Nuclear Command, Control, & Communications

Mission— Nuclear Command, Control and Communications (NC3)

This program supports development and operation of analytical tools to evaluate authoritative data (cost, schedule, performance, risk) on NC3 Portfolio programs to maximize portfolio alignment to strategic priorities and capabilities. It will create integrated development and delivery schedules for NC3 programs. These tools will forecast system/capability degradation as well as plans for capability replacement, improvement, or replacement in the context of the larger NC3 enterprise. It also provides the technical expertise to support risk management analysis (with an emphasis on system design, development and acquisition) of the NC3 enterprise and will develop strategies for synchronizing NC3 preplanned improvements. It will support the timely exchange of program and capability status information between elements of the NC3 enterprise, the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) staff, and the combatant commands with a goal of increasing the use of electronic means to provide current and accurate information on key elements of the NC3 enterprise. The effort will develop robust, integrated capability plans and schedules for NC3 capabilities to clarify system dependencies and identify disconnects. It will also support cross-department collaboration for development of enterprise-wide approaches for capability management. This includes: (1) vertical and horizontal integration activities within the Department and with the interagency where appropriate; (2) a coordinated portfolio-based approach to planning, programming, budgeting and execution; (3) reform efforts at the legislative, governance, policy, management and execution levels; 4) protection of information and technology that support or enables technology-based capability development for the NC3 warfighting domain and 5) supports the identification, evaluation, and incorporation of promising technology for inclusion in the NC3 system.

Mission— Nuclear Command Control and Communications (NC3)

This program supports the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSD(A&S)) roles as Principal Staff Assistant (PSA) for Nuclear Command Control and Communications (NC3) and NC3 Capability Portfolio Manager (CPM) as directed by the Secretary of Defense in the NC3 Governance Improvement (NGI) Implementation Plan and Department of Defense Directive 3730.02. The role of the NC3 PSA and NC3 CPM is to ensure alignment of NC3 acquisition, procurement, modernization, sustainment, interoperability and resources to deliver effective current and future NC3 capabilities, and proactively manage the NC3 portfolio to align NC3 programs with DoD nuclear weapons platform and delivery systems sustainment and modernization efforts. The NC3 Portfolio consists of approximately 200 systems, platforms, networks, and applications. The goals of the CPM are to 1) assess NC3 modernization programs and their integration, synchronization, and contribution to the NC3 enterprise, 2) monitor the readiness of operational NC3 systems, 3) identify performance gaps and make recommendations on technology upgrades and prototyping to enable the future capabilities to outpace the threat, and 4) support data-driven portfolio management by developing the necessary tools and processes to assess and manage integrated programmatic and technical risks. This includes the analytical expertise, and information storage and retrieval systems to support the continuing development of CPM for managing the complex NC3 enterprise. These efforts will simultaneously support the Commander, U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) as NC3 Enterprise Lead; NC3 Enterprise Center (NEC); systems engineering and architecture development entities; the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E)), the Joint Staff, and the Services. This program supports the capability portfolio-based approach (DoD Directive 7045.02, “Capability Portfolio Management”). This program funds development of new tools, technical assessments, and planning for the CPM to manage the NC3 enterprise. This includes: 1) developing analytical tools for improving NC3 enterprise-level management and programmatic and technical risk assessments; 2) supporting the office of primary responsibility for NC3 enterprise capability portfolio management, to include assessing current capability, complying with statutory mandates, and conducting NC3-related studies, analyses, and policy updates; 3) assessing DoD Component plans, programs, and budgets for adequacy and execution (including courses of action development and recommendations); 4) identifying, prototyping, evaluating, and recommending new technology for inclusion in the NC3 system; and 5) developing NC3 corrective action and risk mitigation plans to support the NC3 CPM investment recommendations to senior DoD leadership. .

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (1)