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 MEECN portfolio modernizes the systems necessary to effectively provide assured communications connectivity between the President and the strategic deterrence forces in stressed environments. 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), Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), and the Navy) to monitor and assess the performance of NC3 systems and develop recommendations for current and future strategic and tactical architectures, requirements, and issues based on available and emerging technologies. MSI is used to conduct technology testing; analyze technology strategies; conduct requirement trade space analysis, technology maturation and risk reduction efforts, and mission analysis; and build technology Roadmaps as proactive support to the NC3 community. MSI performs analysis, integration, and testing activities for the NC3 Weapon System. NC3 Dem/Val is required for advanced concept development and prototyping of next generation NC3 systems. This program ensures a responsive design and development engineering infrastructure to address evolving Nuclear Deterrence Operations mission requirements, emerging issues and technology insertion/technology application on the NC3 Weapon System, future strategic systems/capability, and other common strategic areas where appropriate, and develop enhanced multi-use capabilities. The NC3 Dem/Val Program will provide technology maturation and risk reduction activities to support the NC3 Weapon System (AN/USQ-225). Activity will reduce life cycle costs, inform technology maturation & risk reduction efforts, improve system performance, mitigate evolving threats, and ensure both viability and durability of the NC3 Weapon System. Common Very Low Frequency/Low Frequency (VLF/LF) Receiver (CVR) Increment 2 (CVR Inc. 2) will deliver a survivable, beyond-line-of-sight path for Emergency Action Message (EAM) reception. The intent of CVR Inc. 2 is to replace inadequate, unsustainable strategic communications equipment by developing and producing a common VLF/LF receiver, capable of implementing an interoperable waveform, to integrate into current and future airborne and ground based platforms, improve system performance, and reduce supportability costs through commonality. The program will also lead the development of the Uniform MEECN Mode (UMM) waveform expected to be used by the United States Air Force and Navy. 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 and 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), Force Management messages, and Force Direction messages and disseminate them to bomber, tanker, and reconnaissance aircrews. Global ASNT is being fielded in separate capability increments. Global ASNT Increment 1 (Inc. 1) includes early system engineering support for the planning and development for the future Global ASNT Increments. Global ASNT Inc. 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 and Secure, Mobile, Anti-Jam, Reliable, Tactical - Terminal (SMART-T) equipment. Global ASNT Increment 2 delivers a replacement Aircrew Alerting System (AAS) consisting of personal and general alerting equipment, and High Frequency (HF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) capabilities. Increment 2 replaces inadequate, unsustainable Electromagnetic Pulse Hardened Dispersal Communication (EHDC) systems and Aircrew Alerting Communications Electromagnetic Pulse (AACE) systems. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver nuclear weapon support capabilities. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 0605826F, 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605830F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605898F, and 0605833F. As directed in the FY 2018 NDAA, Sec 825, amendment to PL 114-92 FY 2016 NDAA, Sec 828 Penalty for Cost Overruns, the FY 2018 Air Force penalty total is $14.373M. The calculated percentage reduction to each research, development, test and evaluation and procurement account will be allocated proportionally from all programs, projects, or activities under such account. This program is in Budget Activity 7, 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 year.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2020
• Source ID: 0303131F_7_3600_PB_2020
• Change Summary Explanation: FY 2018 PB CVRi2/ASNTi2 Congressional mark (-$12.2M) FY 2018 PB CVRi2 decrease FFRDC reduction (-$1.773M) FY 2018 PB SBIR reduction (-$0.402) FY 2019 PB Congressional mark (-$-32.0M) FY 2019 PB FFRDC reduction (-$2.545M) FY 2020 PB CVRi2 re-phase to FY22/23(-$12.0M) FY 2020 PB CVRi2 under-execution(-$5.205M) FY 2020 PB Global ASNTi2 decrease (-$35.091M)
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Counter WMD
• Cyber
• Human Systems
• Space
• Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Acquisition
• Air Force
• Command And Control
• Command And Control Systems
• Contracts
• Control Systems
• Cost Analysis
• Electromagnetic Pulses
• Emerging Technology
• Engineering
• Procurement
• Systems Engineering
• Test And Evaluation
• Test Equipment
• United States
• United States Strategic Command
• Warfare

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