The US needs low-yield nuclear capabilities to address the deterrence gap, according to a recent commentary. The 2018 Nuclear Posture Review identified a need for supplemental low-yield nuclear capabilities to augment the US nuclear arsenal.
This was presented as an effort to raise the nuclear threshold of adversaries who may believe they could employ nuclear weapons in limited ways to escalate their way out of failed or failing conventional conflict. The US fielded the low-yield submarine-launched ballistic missile warhead, designated the W76-2, and Congress directed the Department of Defense to pursue the nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missile.
The commentary argues that advocates of supplemental low-yield nuclear capabilities have not been contriving imaginary gaps in nuclear deterrence, but rather, are addressing a real operational deficiency. The US already has sufficient ways to deter or respond to limited nuclear strikes, but the current capabilities have limitations, and additional low-yield nuclear capabilities are necessary to provide credible and proportionate response options.
