Publication

This paper investigates the worldwide proliferation of "precision strike" capabilities and its impact on the traditional warfare and operational battledfield as of 2012. Precision strike systems utilize projectiles, bombs, missiles, torpedoes, and other weapons that can actively correct for initial-aiming or subsequent errors by homing on their targets or aim-points after being fired, released, or launched. The proliferation of precision strike creates potential issues for Congress, as authorization and appropriation, implementation of plans and programs to combat the proliferation, capabilities and funding requirements, service force levels and missions and considerations around the level of support given to allies.