Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–15, Part 2, Documents on Western Europe, 1973–1976

90. National Security Decision Memorandum 328¹

Washington, May 4, 1976.

TO

• The Secretary of State
• The Secretary of Defense

SUBJECT

• Modification of SSBN Commitments to NATO

The President has approved the proposal to modify the U.S. commitment of fleet ballistic missile warheads to NATO. This modification should provide improved survivability of the forces committed to the General Strike Plan (GSP) and allow for some reduction in tactical aircraft requirements for targeting against fixed targets in the GSP, thus making such aircraft fully available for other theater operations. Specifically, the U.S. will offer to:

—Provide SACEUR with the military authority for target assignment, alerting, and missile release for 230 Poseidon RVs from normally alert Poseidon SSBNs and 170 Poseidon RVs from normally non-alert Poseidon SSBNs, vice the current arrangement whereby SACEUR is provided the same authority for 150 Poseidon RVs from alert Poseidon SSBNs. In the case of the RVs from normally non-alert SSBNs, it is understood that SACEUR’s missile alerting and release authority becomes operative after the SSBNs have been directed to generate by proper authorities. It is also understood that the Director of Strategic Target Planning will perform the detailed targeting function for these RVs based on a list of SACEUR-designated targets in coordination with SACEUR.

—Carry the 400 SACEUR-assigned RVs in NATO-pure missiles aboard any number of normally alert or normally non-alert SSBNs, as appropriate, whether located in CINCLANT’s or USCINCEUR’s area of responsibility.

Any proposal for commitment of additional RVs beyond those specified above shall be submitted to the President for his approval.

It is to be understood that these commitments to NATO in no way infringe upon the current authority of the President of the United States with regard to missile release either in the NATO context or as a unilateral national action. The currently approved nuclear weapons safety rules for the Poseidon weapon system will remain in effect for those missiles assigned to NATO. The appropriate authorities aboard SSBNs which carry NATO-assigned missiles will be provided with the necessary command, control and communications documentation required for alerting and launch of missiles in accordance with NATO authorization procedures.

The Secretaries of State and Defense, or their designated representatives, may proceed with any necessary consultation and planning in NATO in accordance with the above.

This NSDM supersedes relevant portions of NSDM 132 of September 13, 1971.

Brent Scowcroft

1. Summary: The President approved a proposal to modify the U.S. commitment of fleet ballistic missile warheads to NATO.

   Source: Ford Library, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box 65, NSDM 328—Modification of SSBN Commitments to NATO. Top Secret. Copies were sent to the Chairman of the JCS and the DCI.