The Next Generation NC3 Enterprise: Opportunities and Challenges

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 2019 · Journal of Science Policy & Governance

OSTI ID:1614797

Hecla, Jake ^[1]; Krentz-Wee, Rebecca ^[2]; Reddie, Andrew ^[2]

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1. Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States); UC Berkeley
2. Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States)

The 2018 Department of Defense Nuclear Posture Review emphasized the importance of modernizing the existing nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) architecture. Heightened awareness of US reliance upon technology developed in the 1970s and emerging challenges posed by frontier technologies spurred Secretary of Defense Mattis to task USSTRATCOM with identifying the technologies, processes, and institutions needed to build a next-generation NC3 system. General Hyten, USAF Commander, has noted that this will require an “overhaul of our existing processes from requirements definition to systems engineering and integration, acquisition, and budgeting. A framework is required for modern processes to enable delivery of a flexible, continuously evolving, threat-driven set of capabilities.” This brief, prepared in response to Gen. Hyten’s call for memoranda to address the “Next Generation NC3 Enterprise,” outlines three distinct approaches to NC3 modernization, each with a system lifecycle of approximately 50 years (2030-2080): upgrading the existing system, a hybrid approach to integrating new technologies, and creating an entirely new NC3 architecture. It is organized as follows: First, it outlines the integral role of NC3 in strategic operations. Second, it examines the current status of NC3 tools and the contemporary challenges that future systems must address. Third, it provides a series of paths forward for USSTRATCOM’s consideration. Fourth and finally, it recommends a “hybrid” approach to maintain the strengths of the current NC3 architecture, increase the resilience of the system, and leverage the advantages of new sensing, ISR, and communication technology.

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (NA-20)
• Grant/Contract Number: NA0003180
• OSTI ID: 1614797
• Journal Information: Journal of Science Policy & Governance, Journal Name: Journal of Science Policy & Governance Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 14; ISSN 2372-2193
• Publisher: JSPG
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
command and control
NC3
nuclear policy
technology