From Polaris to Trident: The Development of US Fleet Ballistic Missile Technology

Graham Spinardi

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511559136

This book provides a complete history of the US Fleet Ballistic Missile programme from its inception in the 1950s and the development of Polaris to the deployment of Trident II in 1990. Writing in an accessible yet scholarly manner, Graham Spinardi bases his historical documentation of FBM development on interviews with many of the key participants. His study confronts a central issue: is technology simply a tool used to achieve the goals of society, or is it an autonomous force in shaping that society? FBM accuracy evolved from the city-busting retaliatory capability of Polaris to the silo-busting 'first strike' potential of Trident. Is this a case of technology 'driving' the arms race, or simply the intended product of political decisions? The book provides a comprehensive survey of the literature looking at the role of technology in the arms race, and seeks to explain technological development using a 'sociology of technology' approach.

‘… it is an intriguing account of the political background, aims and technology of the fleet ballistic missile system … [It] is clear and anyone interested in ballistic missile politics and technology will find it fascinating.’

Source: Journal of Naval Engineering

‘It is quite simply, the most carefully researched, scholarly and objective account I have read on the FBM program.’

Rear Admiral Robert H. Wertheim

‘Since World War II the western world has become adept at designing and managing extremely large and complex technological projects that greatly influence the course of contemporary history. Graham Spinardi’s history of the Fleet Ballistic Missile Project provides a pioneering, detailed and engaging history of creativity massively organized.’

Tom Hughes - University of Pennsylvania

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From Polaris to Trident

The Development of US Fleet Ballistic Missile Technology

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-vi

Contents
pp vii-viii

Acknowledgements
pp ix-x

1 - The US Fleet Ballistic Missile system: technology and nuclear war
pp 1-8

2 - Theoretical models of weapons development
pp 9-18

3 - Heterogeneous engineering and the origins of the fleet ballistic missile
pp 19-34

4 - Building Polaris
pp 35-57

5 - Success and successors
pp 58-85

6 - Poseidon
pp 86-112

7 - Strat-X, ULMS and Trident I
pp 113-140

8 - The improved accuracy programme and Trident II
pp 141-163

9 - Understanding technical change in weaponry
pp 164-194

10 - Appendix: List of interviewees
pp 195-197

Notes
pp 198-242

Index
pp 243-253

CAMBRIDGE STUDIES IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
pp 254-254

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From Polaris to Trident

The Development of US Fleet Ballistic Missile Technology

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