National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) at the University of Nebraska’s Post

Due to its sensitive nature, US nuclear deterrence efforts, capabilities and modernization are not often discussed in public channels. However, this CSIS sponsored conversation with General Cotton, commander of U.S. Strategic Command, and moderated by Kari Bingen (who I had the privilege of working for at OUSD(I)) on “Sea, Land, Air, and NC3: Modernizing the Whole Nuclear Enterprise” sheds light on why the nuclear deterrence environment today is more challenging than during the Cold War and what is the US doing about it.  Gen. Cotton correctly contends that we are not in a Cold War 2.0, in that today’s geopolitical environment is interweaved militarily, economically, financially, politically, but also there is significantly more influence from third-party nations. Russia is actively testing never-before-seen nuclear capabilities such as hypersonic glide vehicles, nuclear-powered and nuclear-armed cruise missiles, and nuclear-powered unmanned underwater vehicles. Further, Russia has changed its nuclear doctrine and is lowering its threshold for nuclear use. China is also modernizing and expanding its already considerable nuclear forces. North Korea increases the risk of simultaneity of the nuclear challenge. The good news is that the Pentagon continues on the glide path of investing and modernizing the US nuclear triad and the nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3). This includes billions for air- power platforms and systems, sea systems and land forces. These combined efforts mitigate global nuclear threats and are paramount to strengthening U.S. national security.  #nuclear-triad #NC3  #national-security

Interesting discussion, but constantly lumping together "Iran and North Korea" in the same category on nuclear threat simultaneity must stop. They are nowhere close. NK has conducted six nuclear tests and has been producing fissile material for decades. Has Iran done any of that? North Korea: already fighting alongside Russia; borders Russia and PRC; likely becomes directly involved against US forces if the US and PRC fight a major war; and, likely employs nuclear weapons if it is losing a war - see https://lnkd.in/e5RjPZ_N Meanwhile, Iran: far away from the main theaters of attack for Russia and PRC; has no nuclear weapons. So, the sentence "Iran and North Korea increase the risk of simultaneity of the nuclear challenge." is misleading - these two are not even the same ballpark.

"Conversations" and awareness are critical to getting the best solutions in place for securing our nation and our way of life. It's not always the direction you want to take during your holiday break, but we need to interact, discuss, and listen in order to build an understanding about the importance that security is to in preserving our way of life. Read Global Security Review. Be informed. Start a conversation.

It's conversations like these that put us on high alert. The discussions on expanding the inventory of U.S. nuclear weapons programs are heating up again. The growing momentum within the U.S. defense community to expand and modernize the nation's nuclear weapons arsenal is driven by the escalating nuclear capabilities of adversaries such as China, Russia, and North Korea, necessitating a reassessment of the U.S. nuclear posture to ensure effective deterrence. Understanding this development is crucial for national security professionals, as it underscores the need to adapt strategies and policies in response to evolving global threats. What's your perspective on why an expanded nuclear arsenal is essential for maintaining strategic stability and ensuring the effectiveness of the U.S. deterrent against potential adversaries? #NuclearDeterrence #StrategicSufficiency https://buff.ly/49LjP6V

It's conversations like these that put us on high alert. The discussions on expanding the inventory of U.S. nuclear weapons programs are heating up again. The growing momentum within the U.S. defense community to expand and modernize the nation's nuclear weapons arsenal is driven by the escalating nuclear capabilities of adversaries such as China, Russia, and North Korea, necessitating a reassessment of the U.S. nuclear posture to ensure effective deterrence. Understanding this development is crucial for national security professionals, as it underscores the need to adapt strategies and policies in response to evolving global threats. What's your perspective on why an expanded nuclear arsenal is essential for maintaining strategic stability and ensuring the effectiveness of the U.S. deterrent against potential adversaries? #NuclearDeterrence #StrategicSufficiency https://buff.ly/49LjP6V

