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This is an attack procedure for using nuclear weapons in the event that a hostile threat that cannot be subjugated by using conventional forces or that a hostile nation has used [[weapons of mass destruction]] against a [[sovereign state]].

'''Nuclear target structures''' is part of the [[nuclear war]] / [[nuclear weapon]]s related [[List of military strategies and concepts|military strategies and concepts]] developed during the [[Cold War]] and still in use in the 21st century. They refers to likely major targets of [[nuclear weapon]]s in the event of [[first strike]] or retaliation/defensive strike.

In the USA it is unclear what the targets may be because [[nation]] [[state]] nuclear target structures may have changed since the end of the Cold War. It is difficult to predict with certainty what targets [[Russia]], [[China]], [[North Korea]], or [[Pakistan]] might have selected in the [[United States]]. However, targeting should be similar to what was predicted in the early 1990s.

Because [[nation]] [[state]] nuclear target structures may have changed since the end of the Cold War, it is difficult to predict with certainty what targets [[Russia]], [[China]], [[North Korea]], or [[Pakistan]] might have selected in the [[United States]]. However, targeting should be similar to what was predicted in the early 1990s.  

1. Primary Targets

Much of the target structure location research here is based on numerous published sources<ref>[http://www.nti.org/country-profiles/united-states/nuclear/ ''Nuclear Country Profile''], [[Washington, DC]]: Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), Last updated: May, 2014. Accessed January 15, 2015</ref>, but especially the [[U.S.]] [[Department of Defense|DoD]]'s de-classified TR-82 "High Risk Areas" report. This report contains a fairly comprehensive list of [[ICBM]] and [[nuclear]] payload bomber targets that has been generated by military [[intelligence]].

 

==Primary Targets==

These "[[first strike]]" targets are mostly [[missile]] silos, [[bomber]] bases, [[submarine]] bases, and command and control (C2) centers. The enemy must neutralize these assets immediately to prevent or minimize nuclear retaliation.

These "[[first strike]]" targets are mostly [[missile]] silos, [[bomber]] bases, [[submarine]] bases, and command and control (C2) centers. The enemy must neutralize these assets immediately to prevent or minimize nuclear retaliation.

2. Secondary Targets

==Secondary Targets==

Secondary targets refers to major [[military]], [[industry|industrial]], [[government]]al, and [[transportation]] centers. Also included are seaports, [[lock]]s and [[dam]]s. These may be hit at once by the first missiles or struck by the bombers that will follow.

Secondary targets refers to major [[military]], [[industry|industrial]], [[government]]al, and [[transportation]] centers. Also included are seaports, [[lock]]s and [[dam]]s. These may be hit at once by the first missiles or struck by the bombers that will follow.

3. Tertiary Targets

==Tertiary Targets==

These are [[population]] and industrial centers that probably wouldn't be hit in the first strikes but would be high on the lists for later destruction to further cripple [[America]]'s ability to fight a prolonged [[war]] and/or recover and function as a nation. [[Threats]] against these targets could also be used following the initial [[attack]]s to force our leadership to capitulate.

These are [[population]] and industrial centers that probably wouldn't be hit in the first strikes but would be high on the lists for later destruction to further cripple [[America]]'s ability to fight a prolonged [[war]] and/or recover and function as a nation. [[Threats]] against these targets could also be used following the initial [[attack]]s to force our leadership to capitulate.

==See Also==

==See Also==