MILITARY THOUGHT (TOP SECRET): 'THE ROLE OF SPACE WEAPONS IN A FUTURE WAR', BY LIEUTENANT-GENERAL N. KORENEVSKIY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP33-02415A000500190011-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 25
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 8, 2002
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: September 7, 1962
• Content Type: MF

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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
WASHINGTON 25, D. C.
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NRO COMPLETED
MEMORANDUM FOR: The Acting Director of Central Intelligence
SUBJRCT MILITARY THOUGHT (TOP SECRET): "The Role of
Space Weapons in aaFuture War", by
Lieutenant-General N. Korenevskiy
1. Enclosed it, a verbatim translation of an article
which appeared in the TOP SECRETS ecial Collection of Articles
of the Journal "Military Thought" oYenna a ss pu is,cT
By the Ministry o Defense, USSR, and distributed down to the
level of Army Commander.
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Requests for extra copies of this report or for
u i..iza ion of any part of this document in any otncr torm
should be addressed to the originating office.
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Richard Helms
Deputy Director (Plans)
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Enclosure
Copy No.
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Original: The Acting Director of Central Intelligence
cc: The Director of Intelligence and Research,
Department of State
The Director, Defense Intelligence Agency
The Director for Intelligence,
The Joint Staff
The Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence,
Department of the Army
The Director of Naval Intelligence
Department of the Navy
The Assistant Chief of Staff, Intelligence,
U. S. Air Force
The Director, National Security Agency
Director, Division of Intelligence
Atomic Energy Commission
National Indications Center
Chairman, Guided Missiles and Astronautics
,/Intelligence Committee
/Deputy Director for Research
Deputy Director for Intelligence
Assistant Director for National Estimates
Assistant Director for Current Intelligence
Assistant Director for Research and Reports
Assistant Director for Scientific Intelligence
Director, National Photographic Interpretation Center
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MILITARY THOUGHT (TOP SECRET): "The
Role of pace Weapons in a Future. War"
by Lieutenant-General N. Korenevskiy
APPRAISAL OF
CONTENT Documentary
Following is a verbatim translation of an article
entitled "The Role of Space Weapons in a Future War",
by Lieutenant-General N. Korenevskiy.
This article appeared in the 1962 First Issue of
a special version of the Soviet military journal
Voyennaya Mysl (Military Thought). This journal is
published irregularly and is classified TOP SECRET by
the Soviets. The 1962 First Issue went to press on
29 December 1961.
Headquarters CoTment: Military Thought is published
by the USSR Ministry of Defense in three versions,
classified RESTRICTED, SECRET and TOP SECRET. The
RESTRICTED version has been issued monthly since 1937,
while the other two versions are issued irregularly.
The TOP SECRET version was initiated in early 1960.
By the end of 1961, 61 issues of the SECRET version
had been published, 6 of them during 1961.
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The Role of Space Weapons
in a Future War
(According to foreign views)
by
Lieutenant-General N. Korenevskiy
The space weapons which are coming into existence
at the present time attract the intense attention of the
government and military figures of the main capitalist
countries.
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The first leap into space, accomplished by our country
on 4 October 1957, naturally presented the question of the
paths 'to the mastery of space, the means necessary for
this, and the primary goals to be pursued in this.
On the one hand, as was stressed in the speech of
the President of the USA on 25 May 1961, thus began the
"battle for men's minds" in which the United States strives
for "great enterprises" capable of demonstrating to the
entire world the capabilities of the country and its
science and technology. In his speech Kennedy gave
American science and technology the task of "achieving
the flight of a man to the moon and his safe return to earth
by the end of this decade." In his opinion,"not a single
space venture of this period will be more exciting, im-
pressive or important for the overall exploration of space
nor so difficult or expensive." In order to achieve this
goal he has already requested an additional appropriation
of 531 million dollars for the 1961-62 fiscal year,
having warned that in future years even more resources will
be required. The total cost of the program of conquering
the moon is estimated by the Americans to be about 40
billion dollars.
On the other hand, the beginning of the conquest of
space gave an impetus to its study for purely military
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purposes, in which the space nearest to the earth is
viewed simply as the arena of future battles.
This article represents a first attempt to state, in
a systematic manner, the views of the American command on
the role of space weapons and the possibilities for employ-
ing them in combat. The article does not pretend to be
a complete elucidation of all questions connected with this
subject. However, the information cited by us below attests
to the need for serious study of the space weapons of the
USA, the plans and intentions of the American command, and
the possibilities of utilizing space devices for military
purposes, The need for such a study is explained by the
fact that, fors.oi a time now,:work in this field has gone beyond
the limits of purely scientific investigation; it, has a..very
definite military nature and is being given very serious
attention by the highest American echelons, including even
the President of the USA,
The ballistic missile proved to be the first means
of attack through space and, even though, in itself, it
does not relate to space weapons, its appearance caused
the need to develop a series of purely space weapons systems.
Special reconnaissance earth satellites have been recognized
as the best means for detecting launching sites and launch-
ings of missiles. The exact tie-in of the geodetic net-
works of the various countries and continents, which is
necessary for determining the coordinates of such targets,
proved to be feasible with the aid of special satellites
that can be observed simultaneously by optical and radio-
technical means from points which are within the networks
being tied in. One of the basic tasks of so-called scien-
tific satellites is to define more precisely. variations in
the gravitation of the earth, i.e... to produce: the data
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necessary in preparing to fire intercontinental ballistic
missiles, Artificial earth satellites--meteorological,
radio reconnaissance,M.and .communication--have been recog-
nized as means capable of providing meteorological recon-
naissance, radio reconnaissance and communications on a
global scale.
Numerous.projects for space systems for delivering
strikes against ground targets, and for antimissile and
antispace defense, appeared soon after the space support
systems. The special significance of space weapons is
also explained by the extreme difficulty of destroying
space vehicles.
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In confirming the adherence of the new administration
of the 'USA to,an.aggressive policy, President Kennedy, in
his special message of 28 March 1961,stated that the Ameri-
can government must have at its disposal strategic attack
and defense weapons adequate to forestall any premeditated
attack on the United States. In this connection, special
attention is given to weapons launched from concealed,
mobile, or invulnerable bases that will not be wiped from
the face of the earth as a result of a surprise attack.
Space weapons belong to this very category of weapons.
Until the recent past a special role in military
strategy was allocated to the Air Force. However, in
1959 the American command had already included aerospace
in the operating zone of its Air Force and announced the
creation of the so-called aerospace forces. The aerospace
forces are considered to be the fundamental U.S. strategic
means, and include aerodynamic ...,craft (airplanes and cruise
missiles), ballistic missiles and military space devices.
The basic principles of employing aerospace forces to achieve
the goals of the American government are stated in the so-
called Basic Aerospace Doctrine of the U.S. Air Force.*
*United States it Force asic Doctrine (Aerospace Doctrine).
U.S. Air Force Manual AFM 1-2, 1 December 1959. Translation
from the English, GRU Main Staff, Moscow, 1960.
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The aerospace forces are intended for operations in
the total expanse beyond the surface of the earth without
any limits in altitude. This expanse is considered to be,
from the military standpoint, indivisiblerand is called
aerospace. According to the plans of the U.S. Air Force,
made for a 15-year period (until 1975), the zone of combat
operations in space will extend to altitudes of about
130,000 kilometers.
Aerospace forces are capable of operating anywhere and
at any t'im, They have an unlimited range of operation, high
mobility, great speed and firepower, and are capable: of over-
coming enemy defenses and conducting combat operations both
in the atmosphere of any part of the globe or beyond the
limits of the atmosphere.
Aerospace forces can conduct combat operations inde-
pendently or in cooperation with other types of armed forces.
The most important principles in the employment of the
aerospace forces are considered to be the principles of in-
divisibility and'centralized control of forces clarity and
d efin'i't u de., of the task assigned to them, maximum display
of initiative in all operations, concentration of efforts,
insuring security, and close cooperation with other types
of armed forces and with civilian and government components.
The significance of the principle of surprise, which is
acknowledged to be the determinant, is especially stressed,
and every effort is to be made to attain it.
In a future general war, aerospace forces are given
the decisive role. Theref ore attaining superiority in
aerospace is made one of the most important tasks. TIt is
maintained that "In general war the ultimate outcome would
be a result of the decision in the aerospace battle at the
outset"*
*Uni.ted ta,tes Airorce Aerospace Doctrine,,p.21.
phis page number apparently refers to the Soviet translation
of the manual. The quotation is taken from page 13, para-
graph 2 of AFM 1-2.7
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and supremacy in aerospace is already manifested in a
capability "to destroy the military might of the enemy
and concurrently protect the security of the United States
of America and its allies."* The aerospace forces are
capable of acting against the elements comprising the
enemy's might, and, by having supremacy in the aerospace,
they obtain advantages for all other types of armed forces
in their performance of the tasks before them.
Bearing in mind these basic tenets of the American
aerospace doctrine, let us now examine the question of
supremacy in space and the role assigned to space weapons
in a future war.
The significance that is attached to attaining supremacy
in space was best expressed by the present President in 1960
when he was still a U.S. senator: "Supremacy in space will
be the substance of the next decade. The nation that controls
space will also control the world," Kennedy said then.**
This assertion is consistent with the thesis of the aero-
space doctrine, in accordance with which the ultimate out-
come of a future war will be decided by combat operations
in the aerospace.
The concept of supremacy in space differs from the
earlier concepts of supremacy on land, on sea, and in the
air.
In, the, apai:nian: of..the. Ame:ticans the policy of supremacy
is portrayed most vividly during combat operations on land.
During combat operations on the sea, and especially in the
air, this concept already has a limited application. Even
greater limitations arise in its application to space. If
the atmosphere ends at the maximum flight altitude of aero-
dynamic aircraft, then space is limitless and open for all
countries. Even in that part of the aerospace closest to
the earth, the possibilities for supremacy are considerably
I i p 19 . , a (T of AFM 1-27
**"Missiles and Rockets" October 24, 1960.
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 less than on land, on the sea or in the air.
However, supremacy in any environment remains as an
ideal in the strategic concept by which one must be guided.
Time and place become the basic factors under these condi-
tions. In the opinion of General Power, the former Com-
mander of the Strategic Air Command, "the existing concept
of conducting combat operations in three dimensions of
space will expand in time, if it can be expressed in this
way, into the concept of conducting combat operations in
four dimensions of space, combat operations in which the
operational correlation between space and time will become
the decisive factor."
In general, if it is impossible to control the entire
aerospace in order to deprive the enemy of the capability
to use it for his purposes, it is then necessary to resolve
the simpler problem of controlling a certain part of it at
a certain time. One of these most important parts is the
aerospace directly surrounding the earth and extending to
an altitude approximately equal to one radius of the earth.
In the opinion of the U.S. military command, the significance
of space combat operations, in a future war, will be deter-
mined by their influence on the combat capabilities of the
enemy's ground forces and the operations of their own forces.
From this point of view it seems realistic to deprive the
enemy of the capability to use the indicated part of the
aerospace nearest to the earth.
The special interest expressed in the USA in questions
of military uses of the aerospace is explained, to a signifi-
cant degree, by the weakness of the U.S. position in the
conventional spheres of armed forces operations. By casting
their eyes into space, the realistic U.S. military theorists
proceed from the position that the USA has been unable to
achieve supremacy on land, on the sea and in the air. There-
fore, space is considered to be the only expanse in which
the USA can still count on obtaining definite military
advantages.
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Proceeding from the position that the goal of strategy
in peacetime is basically limited to making aselection of
the best types of weapons, which cannot be acquired in a
finished form and which have to be created gradually on a
selective basis, t}ie military theorists and scientists
of the USA are already studying questions of the possibil-
ity of creating various new weapons to conduct war in space.
In order to achieve supremacy in space, a whole series
of space weapons systems is necessary, permitting the con-
duct.of offensive and defensive operations. As the origin
of the military use of space was established by the ballis-
tic missile
,,which brought about the need to create a series
of supporting systems of satellites, 'so. for supremacy in
space a bombing system is first required, to consist of a
great number of nuclear-
uc ear bombs circling the earth in various
orbits.
