Nuclear command and control: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 17:53, 7 October 2023

Revision as of 03:51, 24 January 2024

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In the United States, leadership decisions are communicated to the nuclear forces via an intricate Nuclear Command and Control System (NCCS). The NCCS provides the [[President of the United States]] with the means to authorize the use of nuclear weapons in a crisis and to prevent unauthorized or accidental use. It is an essential element to ensure [[crisis stability]], deter attack against the United States and its allies, and maintain the safety, security, and effectiveness of the U.S. nuclear deterrent. Nuclear Command and Control and Communications (NC3), is managed by the Military Departments, nuclear force commanders, and the defense agencies. NCCS facilities include the fixed [[National Military Command Center]] (NMCC), the Global Operation Center (GOC), the airborne [[Boeing E-4|E-4B]] National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC), and the [[Boeing E-6 Mercury|E-6B]] Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO)/Airborne Command Post [[Operation Looking Glass|(Looking Glass)]]<ref>Lloyd, A. T. (2000). A Cold War legacy: A tribute to Strategic Air Command, 1946-1992. Missoula, MT: Pictorial Histories Pub. p.290</ref>

Formerly, decisions on the employment of nuclear weapons were made only by the [[National Command Authority (United States)|National Command Authority]] (NCA), which consists of the President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense, acting in concert. However, theThe current ''Nuclear Matters Handbook 2020 [Revised]'' states: "The President bases this decision [to employ nuclear weapons] on many factors and will consider the advice and recommendations of senior advisors, to include the Secretary of Defense, the CJCS, and CCDRs."<ref name="Handbook 2"/> Note that both the 2015 and the 2020 Handbooks describe themselves as "unofficial."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.acq.osd.mil/ncbdp/nm/NMHB2015/ |title=Nuclear Matters Handbook 2015 |access-date=2016-05-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151216210721/http://www.acq.osd.mil/ncbdp/nm/NMHB2015/ |archive-date=2015-12-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Nuclear Matters Handbook 2020 [Revised] |date=2020 |publisher=Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Matters|url=https://www.acq.osd.mil/ncbdp/nm//NMHB2020rev/index.html |access-date=20 September 2021}}</ref>

The [[Ground Based Strategic Deterrent]] (GBSD) is entering the design review phase, as of 22 September 2021.<ref>[https://breakingdefense.com/2021/09/gbsd-first-missile-test-flight-2023-initial-production-2026/ Theresa Hitchens (22 Sep 2021) Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) program ]</ref>