[b][u]Weapon Technology[/u][/b]

With the Cold War continuing and escalating, the development and production of weapon systems and technology continued apace throughout. 
Despite the continuation of the tense conflict, the agreements between all powers involve to reduce their nuclear stockpiles lead to increased development of conventional weapons, especially considering that large-scale conventional conflict would be foremost. 

While no tremendous or incredible breakthroughs in the nature of weapons used was made, with kinetic projectile weapons remaining first and foremost along with explosives such as bombs and especially guided missiles, there were many advancements in those particular fields. 

Most of this was in the shape of guidance, as well as the size and payload of such explosive weapons. Miniaturised guided weapons such as the [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AGM-124_Wasp]AGM-124 Wasp,[/url] a pod containing several guided missiles in a single pod pointed to the way forward for missiles. Other such sophisticated missiles, like the [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AGM-136_Tacit_Rainbow]AGM-136A Tacit Rainbow[/url] anti-radar cruise missile went into full development and production, making the battlefield even more deadly and hi-tech. Advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground, or even multi-purpose missiles are in development and limited deployment, enabling aircraft, vehicles, and ships to utilise the same kind of munitions and in larger numbers. Hypersonic missiles with extreme ranges are under heavy development, as are stealth missiles for various roles.
Warheads for such munitions are also under heavy development and research. Conventional explosives still hold the crown and lead position, and likely will do for decades to come. But continued interest in alternative warheads such as [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermobaric_weapon]thermobaric[/url] warheads and even plasma and other 'exotic' types are under development. Especially with the idea of 'programmable' yields for plasma warheads. 

Energy weapons have long been a goal of military leaders and scientists, but have always been just out of reach, forever 'ten years away' for the last thirty years. 
Progress has been made on this, mainly in the shape of space-based weapons for use against hostile satellites, spacecraft or Ballistic Missiles in their boost or re-entry phases. 
Miniaturising these weapons has been an ongoing process, and so far they have been effectively demonstrated as close-in-defence weapons (CIWS) on ships or ground-based installations against aircraft and missiles. Other versions have been tested as defence on armoured vehicles for the same purpose, but so far have not been known to be employed on the battlefield or deployed knowingly by any group worldwide. Other laser weapons are rumoured to be in development, or even in use, but have not had any definitive reports or accounts so far. 

Railguns, coilguns and other such electromagnetically-powered kinetic weapons have not yet been successfully deployed, and only known to be fired in laboratory conditions. The power requirements and the wear and tear on components has been the issue unable to be overcome so far, but rumours persist as does research into the concept, and how it could be deployed en masse, with naval applications or as anti-armour weapons being the primary interest so far.