The idea of creating such a system had already been
advanced in the USA in 1948. However, at that time the
necessary technical means to realize it did not exist. At
the present time these means do exist. They are the "Atlas"
missiles with which the U.S. Air Force is armed and to
which "Titan" missiles soon will be added,and,later (in
1964), powerful "Saturn"-type carrier missiles.
A second important question, which naturally arises in
an attempt to create such a system, is the question of
accuracy. Until the recent past, the expected low accuracy
of such a system together with the high cost of putting
satellites into orbit, was considered to be the basic ob-
stacle to the creation of effective carrier-satellites
(sputnik-nositel) of nuclearrmissile weapons, but at the
present time the problem of accuracy is already being
resolved successfully. The most important phase in this
line is the "Discoverer" program.
One of the goals in the "Discoverer" program is working
out a system for the return from orbit of containers with
various payloads. As of 1 December 1961, 10 containers had
been recovered. These results are considered to be quite
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hopeful., and in the future the destruction of even compara-
tively small targets from space is considered possible.
At the present time certain requirements for a space
bombing system have been formulated. The carrier satellites
of this system must circle the earth in various orbits and
must be supplemented by numerous decoy satellites (sputnik-
lovushka). The creation of such decoys or dummy targets
for misleading the enemy does not present any great diffi-
culty. In order to hamper the radar or optical observation
from the earth of each satellite of the system, it is intend-
ed to use antiradar covering and to paint them black.
Increasing the accuracy of nuclear strikes from space
is planned by means of equipping the satellites, or the
missiles launched from them, with homing guidance systems
in addition to the programmed system which must constantly
be corrected from the earth. An infrared homing system is
proposed as such a system.
The satellites of the space bombing system must, in
advance, be put into orbits that pass over the territory
of the Soviet Union. In the opinion of the U.S. military
theorists, such actions cannot be considered to be an
aggressive act so long as there is no international agree-
ment defining the boundaries of the sovereignty of states
beyond the limits of the atmosphereand so long as there
is no legal status for space bodies.
The creation of such a system, consisting of hundreds
and thousands of satellites, ready to attack previously,
selected targets at any moment, and whose destruction
presents great difficulties, is a kind of apotheosis of
the strategy of intimidation.
On the other hand, authors of the plans for creating
space bombing systems examine them from the standpoint of
the possibility of transferring combat operations into space
without conducting them on the earth, on the sea, or in the
air. Thus, we are speaking of a new version of the theory of
limited wars. It is contemplated that the results of military
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operations in space will have a great military-political and
economic significance for the countries participating in
them and will be able to force the Soviet Union to make con-
cessions.
The political significance of success in such a war
will be determined by the fact that the country that
achieves it will demonstrate its superiority in materiel-
technical means, in its technological base, and in its
theory, which will simplify the "conquest of the minds"
of men, the recruiting of allies and the resolving of
arguments with the enemy to one's advantage in various
international organizations.
The fact that the system exists will supposedly force
the enemy to take defensive measures which will entail
huge expenditures. It will be necessary to detectjrecog-
nize, and destroy or render harmless, ailsuch satellites
one by one, including the decoy satellites.
Combat with carrier-satellites presents a very complex
problem. It is considered that the direct destruction of
satellites is unacceptable because it can lead to radio-
active contamination of the expanse between the atmosphere
and the lower Van Allen belt. Moreover, the remains of the
satellite and antisatellite satellite will create a great
number of dummy targets. Therefore, the enemy will be
forced to install braking rockets onthe satellites in
order to have these satellites lose altitude and burn in
the upper layers of the atmosphere. In order to hinder this
work, booby-traps or other automatically operating defen-
sive devices can be installed on the satellites in advance.
Further, it is contemplated that the enemy,i.e., the
Soviet Union, will not limit itself to defense, and will
debit its own carrier-satellites. In turn, the USA will
conduct- a system of measures to' co~rnbat them. . As' 'a result,
the"Soviet Union will be" drawn into' combat operations that
"will. be conducted .with a great strain on its forces, an may
prove to be beyond the strength of its economy.
