The Nuclear Weapons Effects National Enterprise
Abstract
Actions--both by others and of our own doing--are combining to create potentially tragic consequences on military operations involving the effects of nuclear weapons on the survivability of critical systems for mission assurance. Regional proliferation risks are growing, accompanied by nation state policy and doctrine that acknowledge limited nuclear use as a legitimate war fighting option. U.S. counters, especially defensive measures to ensure continued operations in radiation environments, are being reduced by our own choices. Intelligence resources are focused elsewhere. Leadership is poorly educated on military operations in nuclear environments. The reliance on commercial off-the-shelf components in U.S. military systems has grown while nuclear survivability requirements, testing, and evaluation have declined-both dramatically. As a result, the nation lacks a clear understanding of the response to nuclear radiation exposure of general purpose forces, the Global Information Grid (GIG) and the GIG-edge, and critical infrastructure on which the Department of Defense (DOD) relies. Moreover, the technical expertise and infrastructure to help remedy the situation has decayed significantly. Investments in addressing nuclear survivability have declined precipitously.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA523661
Entities
People
- Joseph Braddock
- Miriam John
Organizations
- Defense Science Board