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Author: David A. Deptula
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Command and control systems
Languages : en
Pages : 37
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Book Description
While the modernization of the systems that make up the nuclear triad are currently planned and now under debate, the fundamental underpinning for their success tends to get little attention. Specifically, the nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) system that allows positive control of these weapons in peace and, if necessary, in war is a crucial modernization requisite. It is these systems that define an architecture that coalesces in a coherent fashion all the activities, processes, and procedures performed by military commanders and support personnel that, through the chain of command, allow for senior-level decisions on nuclear weapons employment. As a result of the highly classified nature of these activities, little has been written about the NC3 architecture. The intent of this study is to illustrate, in an unclassified setting, America’s NC3 infrastructure in order to convey the absolute criticality of modernizing it. Only with a modernized NC3 system can we ensure that the U.S. retains a resilient and robust command and control architecture that is fundamental to the effectiveness of the nuclear triad. In this regard, the NC3 enterprise is truly the “fifth pillar” of the nation’s overall nuclear modernization program—together with modernization of the triad’s weapons systems, and the nuclear warhead stockpile itself. Simply put, when it comes to nuclear modernization, NC3 is the least expensive, yet perhaps the most critical.
Author: David A. Deptula
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Command and control systems
Languages : en
Pages : 37
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Book Description
While the modernization of the systems that make up the nuclear triad are currently planned and now under debate, the fundamental underpinning for their success tends to get little attention. Specifically, the nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) system that allows positive control of these weapons in peace and, if necessary, in war is a crucial modernization requisite. It is these systems that define an architecture that coalesces in a coherent fashion all the activities, processes, and procedures performed by military commanders and support personnel that, through the chain of command, allow for senior-level decisions on nuclear weapons employment. As a result of the highly classified nature of these activities, little has been written about the NC3 architecture. The intent of this study is to illustrate, in an unclassified setting, America’s NC3 infrastructure in order to convey the absolute criticality of modernizing it. Only with a modernized NC3 system can we ensure that the U.S. retains a resilient and robust command and control architecture that is fundamental to the effectiveness of the nuclear triad. In this regard, the NC3 enterprise is truly the “fifth pillar” of the nation’s overall nuclear modernization program—together with modernization of the triad’s weapons systems, and the nuclear warhead stockpile itself. Simply put, when it comes to nuclear modernization, NC3 is the least expensive, yet perhaps the most critical.
Author: Kristin Goodwin
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Command and control systems
Languages : en
Pages : 17
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Book Description
"Thou0gh often overlooked in policy debates surrounding the modernization of U.S. nuclear forces, the nuclear command, control and communication (NC3) systems and personnel which support those forces represent one of the most important investments Congress and the military will make regarding the future security of the United States. The United States faces an increasingly multipolar world where the proliferation of advanced technologies and weapon systems have enabled comparatively weaker nations and even non-state actors to exert an inordinate amount of pressure on U.S. national interests and security. U.S. NC3 nodes make a tempting target for potential aggressors, as disrupting or destroying them could severely blunt U.S. nuclear retaliatory capabilities. This method of attack could theoretically be accomplished with a relatively small-scale "bolt from the blue" strike. Even without a conspicuous rival facing the United States today, the capabilities being developed by potential adversaries have serious ramifications for the future of U.S. national security."--Abstract.
Author: James J. Wirtz
Publisher: Georgetown University Press
ISBN: 1647122457
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 246
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Book Description
he first overview of US NC3 since the 1980s, Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications explores the current NC3 system and its vital role in ensuring effective deterrence, contemporary challenges posed by cyber threats, new weapons technologies, and the need to modernize the United States’ Cold War–era system of systems.
Author: John J. Hamre
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Command and control systems
Languages : en
Pages : 46
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Book Description
Over the past two decades, the United States has fielded an extensive collection of facilities and systems designed to direct and control strategic nuclear forces before and during a nuclear war. This strategic command, control, and communications system, referred to as C3, consists of ground-based radars and early-warning satellites; land-based and airborne command centers; and elaborate communications networks. The role of C3 is to alert authorities to a possible attack, permit assessment of the attack's size and targets, and convey the President's orders for retaliation. Despite the importance of these C3 systems, the recent public debate over the adequacy of U.S. nuclear forces has largely overlooked the C3 system, emphasizing instead the need to update the bombers, submarines, and land-based missiles that would deliver strategic weapons. Far less attention has been given to the C3 system, though it has been termed the weakest link in the nation's present strategic forces. The need to make major investments in C3 modernization is considered in some quarters to be an urgent one. Investment in C3 systems in recent years has largely sought to correct deficiencies in current operations and improve performance of existing assets. To that end, the Defense Department is providing "survivable" ground stations for early-warning satellites, and improving selected command-post aircraft. Compared to the expenditures projected for the offensive strategic forces over the coming 5 years, the costs of modernizing the C3 system are modest. Spending for the nuclear forces could exceed $130 billion by the end of fiscal year 1986; the three alternative approaches to C3 modernization would range in cost from $8.9 billion to $9.8 billion. The options are as follows: Option I - Improve System Responsiveness in the Trans-Attack Period, Option II - Improve System Endurance in the Post-Attack Period, and Option III - Improve Both System Responsiveness and Endurance.
Author: Bruce G. Blair
Publisher: Brookings Institution Press
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 376
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Book Description
After summarizing the assumptions and evaluative methodology behind mainstream strategic theory, the study describes the current decentralized command and control system that, under conditions of surprise attack, could be unable to communicate with decision makers or with units responsible for executing the decisions.
