The Defense Department has directed the U.S. Strategic Command to solely oversee the country’s nuclear command, control and communications platforms and operations following a review ordered by Defense Secretary James Mattis, SpaceNews reported Monday.
Mattis authorized the months-long assessment due to concerns that NC3 lacked an integrated governance structure.
Maj. Meghan Liemburg-Archer, a spokeswoman for Stratcom, told SpaceNews in an email that Gen. John Hyten, commander of Stratcom, has been named by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to lead the NC3 enterprise “with increased responsibilities for operations, requirements and systems engineering and integration.â€
Hyten and Mattis are both two-time Wash100 recipients.
The report said the office of the defense undersecretary for acquisition and sustainment will manage the procurement and resources related to NC3 systems that include radars and warning satellites; ground stations, aircraft and communications satellites; control centers for nuclear platforms; and mobile and fixed command posts.
