> 3,000 is plenty to retaliate against an opponent with 30,000. More doesn't provide a benefit.
I think a big part of this is that the long-distance missiles, when all of this was invented, were not very accurate. Sending 10 to do the job of 1 might have been necessary just to hit the intended targets.
Modern missiles are quite capable of precision strikes.
> Modern missiles are quite capable of precision strikes.
yes, this is also why yields have dropped considerably. I'm not sure if there are any > 5 MT weapons in the US arsenal anymore. I think most are in the 500-750KT range, the missiles and delivery vehicle are accurate enough to produce the same result as the larger warheads and 5-7 (can't remember exactly) warheads can be carried by a single missile. So instead of having one missile launch one giant warhead that may hit 50 miles away from the target you have one missile launch 5-7 smaller warheads that hit within 50 meters of 5-7 different targets.
This is a big part of why the long lines bunkers/sites were abandoned.
Once the accuracy increased to more than 1mi the resilience of the bunkers and sites were folly.
(built to withstand multiple mt within 1mi)
I think a big part of this is that the long-distance missiles, when all of this was invented, were not very accurate. Sending 10 to do the job of 1 might have been necessary just to hit the intended targets.
Modern missiles are quite capable of precision strikes.