Author: Stephen I. Schwartz
Publisher: Brookings Inst Press
ISBN: 9780815777748
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 680
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Book Description
Based on four years of extensive research, Atomic Audit is the first book to document the comprehensive costs of U.S. nuclear weapons, assembling for the first time anywhere the actual and estimated expenditures for the program since its creation in 1940. The authors provide a unique perspective on U.S. nuclear policy and nuclear weapons, tracking their development from the Manhattan Project of World War II to the present day and assessing each aspect of the program, including research, development, testing, and production; deployment; command, control, communications, and intelligence; and defensive measures. They also examine the costs of dismantling nuclear weapons, the management and disposal of large quantities of toxic and radioactive wastes left over from their production, compensation for persons harmed by nuclear weapons activities, nuclear secrecy, and the economic implications of nuclear deterrence. Atomic Audit concludes with recommendations for strengthening atomic accountability and fostering greater public understanding of nuclear weapons programs and policies.
Author: Lauren Caston
Publisher: Rand Corporation
ISBN: 0833076264
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 185
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Book Description
The authors assess alternatives for a next-generation intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) across a broad set of potential characteristics and situations. They use the current Minuteman III as a baseline to develop a framework to characterize alternative classes of ICBMs, assess the survivability and effectiveness of possible alternatives, and weigh those alternatives against their cost.
Author: Naval War College Press
Publisher: Createspace Independent Pub
ISBN: 9781478398455
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 144
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Book Description
The Naval War College has expanded its expertise in the Asia-Pacific Rim region in recent years largely in response to the growing significance of the region to U.S. national security. The College has actively hired prominent scholars and hosted a number of conferences, workshops, and guest speakers focusing on the problems and possibilities facing the Pacific Rim. South and Northeast Asia, after all, are home to some of the world's fastest-growing economies and close American allies, as well as several potential political and diplomatic flashpoints. Even more to the point, China is an ascending economic and military power both in the region and on the world stage. The U.S. Navy plays a leading role in maintaining stability in the region with its strong presence and ability to guard the freedom of navigation in vital sea lines of communication. The efforts of the Asia-Pacific Rim specialists at the Naval War College in some ways represent a case of “back to the future.” One of the proudest episodes in the College's history came in the 1930s when Newport played a central role in developing the military plans necessary to cope with the ascendance of another Asian economic and military power—Japan. Although we expect that wise diplomacy and national self-interest will prevent a reoccurrence of similar difficulties in the coming decades, there is no substitute for military preparedness and well-thought-out international and regional strategies for dealing with the important region. The Naval War College Press has done its part in providing its readers with many excellent articles on regional security in Asia in the Naval War College Review; an important book—Jonathan Pollack, editor, Strategic Surprise? U.S.-China Relations in the Early Twenty-first Century (released March 2004); and now Newport Paper 22. Professor Lyle Goldstein of the Strategic Research Department of the College's Center for Naval Warfare Studies has been at the forefront of recent research into China's future. In this project he has guided a handful of naval officers through the puzzle of China's ongoing nuclear modernization programs. With the able assistance of Andrew Erickson, these sailor-scholars have examined various aspects of nuclear modernization from ballistic missile defense to nuclear command and control. In general the chapter tells a cautionary tale; the progress of China's nuclear modernization documented here should give pause to those inclined to dismiss China's military modernization. Steadily and with relatively little attention the People's Republic continues to improve its technologies and weapons systems. As the authors emphasize, no “Rubicon” has been crossed, but potentials are already apparent that, if realized, the U.S. Navy as now constituted would find challenging indeed.
Author: Ashton B. Carter
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 784
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Book Description
This volume, a joint project of the Brookings Institution and Harvard University's Center for Science and International Affairs, analyzes the dynamics of nuclear operations and the vital policy problems they pose. Twenty-two experts, ranging from a former commander in chief of the Strategic Air Command to an expert in radar technology, discuss peace-time safety and control of nuclear weapons worldwide; and the means for terminating nuclear war before it escalates to all-out exchanges. They also describe command posts, warning sensors, communication technologies, locking devices to prevent unauthorized explosion of nuclear weapons, selection of nuclear targets, and the exercise of political authority over nuclear operations. ISBN 0-8157-1313-4 (pbk.) : $18.95.
Author: David Eric Pearson
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
ISBN: 1428990860
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 389
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Book Description
Perhaps the best single way to summarize it is to view the book as a bureaucratic or organizational history. What the author does is to take three distinct historical themes-organization, technology, and ideology and examine how each contributed to the development of WWMCCS and its ability (and frequent inability) to satisfy the demands of national leadership. Whereas earlier works were primarily descriptive, cataloguing the command and control assets then in place or under development, The book offers more analysis by focusing on the issue of how and why WWMCCS developed the way it did. While at first glance less provocative, this approach is potentially more useful for defense decision makers dealing with complex human and technological systems in the post-cold-war era. It also makes for a better story and, I trust, a more interesting read. By necessity, this work is selective. The elements of WWMCCS are so numerous, and the parameters of the system potentially so expansive, that a full treatment is impossible within the compass of a single volume. Indeed, a full treatment of even a single WWMCCS asset or subsystem-the Defense Satellite Communications System, Extremely Low Frequency Communications, the National Military Command System, to name but a few-could itself constitute a substantial work. In its broadest conceptualization, WWMCCS is the world, and my approach has been to deal with the head of the octopus rather than its myriad tentacles.
