US Air Force and NATO Upgrade Nuclear Readiness

Raytheon Intelligence and Space (RIS),a division of Raytheon Technologies,has installed the first Global Aircrew Strategic Network Terminal (ASNT) system for the US Air Force at Barksdale Air Force Base,Louisiana.Barksdale is home of 2nd Bomb Wing (2BW) and its approximately 44 B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers,as well as Air Force Global Strike Command.The project modernises existing protected communications systems,while adding new capabilities for both nuclear and non-nuclear Command and Control,the company explained in a news release on 11 April 2022: Global ASNT ensures robust communications to provide protected communications to nuclear bomber,missile and support aircraft crews in austere environments.* The Global ASNT system uses satellite communications to provide Command and Control,linking nuclear forces to national command authorities,operating on both MILSTAR and Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellites.They provide critical data at the tactical edge for smart decision-making in near real-time.The nearly 600 million dollar contract supports the Air Force Global Strike Command (GSC).* RIS will complete three additional base installs to bring GSC up to Initital Operating Capability (IOC).A total of 90 terminals will be fielded in both fixed and transportable configurations by the end of 2023,according to RIS.RIS delivers disruptive technologies for success in any domain,against any challenge.It develops advanced sensors,cyber services and software solutions for a decisive advantage to its military customers,according to RIS.* A communications dish on the command post roof maintains the connection between the Global ASNT and nuclear Command,Control and Communications (C3).The system delIvers assured communications between national command authorities and strategic deterrence forces in a range of environments and circumstances,better connecting warfighters through improved information sharing.Using multiple satellite constellations provides resilience and redundancy in challenging circumstances,such as jamming or while coming under attack.* Along the same lines,NATO,as authorised by the NATO Nuclear Committee,has been upgrading its nuclear deterrence assets from Cold War standards since at least 2015,in the wake of Russia's first invasion of Ukraine.These assets are located on air bases in Belgium,Germany,Italy,the Netherlands,Turkey and,more recently,the UK.For exampe,new nuclear security perimeters for the Protective Aircraft Shelters (PAS) and the underground vaults that contain tactical nuclear weapons (US B61 bombs) that are sited beneath each PAS have been installed at Aviano Air Base,Italy and Incerlik Air Base,Turkey.The upgraded nuclear security perimeters include double fencing;lighting;cameras;intrusion detection;and a vehicle patrol road between the two fences,in accordance with US standards.As well,the B61 bombs are to be serviced in the PAS by the new Secure Transportable Maintenance System (STMS) trailers,and communications are being,or have been,modernised.* The US has recently begun the forward deployment of 24 USAF nuclear-capable Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters to RAF Lakenheath,England.There the extensive underground vaults are to be upgraded after having been removed from service in 2008 during an era of rising hopes for arms control.Now,however,Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the improved accuracy of its cruise missile guidance systems have made NATO rethink its requirements.So the Lakenheath bunkers are once again considered desirable,adding flexibility for tactical nuclear weapons storage in light of the heightened Russian capabilty and aggression near NATO'S Eastern Flank.In the event of a crisis,some of the weapons could be shifted around from the other nuclear air bases to RAF Lakenheath as needed,and the aircraft to deliver them would be readily available at RAF Lakenheath.Although Russian resort to nuclear weapons cannot be dismissed,the Intelligence Community does not assess that there is an acute threat of Russian use of tactical nuclear weapons at this time.* The new B61-12 tactical nucear weapons are considered superior because of lower yield;greater accuracy;and reliability for such missions as nuclear attack;earth-penetrating strikes;above surface detonation;and bunker-buster explosions.* Lockheed Martin (LMT),Raytheon Technologies (RTX)