Nuclear Weapons Employment Principles. . . . The position of nuclear nations has been that nuclear weapons are legal to use under international law. Nuclear forces are now being drawn down. The end of the Cold War has not brought a sea change in terms of a reduction in the nuclear capabilities of nations. Nuclear aerospace forces have the characteristics of speed, range, flexibility, precision, and lethality.
Aircraft provide stability and flexibility.
They can be launched on warning of an attack and recalled if necessary. Their relatively slow response time is considered stabilizing, since it gives the NCA time to perform attack assessment and work through diplomatic channels. . . . They also provide prompt hard target kill capability. These missiles can hold time-urgent targets at risk and can be rapidly retargeted against other targets. . . . Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence . . .