Office of the Historian

236. Memorandum From Secretary of Defense Weinberger to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Carlucci)1

Washington, September 23, 1987

SUBJECT

  • Relocatable Targets (RTs) (U)

(S) NSDD–1782 directed the DoD to “develop a program to provide a capability to attack relocatable targets with U.S. strategic forces.” I have recently approved the DoD RT Master Plan (attached)3 that constitutes a first step for the coordinated development of the sensors, C3I, and force structure required to hold relocatable targets at risk.

(S) For the near term, we have taken modest steps to improve our operational capability by committing a limited number of bombers and ballistic missiles against RTs in the Single Integrated Operational Plan. Through the master planning process, we are assessing alternative operational concepts for employing these systems in the mid to late 1990s. We will have a better perspective on potential changes to force structure requirements requested in NSDD–2524 upon completion of this study in mid-1988.

(S) The RT mission spans a broad range of functions including intelligence production, battle planning, communications, and weapon systems. Consequently, we must approach the RT problem from a multi-disciplined perspective as we consider alternatives for improved capability. Your continued support will ensure that the RT issues are properly addressed through close cooperation between intelligence and DoD organizations.

(S) Although the RT mission is complex and challenging, we are taking positive steps to improve our capability in a prudent and balanced fashion. I will continue to advise you of our progress as we update our plans and implement additional measures to cope with this target set.

Cap
  1. Source: National Security Council, National Security Council Institutional Files, Box SR–090, NSDD 178. Secret. Weinberger wrote “Frank” above the recipient line.↩
  2. See Document 51.↩
  3. Attached but not printed is a September 7 paper prepared in the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense, Strategic and Theater Nuclear Forces, entitled “The DoD Relocatable Target (RT) Master Plan.”↩
  4. See Document 186.↩