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 being conducted by the USA at the present time under the
NABS (Nuclear Armed Bombardment System) program. This pro-
gram includes a series of special projects. One of them
envisages the development of carrier-satellites of "space-
to-surface class missiles (project PCBS), orbiting ? at an
altitude of about 200 km. The other projects (SLOB and
SHAOB) envisage the creation of strategic satellite; bom-
bers in "low" (altitudes up to 36,000 km) and "high"
(altitudes over 36,000 km)orbits.
The practical creation of a space bombing system is
considered feasible in the near future.
An important role in attaining supremacy in space is
allocated to guided manned spaceships.. This. was especially
stressed by the former Chief of Staff of the U:S Air Force,
General Thomas White, who in 1960 stated: "In order to
dominate aerospace it is necessary to have not only space-
ships that can fly from one point of the globe to another
but it is also necessary to have men operate effectively
in space,"
The first steps in developing manned spaceships are
the work on the experimental X-15 aircraft and the manned
satellite of the "Mercury" project. In the near future
flights of the X-15 aircraft are planned with the goal of
attaining altitudes of 100 to 160 km, and in the beginning
of 1962 the first flight of the American astronaut, Glenn,
is expected, who is to orbit the earth three times.
Subsequent phases in this direction should be orbital
gliding bombers and reconnaissance aircraft being developed
in the "Dyna-Soar" project, and also, in the initial stage,
by several leading American companies ("Lockheed",'Hughes"
and others). The creation of manned space stations and
command posts is planned for the future.
The moon is considered to be an important element of
the U.S. "deterrent force" in aerospace. Its role from
this point of view had already been stressed in January 1958
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by Brigadier-General Homer Boushey (U.S. Air Force). He
said: "The moon possesses one advantage that has long
been recognized. by military science, namely, the advantage
of altitude."
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The possession of military bases on the moon will
'supposedly preclude the possibility of destroying the U.S.
military might in case of surprise attack. The duration
of a missile flight from the earth to the moon is about
two calendar days. Therefore the simultaneous neutrali-
zation of a moon base and of targets on earth is impossible.
During a strike against targets on the earth a potential
for delivering a fc ouhterstrike from lunar bases is retain-
ed. On the other hand,a strike against lunar bases dis-
closes the intentions of the enemy and provides time for
preparing and effecting countermeasures,..
The military significance of the moon is determined
by the potentialities that unfold with the employment of
lunar bases. Such bases can insure: --observation of
enemy territory with the aid of telescopes; --detection
of enemy ballistic missile launchings; --radio counter-
measures against systems for controlling space weapons
and space communication systems; --launching of missiles
against ground targets from launching pads concealed on
the :h i d. d e n side of the moon.
Already, interest in the moon is not limited to a
study of questions and a discussion of discovered poten-
tialUties.. Specific projects are being worked out which
propose the construction of various structures under the
surface of the moon from the freight compartments of missiles,
and also the employment of various versions of pneumatic
structures. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and also
various American companies ("Martin", "Aerospace", etc.)
,
are conducting a great deal of work in this direction.
Parallel with working out the question of the military
use of space for offensive purposes, considerable attention
in the USA is being given to defensive space systems intend-
ed for antimissile and antisatellite, or,more exactly,
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antispace, defense.
The U.S. Department of Defense is already working on
designs for a combat space system, SCWS-694E, which in-
cludes several thousand destroyer satellites (sputnik-
istrebitel) to destroy intercontinental ballistic missiles,
and also for the "Saint" system which includes several
thousand interceptor satellites for intercepting enemy
space objectives.
The creation of such antimissile and antispace
defense means is already considered to be possible in
1966 or 1967. However, the generally accepted view-
point in the USA is that in the near future space weapons
systems will strengthen offensive, and not defensive, capa-
bilities.. Therefore, various versions of defensive space
systems are considered to be less significant than plans
for offensive systems,
A great deal of attention is also given to means of
space reconnaissance., Such reconnaissance is completely
feasible technically, not only for strategic but also for
tactical purposes; it will greatly increase the capabil-
ities of the ground, naval and air forces.
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In accordance with the basic doctrine of the U.S.
