The deterrence value of intercontinental ballistic missiles continues to rise as the overall number of U.S. nuclear weapons comes down, defense officials and analysts say, because the ICBMs prevent an adversary from being able to "decapitate" the U.S. nuclear force with a preemptive strike. In a recent interview with InsideDefense.com , Maj. Gen. Judd Blaisdell emphasized that the Air Force's three wings of Minuteman III missiles offer a visible, dispersed presence the sea- and air-based legs of the nuclear triad...
