Minimum Essential Emergency Communications Network (MEECN)

Abstract

Nuclear Deterrence Operations (NDO) is an Air Force Core Function. Within this core function, Nuclear Command and Control (NC2) is the exercise of authority and direction by the President, as Commander in Chief, through established command lines, over nuclear weapon operations of military forces. The President's authority and direction are exercised through the Nuclear Command and Control System (NCCS). The NCCS is the designated combination of flexible and enduring elements including facilities, equipment, communications, procedures, personnel, and the structure in which these elements are integrated, all of which are essential for planning, directing, and controlling nuclear weapon operations. The Minimum Essential Emergency Communications Network (MEECN) portfolio modernizes the systems necessary to effectively provide assured communications connectivity between the President and the strategic deterrence forces in stressed environments. There are several on-going MEECN activities working to modernize strategic forces' communication networks. MEECN System Improvements (MSI) is a long-range planning process with users (Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC), Air Combat Command (ACC), Air Force Space Command (AFSPC), Air Mobility Command (AMC), US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), and the Navy) to develop positions for current and future requirements/issues based on available technology. MSI is used to conduct technology testing, develop technology strategies and build technology roadmaps as pro-active support to the Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) community. The Minuteman MEECN Program Upgrade (MMPU) modernizes existing Minuteman Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Launch Control Center (LCC) Extremely High Frequency (EHF) communications to provide an Advanced EHF (AEHF) capability and a capability for Missile Combat Crew Members to have operator control of the terminal in the LCC to switch rapidly among various satellite constellations. This upgrade will be compatible with the AEHF satellite and the supporting key management infrastructure (crypto interoperability). AEHF is an eXtended Data Rate (XDR) waveform that provides more secure transmit/receive capability at higher data rate frequencies than the low data rate frequencies currently used on MILSTAR satellites. The AEHF terminal will provide both receive and report-back capability. These modifications comply with the USSTRATCOM requirement for strategic terminals to communicate at higher data rates. Global Aircrew Strategic Network Terminal (Global ASNT) will be comprised of EHF/AEHF, Very Low Frequency (VLF)/Low Frequency (LF), High Frequency (HF), Ultra High Frequency (UHF) and the Aircrew Alerting System (AAS) components (pagers/klaxons), and will provide secure, survivable inter-site, intra-site and mobile communications to bomber, tanker and reconnaissance Wing Command Posts (WCPs) and mobile relocation teams with strategic responsibilities. Global ASNT terminals will be developed and fielded to replace strategic mobile and fixed-site Single Channel Anti-jam Man-Portable (SCAMP) terminals and Aircraft Alerting Communications Electromagnetic Pulse System/Electromagnetic Pulse Hardened Dispersal Communications (AACE/EHDC) systems. The primary mission of Global ASNT is to provide strategic WCPs and mobile support teams with survivable communication paths to receive Emergency Action Messages (EAMs) and Force Management messages from NC2 nodes and disseminate them to bomber, tanker, and reconnaissance aircrews. Global ASNT will provide solutions to existing capability shortfalls for NC2 and has significant potential to provide distributed and transportable command and control capabilities beyond the traditional NC2 mission. Global ASNT will be fielded in separate increments; the first increment fields the EHF/AEHF capability; the second increment fields HF/UHF/AAS capability; and the third increment fields VLF/LF capability. Global ASNT is the last line of operational communications when all other peacetime links fail. This program is in Budget Activity 07, Operational System Development, because this budget activity includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal years.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2014
• Source ID: 0303131F_7_3600_PB_2014
• Change Summary Explanation: FY12: Other Adjustments (PL 112-74 Section 8074 $8.5M transfer) FY12 Reprogramming reduction from cancellation of GEMS and LTS. Funds used for higher AF priorities. FY14 Reduction due to higher Air Force priorities.
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Counter WMD
• Space
• Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Acquisition
• Air Force
• Artificial Satellites
• Command And Control
• Command And Control Systems
• Communication Networks
• Contracts
• Cost Analysis
• Data Rate
• Electromagnetic Pulses
• Engineering
• Frequency
• Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles
• Manufacturing
• Networks
• Program Management
• United States Strategic Command

Readers

• Civilian Systems Systems Program Capability Development and Upgrade Support Activity Expense and Pay Management.
• Tactical Satellite Communications Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
• Space