Air Forces aerospace forces must constantly be used to
procure intelligence. It is recognized that in order to
get intelligence information "a nation must be prepared to
accept great risks when the risks of not having the infor-
mation are considered greater."*
In the USA the various stages in the military mastery
of aerospace are considered to be the following: --the
first stage (1962 to 1965) - creation of military support
satellite systems; --the second stage (1965 to 1970) -
creation of carrier-satellites and means of antispace
defense, flight to the moon and return to the earth, the
creation of powerful carrier-missiles and manned space ships;
*United States Air Force erospace. Ddctrine,.p. 9 /. 5 of .AFM 1,-27.
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--the third stage (after 1970) - the creation of autonomous
space systems, manned space stations and command posts,
and military bases on the moon.
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In the first stage space weapons still have an auxiliary
significance and are intended for supporting the combat
operations of all the types of armed forces of the USA.
Control of them is effected from the earth. By the end of
this stage systems of'~aktifioial earth satellites must be
created for reconnaissance of ground targets, for detecting
the launchings of ballistic missiles, for the precise
connection of geodetic networks and geodetic tie-in of tar-
gets, for exact navigation of missile-carrying submarines and
strategic bombers carrying "air-to-surface" class missiles,
for global radio communications, for forecasting the weather,
and also for radio-electronic intelligence and radio coun-
termeasures. In this way a total of 7 satellite systems
must be created, which, in the opinion of the American
command, can be employed for the support of 13 basic opera-
tions of an offensive and defensive nature, conducted by
all the types of U.S. armed forces.
The types of combat operations and the support systems
of satellites that are planned to be used in them are repre-
sented in table 1.
The capabilities of employing a system of satellites
can be examined ,wi'th' strategic air operations as an example.
Reconnaissance satellites are to disclose the targets for
such operations. Ultra-long-range missile detection satel-
lites, in essence, determine the necessary degree of combat
readiness of aviation for participation in the first opera-
tion of a future war, and in the future, together with other
means, they will provide the warning to get aircraft air-
borne in a timely manner in order to prevent their---...,
destruction by missiles on the airfields where they are
based. On the other hand they will determine, at least
approximately, the area of a missile launching, and, to-
gether with other reconnaissance means, will aid in locating
the sites of missile bases so that they can subsequently
be destroyed by aircraft and missile strikes. Geodetic
25X1A
I GROUP I
Excluded from automatic
downgrading and
declassification
 . 5.E R 924AGA999E99A999AA 7
25X1A
satellites will permit the defining of target coordinates
for delivering strikes against them from the air; naviga-
tional satellites will permit the delivery of more accurate
strikes against these targets with delivery aircraft
carrying I'Sky. Boit" and "Hound Dog" type missiles. Commun-
ication ,sate..lites will support coir1munica.t.ions, meteorological
satellites will insure the receipt of the necessary meteoro-
logical data for planning operations, and radio-electronic
intelligence satellites will provide data on the radiotechnical
means of the enemy that must be neutralized or destroyed
either in advance of, or during the operation itself.
From the table it is apparent that reconnaissance,
ultra-long-range missile detection, communications and
meteorological systems will find application in all the
indicated operations, which explains. the special attention
now being devoted to space reconnaissance and communications
systems. The remaining systems :will also receive ;quite..
widescale employment.
25X1A
GROUP 1
Excluded from automatic
downgrading and
Approved Fei- Release -02416A00060019-99-1-1 , declassification
 Approved For Release 200 :C
;PLIM3-02415A000500190011-3
Em to rry ,ent of Suporti.n , Satellite Systems
in the Combat Operations
of the Armed Forces of the USA
?of t
1upportirw
rn]ect Forces
Satellite System
Type of offensive and ..
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Operations of on - -Q ?y cor?pas of
strategic di;iiu'c ic>z]
X
x
-
X
x
X
Operations of field armies
/
-
-
x
x
-
x
x
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Landing opcr:;l~$.:i.o]]::3
-
x
x
x
x
x
X
Missile-C:3rry. i .a.unl,~ix,"iu?,.,
operations (with "Polaris"
x
x
x
x
x
x
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Operations of carrier strike .
?
-
x
x
x
x
x
x
Anti submiarinC t -.; ?ations
-
{
-
X
X
_
X
X
X
X
Mirie-1ayirltj bind
operations
'
X
x
PVO operati.or."u
,~
x
x
Z