Nuclear command, control, and communications : a primer on US systems and future challenges / James J. Wirtz and Jeffrey A. Larsen, editors.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Wirtz, James J., 1958- editor.

Larsen, Jeffrey Arthur, 1954- editor.

Rosengarten Family Fund.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Command and control systems--United States.

Command and control systems.

Nuclear weapons.

Deterrence (Strategy).

United States--Armed Forces--Communication systems.

United States.

United States--Military policy.

Armed Forces--Communication systems.

Military policy.

Physical Description:

xiii, 231 pages : figures, tables : 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Washington, DC : Georgetown University Press, [2022]

Summary:

"This volume provides an overview of the history, strategy, and technology associated with US nuclear command, control and communications (NC3). It also identifies how the introduction of modern digital technologies and concerns about cyber security complicate the contemporary NC3 setting. The contributors explain how the US military's NC3 works and how it might fail. Concerns about the security of nuclear forces and command and control systems are not new, but they are becoming more urgent. Bringing Cold-War analog systems into the digital age by modernizing hardware and software has the potential to introduce vulnerabilities and unintended consequences. Policymakers and nuclear theorists should consider that nuclear infrastructure and command networks could be penetrated, corrupted, destroyed, or spoofed, leading to a loss of positive control (the ability to fire weapons) or negative control (the ability to prevent unauthorized or accidental use). This volume explores the NC3 "weapons system," its vital role in ensuring effective deterrence, contemporary challenges posed by cyber threats, new weapons technologies, and the consensus across the nuclear enterprise of the need to modernize this Cold War-era system of systems"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Machine generated contents note: PART I

1. Deterrence: The Role of Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications / James J. Wirtz

2. NC3 during the Bomber Age: 1945-57 / James Clay Moltz

3. NC3 during the Missile Age: 1957-91 / James Clay Moltz

PART II

4. US Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications: An Overview / Jeffrey A. Larsen

5. Space Architecture for NC3: Systems and Technologies / Matthew R. Crook

PART III

6. Cyber Operations and Nuclear Escalation: A Dangerous Gamble / Jon R. Lindsay

7. Technology Threats to NC3: Past Lessons and Current Challenges / Wade L. Huntley

8. Technology Threats to NC3: A Future Scenario / Wade L. Huntley

PART IV

9. NC3 Modernization: Progress and Remaining Changes / Michael S. Malley.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Rosengarten Family Fund.

Other Format:

Online version: Nuclear command, control, and communications

ISBN:

9781647122447

1647122449

9781647122430

1647122430

OCLC:

1261774603