The MX Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) is designed to be the most lethal strategic ballistic missile in the world. It is being developed by the U.S. Air Force to augment the capabilities of the presently deployed ICBM force, which together with Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs) and manned strategic bomber aircraft form the triad of U.S. strategic nuclear offensive forces. On June 7, 1979, President Carter announced his decision to proceed with full-scale development of a 192,000-lb. MX, the largest design proposed. MX also is intended to be much more survivable than the fixed-silo- based Minuteman and Titan ICBMs currently deployed. Since survivability depends on how the missile is based, the United States has searched for more than a decade for a survivable yet politically acceptable basing mode for MX. On Sept. 7, 1979, President Carter announced plans to deploy MX in a 'shell game' system of multiple protective structures (MPS). On Oct. 2, 1981, President Reagan recommended rejecting MPS basing. Instead, he recommended basing MX initially in superhard silos as an interim measure beginning in 1986. The United States would also study three basing modes that offer the prospect of long-term survivability for MX: antiballistic missile defense, continuous airborne patrol, and deep underground basing. By 1984, the United States would select one or more of these modes for deployment. The debate over the MX program focuses on need, cost, lethality, basing mode, arms control implications, and alternatives. This issue brief concentrates on the MX missile and its strategic implications. The report covers the history of the MX ICBM; purpose and description of the MX ICBM; characteristics of U.S. and Soviet MIRVed ICBMs; basing modes; MX, SALT, and antiballistic missiles; costs; schedule; issues (need and cost); warhead lethality; arms control implications; legislation; congressional hearings; and chronology of events.


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