As Russia Ukraine War Continues, Air Force Implements Largest Nuclear Command and Control Upgrade in 30 Years

Video Above: A Conversation with Peter Huessy, Senior Warrior Maven Nuclear Weapons Analyst

By Kris Osborn – President & Editor-In-Chief, Warrior Maven

When it comes to the possible use of nuclear weapons or a pressing, highly-dangerous need to defend against incoming nuclear weapons and respond to an attack, it is tough to envision anything more significant than the need for robust communications networks able to securely transmit vital information accurately and quickly.

Nuclear Command, Control and Communications 

This somewhat self-evident reality is likely a part of the reason why the Air Force is massively upgrading its Nuclear Command, Control and Communications systems to implement paradigm-changing new technologies.

The breakthrough system, which represents the largest upgrade to nuclear command and control in 30 years, is called the Global Aircrew Strategic Network Terminal. An Air Force report describes it as an “innovative NC3 system that provides assured, survivable, fixed and transportable communications to wing command posts, munitions support squadrons and mobile support teams.”

The service report goes on to say that the new system provides built-in redundancy to ensure delivery of information in the event that a channel is compromised, disabled or attacked and incorporates a reliable “two-way” communications path to ensure sustained connectivity from otherwise disparate or disconnected areas.

Senior Master Sgt. Katrina Strother, 2nd Bomb Wing Command Post senior enlisted leader explains it as something which “… virtually provides commanders a standardized ‘command post in a box,’ replacing a single use system with a multi-use communication package that can talk on a multitude of networks and provides a modular design for future upgrades as opposed to costly replacements.”