Word: mx
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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Reagan had rejected a plan recommended by Jimmy Carter to shuttle the new MX missiles among thousands of shelters in a vast "drag strip" in Utah and Nevada. The most heated grilling of Weinberger involved the Administration's alternative plan: temporarily housing the first 36 of the 100 proposed MX missiles in "superhardened" Titan II missile silos. Appearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Defense Secretary began his testimony by trying to clarify the "window of vulnerability," a term used to describe the period in which American land-based missiles could possibly be wiped out by a surprise...
Republican John Tower of Texas, committee chairman and a supporter of the dragstrip approach, acidly noted that the hardened silos would hardly make the MX invulnerable. "What is recommended does not enhance the survivability of the MX missile," he asserted. Democrat Henry Jackson of Washington argued that by shielding the MXs in fixed silos, "we're giving the Soviets a better target." Weinberger quickly fired back: "I don't agree, Senator." The Secretary pointed out that the silos solution was only temporary, and that strengthening the silos did protect the missiles. Said Weinberger: "Whatever we gain is worth...
...questioning was no less sharp from members of the House Armed Services Committee, who quizzed Weinberger next day. Chairman Melvin Price, an Illinois Democrat, complained that the Pentagon lacked proof that "36 MX missiles in Titan silos will be any less vulnerable than the missiles presently in those silos." Many House members, as did some Senators, also attacked the Administration's plan to build 100 new B-l bombers at a cost of $200 million apiece...
Weinberger is said to be disappointed that so much attention has been focused on the MX missile and B-l bomber decisions. He feels that Reagan's proposal to improve U.S. radar and satellite communication systems, which went all but unquestioned at the hearings, is just as important as building new weapons. With these improvements, the President would be better able to launch a retaliatory strike while an enemy attack was under way, but before all American silos had been...
Many of those who buy the notion that the U.S. is staring out that window argue nevertheless that some of the $180 billion targeted for the programs might be better spent elsewhere. Chief of Staff Jones, for example, fears that the heavy commitment to the MX, B-l and Trident submarine programs will drain funds away from improving the nation's con ventional military forces. Indeed, there is one aspect of Reagan's proposals that draws universal agreement: the price tag is too low. Weinberger admitted last week that the cost of the six-year program was figured...