Optimal targeting of ballistic missiles in a tiered aimpoint system

A technique for the assignment of nuclear weapons (ICBMs and SLBMs) is presented. The assignment process is broken up into three stages: the selection of aimpoints (designated ground zeros), the assignment of weapons to these aimpoints, and a footprinting or mirvability check. The first stage is a combinatorial technique which starts with a target data base specifying the value, hardness, and location of each installation in a given complex. It then locates aimpoints within this complex with the objectives of minimizing collateral damage and extracting a required damage level from each installation. The second stage is formulated as an integer programming problem which accounts for the location of launch sites, the weapons and types available and their range and maximizes the value extracted as a result of the laydown. The final stage, although not complete, is addressed in this report. It has as its objective the footprinting of re-entry vehicles so that these assignments are feasible for a system of mirved weapons.