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. 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 recommendations for current and future requirements/issues based on available technology. MSI is used to conduct technology testing, analyze technology strategies and build technology roadmaps as pro-active support to the Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) community. Global Aircrew Strategic Network Terminal (Global ASNT) replaces inadequate, unsustainable strategic communications equipment at bomber, tanker and reconnaissance Wing Command Posts (WCPs), Nuclear Task Forces, Munitions Support Squadrons (MUNSS), and for Mobile Support Teams (MSTs). Global ASNT is a ground-based system that will provide survivable, secure communication paths to receive Emergency Action Messages (EAMs) and Force Management messages from NC3 nodes and disseminate them to bomber, tanker, and reconnaissance aircrews. Global ASNT is being fielded in separate capability increments. Global ASNT Increment 1 fields required Extremely High Frequency/Advanced Extremely High Frequency (EHF/AEHF) capabilities and replaces inadequate, unsustainable strategic mobile and fixed-site Single Channel Anti-jam Man-Portable (SCAMP) terminals. The FY16 funding request was reduced by $1.140 million to account for the availability of prior execution balances in Global ASNT Inc 1. Global ASNT Increment 2 is a new start. Increment 2 delivers an Aircrew Alerting System (AAS) consisting of pagers and klaxons, and High Frequency (HF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) capabilities. Increment 2 replaces Electromagnetic Pulse Hardened Dispersal Communication (EHDC) systems and Aircrew Alerting Communications Electromagnetic Pulse (AACE) systems. Global ASNT Increment 3 is planned to deliver a Very Low Frequency (VLF)/Low Frequency (LF) receive capability. Global ASNT will provide solutions to existing capability shortfalls for NC3 and 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, 2016
• Source ID: 0303131F_7_3600_PB_2016
• Change Summary Explanation: The FY16 funding request was reduced by $1.140 million to account for the availability of prior execution balances in Global ASNT Inc 1. The FY16 funding request was increased by $3.901M to begin Global ASNT Inc 2 pre-milestone B activities.
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Air Platforms
• Counter WMD
• Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Acquisition
• Air Force
• Command And Control
• Command And Control Systems
• Contracts
• Control Systems
• Cost Analysis
• Costs
• Electromagnetic Pulses
• Emergencies
• Engineering
• Extremely High Frequency
• Frequency
• Manportable Equipment
• Test And Evaluation
• United States Strategic Command
• Very Low Frequency

Readers

• Aerospace logistics and air mobility.
• Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
• Tactical Satellite Communications Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

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