Nuclear command and control


Nuclear command and control is the command and control of nuclear weapons. The U. S. military's Nuclear Matters Handbook 2015 defined it as 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." The current Nuclear Matters Handbook 2020 defines it as "the exercise of authority and direction, through established command lines, over nuclear weapon operations by the President as the chief executive and head of state."

United States

In the United States, leadership decisions are communicated to the nuclear forces via an intricate Nuclear Command and Control System. 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, is managed by the Military Departments, nuclear force commanders, and the defense agencies. NCCS facilities include the fixed National Military Command Center, the Global Operation Center, the airborne E-4B National Airborne Operations Center, and the E-6B Take Charge and Move Out /Airborne Command Post
The current Nuclear Matters Handbook 2020 states: "The President bases this decision on many factors and will consider the advice and recommendations of senior advisors, to include the Secretary of Defense, the CJCS, and CCDRs." Note that both the 2015 and the 2020 Handbooks describe themselves as "unofficial."
The Ground Based Strategic Deterrent is entering the design review phase, as of 22 September 2021.

Bypass

On 27 June 1950, two days after the beginning of the Korean War, commander of Strategic Air Command Curtis LeMay made a covert agreement with Robert Miller Montague, commanding general of Sandia Base where the gravity bombs assigned to SAC were stored. The agreement allowed for SAC to take control of the bombs in the event of a nuclear attack and loss of communication with the President and "the alternate headquarters USAF". LeMay said "We had no idea of what confusion might exist, or who the president might be, or where, if a bomb hit Washington.... I doubt if I would have retaliated if Washington were the only target hit. But I certainly would not have waited until half the country were destroyed."

STRATCOM Order of battle

has responsibility for the US' nuclear triad of strategic nuclear weapons, but does not have responsibility for all tactical nuclear weapons in US service.
In November 2024, US and Chinese leaders Joe Biden and Xi Jinping agreed on the need to maintain human control over the use of nuclear weapons. The discussion broached the broader issues of military applications of artificial intelligence.

Other countries

  • Nuclear Command Authority, the authority responsible for command, control and operational decisions regarding India's nuclear weapons programme
  • National Command Authority, 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
  • Nuclear Command Corps