rumsfeld worry about that