Nuclear command and control

Nuclear command and control (NC2) is the command and control of nuclear weapons, that is the "activities, processes, and procedures performed by appropriate military commanders and support personnel that, through the chain of command, allow for senior-level decisions on nuclear weapons employment.".[1]

United States

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 E-4B National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC), and the E-6B Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO)/Airborne Command Post (Looking Glass)[2]

Decisions on the employment of nuclear weapons can be made only by the National Command Authority (NCA), which consists of the President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense, acting in concert.

Other countries
  • Nuclear Command Authority (India), the authority responsible for command, control and operational decisions regarding India's nuclear weapons programme
  • National Command Authority (Pakistan), the command that oversees the deployment, research and development, and operational command and control of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal
  • Category:United Kingdom nuclear command and control
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See also

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-05-10. Retrieved 2016-05-27.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. Lloyd, A. T. (2000). A Cold War legacy: A tribute to Strategic Air Command, 1946-1992. Missoula, MT: Pictorial Histories Pub. p.290


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