Editing First strike (nuclear strategy) (section)

==Likely first strike weapons systems==
Because of the low accuracy (large [[circular error probable]]) of early generation [[intercontinental ballistic missile]]s (and especially [[submarine-launched ballistic missile]]s), counterforce strikes were initially only possible against very large, undefended targets like bomber airfields and naval bases. Later generation missiles with much improved accuracy made counterforce attacks against the opponent's hardened military facilities (like missile silos and command and control centers) possible. This is due to the [[inverse-square law]], which predicts that the amount of energy dispersed from a single point release of energy (such as a thermonuclear blast) dissipates by the inverse of the square of distance from the single point of release. The result is that the power of a nuclear explosion to rupture hardened structures is greatly decreased by the distance from the impact point of the nuclear weapon. So a near-direct hit is generally necessary, as only diminishing returns are gained by increasing bomb power.

* [[Pershing II]] [[MRBM]]. Single warhead, variable yield 5&ndash;50&nbsp;kt, CEP 50&nbsp;m with active radar terminal guidance. Short, 7-minute flight-time and range of 1,800&nbsp;km, designed to strike [[Command, control, and communications|C<sup>4</sup>ISTAR]] installations, bunkers, air fields, air defense sites, and ICBM silos in the European part of the Soviet Union. Decommissioned.
* [[R-36 (missile)|R-36]] (NATO designation SS-18 "Satan"), [[MIRV]]. Believed to be a first-strike weapon by some in the West, due to high accuracy of 220&nbsp;m CEP, and high throw-weight of 8,800&nbsp;kg; could deploy 40 [[penetration aid]]s and deliver at least 10 warheads of at least 500&nbsp;kt through independent, separate targets. Each warhead could probably take out even hardened nuclear silos, such as those used by the [[Minuteman III]]. Deployed in 1976, aimed at [[CONUS]]. Still in service.
* [[LGM-118 Peacekeeper]]. Similar in capability to the SS-18 Satan, the Peacekeeper had a throw-weight of 4,000&nbsp;kg, and could carry only 10 MIRVed warheads of 300&nbsp;kt each, as well as a [[Circular error probable|CEP]] of 120&nbsp;meters. Deployed in the mid-1980s. Decommissioned; however, guidance systems and re-entry vehicles moved to [[Minuteman III]] missiles.
* [[SS-20 Saber]] MIRV IRBM. Deployed by the Soviet Union in the late 1970s, this MIRVed IRBM could hide out behind the Urals in Asian Russia and strike [[NATO]] C<sup>4</sup>ISTAR facilities in Europe with scarcely any warning, due to very short flight time, high accuracy, and MIRV payload (rare on an intermediate-range missile). Decommissioned.