Long-Range Conventional Missiles

Issues for Near-Term Development

Ted Harshberger

Published 1991

This Note addresses near-term development issues for an emerging class of weapons — long-range conventional missiles (LRCMs), defined as missiles capable of attacking targets with conventional (nonnuclear) munitions at ranges in excess of 500 kilometers. The author identifies useful roles for the LRCM and determines that technologies beyond those of the Tomahawk are both necessary and available. He recommends that the Navy focus its near-term development on an upgraded Tomahawk Block IV, while the Air Force moves toward a new LRCM design. He finds that LRCMs are fiscally affordable, and arms control regimes are being developed that address their political costs. However, institutional concerns may be the major stumbling block to LRCM development. Data and support systems needed for operating LRCMs are not currently available and will require institutional changes in the services and the intelligence community. The author makes recommendations for future technology and support policy decisions.

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Harshberger, Ted, Long-Range Conventional Missiles: Issues for Near-Term Development. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1991. https://www.rand.org/pubs/notes/N3328.html.
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