Adding Slack to the US Nuclear Posture By Kyle Balzer AEIdeas October 18, 2024 All three legs of the nuclear triad are under strain. Land-based Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missiles are nearly 60 years old—and their scheduled replacement, the Sentinel, has incurred significant cost overruns and might not enter service until the late 2030s. Sea-based Ohio-class submarines are nearly forty years old and will begin to reach the end of their service life in 2027 before the first next-generation Columbia-class boat is delivered. And the air-based leg, featuring B-2 and B-52 strategic bombers, is heavily taxed due to operating costs, force reductions, and the decision to dramatically scale back the nuclear air-launched cruise missile inventory.    Therefore, the US triad desperately needs more capability in the short term to offset geopolitical threats that the aging and delayed program of record was not sized and shaped to address. Fortunately, the next president has two, albeit imperfect, off-the-shelf options that could help mitigate present burdens.  First, the United States could upload more warheads on either the land- or sea-based legs.  The second off-the-shelf option entails modifying Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs), an existing conventional sea-launched cruise missile, with W80 non-strategic warheads from the reserve stockpile. The above options are not perfect—indeed, far from it. Nonetheless, their costs are relatively modest when placed in a broader perspective: The nuclear arsenal is the backbone of America’s global military posture, which has deterred great-power war since 1945.  As former Secretary of Defense James Mattis once quipped, “America can afford survival.”  

In his speech, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy, Dr. Vipin Narang, emphasizes the urgency of adapting U.S. nuclear policy in response to an increasingly complex and dangerous global landscape. He highlights the need for a modern nuclear deterrent, strengthening alliances, and fostering the next generation of strategic leaders. Narang underscores the threats posed by Russia's aggressive actions, China's nuclear expansion, and North Korea's advancements, stressing the importance of readiness and adaptability in U.S. nuclear strategy and international collaborations. Air Force Global Strike Command #NuclearDeterrence #AlliedAssurance #ExtendedDeterrence https://lnkd.in/eZrjDaK8

With two nuclear-armed peer competitors — Russia and China — and with both advancing their nuclear capability, the U.S. now, more than ever, must move at full speed to modernize its nuclear deterrence capability. That effort is not just for U.S. national security, but as well for partners who depend on the U.S.

US Weighs Nuclear Cruise Missiles on Subs to Counter China 1. Strategic Shift and Complex Trade-offs: The US is contemplating deploying nuclear-armed submarine-launched cruise missiles (SLCM-N) on modified Virginia-class submarines to address a perceived deterrence gap with China and Russia. This initiative faces significant challenges, including cost uncertainties, potential impacts on other strategic weapons programs, and the need for a delicate balance in execution given the limited expertise in the nuclear weapons sector. 2. Debate Over Effectiveness and Necessity: Proponents argue that deploying SLCM-N would enhance the US's tactical nuclear capabilities, providing a counterbalance to China's and Russia's low-yield nuclear weapons. Critics, however, highlight potential drawbacks, including high costs, operational complications, and the risk of escalation. They suggest focusing on modernizing existing nuclear forces and diplomatic measures instead. 3.Broader Implications for US Naval Strategy: The discussion around SLCM-N highlights broader concerns about US conventional and nuclear deterrence. With China’s military advancements and assertive territorial claims, there is pressure on the US to adapt its naval strategy, possibly reintroducing tactical nuclear weapons at sea to maintain regional stability and support allies.(https://lnkd.in/ewfskfyE) This potential policy shift signifies a substantial change in the US's nuclear posture, reflecting the evolving geopolitical landscape and the increasing complexity of maintaining strategic deterrence. https://lnkd.in/eXGf5ZTy

Rethinking Land based Nuclear deterrent. Over the last two decades, the discourse on U.S. nuclear weapon policy has remained static, even as the specter of a nuclear conflict between major powers threatens global devastation. However, recent revelations from the U.S. Air Force highlight the alarming escalation in costs for the Sentinel program. This initiative aims to replace the existing 400 Minuteman III nuclear-armed ground-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). It's evident that we cannot passively continue along a $150 billion trajectory that undermines the safety of the U.S and the world at large. Key points: - Reduce the total number of land-based ICBMs. The chances of launching all 400 Minuteman III's in the short timeline allotted are incredibly slim. -The Strategic Posture Commission concluded fielding some portion of the future ICBM force in a "road mobile configuration." - The DoD should be investing more in conventional munitions, as both Russia and China's Communist Party currently are out-manufacturing the U.S. -The submarine leg of the triad is the most survivable—and arguably the leg that would be most relied upon in an actual nuclear exchange. It makes more sense to take even half the current anticipated budget of the Sentinel program—around $70 billion—and invest it into another leg of the triad that is more operationally relevant. #CBRNE #CBRN #WMD #nuclearweapons #nucleardeterrent #Nuclear #ballisticmissiles #internationalsecurity #intercontinental #submarine #deterrent #technology #minuteman #ICBM #weapons CBRNE ATLANTIC BRIDGE (CAB) #defense #defence #russia #china #usa