Jon Piatt’s Post

The U.S. Air Force has put in motion plans to replace the E-4B Nightwatch, a flying castle designed fight in and survive a nuclear war. The service has picked a contractor, Sierra Nevada Corporation, to convert ex-passenger planes into aircraft capable of surviving the effects of a nuclear attack and help give orders to retaliate. The Nightwatch is a prime example of how unarmed “weapon systems” can be the most deadly ones of all. In April 2024, the U.S. Air Force awarded a $13 billion contract to Sierra Nevada Corporation to replace its current fleet of four E-4B National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC) aircraft. The replacement aircraft—tentatively known as the Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) Weapon System—will enter service in the mid-2030s. The planes—which have acquired the nickname “Nightwatch” for their reputation of being constantly on high alert—are a critical link in a complex chain that deters the U.S.’s adversaries from launching a surprise nuclear attack. https://lnkd.in/e24HfBiq

Growing mandate for safe, reliable, clean nuclear energy … “X-Energy Reactor Company, LLC (“X-energy”), a leading developer of advanced small modular nuclear reactors and fuel technology for clean energy generation, and the U.S. Department of Defense (“DoD” and “the department”) announced today an agreement to an expanded contract under the department’s Project Pele initiative to develop a transportable, cost-effective advanced nuclear microreactor prototype for use in remote military locations. X-energy expects to advance the design of its prototype – which could ultimately be used for commercial or industrial use in civilian applications – through an award of $17.49 million within an existing contract with the DOD. #SustainingEnergyInnovation #Leadership #Innovation #CleanEnergy #Nuclear #NuclearEnergy #Energy #AllEmissionsMatter #AllTheAboveEnergy #NECenergy #EntropicQuantumUncertainty https://lnkd.in/gX52f7RS

𝗟𝘂𝗳𝘁𝘄𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲: 𝗙-𝟯𝟱𝗔 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗡𝘂𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 The recent announcement of the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) receiving its nuclear certification has been warmly welcomed, marking a significant milestone in Germany's procurement of these advanced aircraft. With Germany's decision to purchase 35 F-35A aircraft for both nuclear and conventional strike missions, the nuclear operational certification of the F-35A is a pivotal factor in solidifying the Luftwaffe's strategic capabilities. The timely awarding of this certification by the Joint Program Office (JPO) highlights the efficiency and readiness of the F-35A program. Having surpassed this crucial hurdle ahead of schedule, the Luftwaffe is now poised to enhance its operational readiness and effectiveness. This achievement follows rigorous testing, including nuclear flight trials conducted by the US Air Force's Test and Evaluation Squadrons. The successful release of B61-12 Joint Test Assemblies during the Full-Weapon System Demonstration demonstrates the F-35A's capability and reliability in fulfilling nuclear mission requirements. As Germany continues to modernize its defense capabilities, the integration of the F-35A into the Luftwaffe's fleet represents a significant step forward in ensuring national security and defense readiness.

#QuadNuke🇺🇸 America's strategic #nuclear #arsenal has evolved from a traditional #triad to now encompass a #quad, marking a pivotal shift in #nuclear #deterrence #capabilities. The original American nuclear triad included long-range ballistic missiles launched from U.S. soil, submarine-launched ballistic missiles deployed across global oceans, and a fleet of advanced stealth bombers such as the B-2 and the newer B-21. These bombers are equipped to carry a variety of tactical nuclear weapons, including dial-a-yield options and larger megaton warheads, deployable from both #Pacific airfields and #continental bases. Now, this formidable triad has been augmented by the integration of #F35 fighter jets on #nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. These carriers serve as mobile platforms, capable of projecting #nuclear #power across the seas, enhancing the flexibility and reach of #America's #nuclear posture. #Note* Additionally, this expansion should consider other unofficial projects(#nuclear #quintet), such as #miniaturized #tactical #nuclear #devices carried by special forces to target the heart of enemy systems. #NuclearDeterrence🇺🇸 #TargetList

First, it improves theater deterrence options by decreasing reliance on aircraft-delivered weapons. Second, it could complement or replace the W76-2, distributing some of the theater deterrence role to attack submarines (SSNs) while reserving ballistic-missile submarines (SSBNs) for higher levels of conflict. Third, SLCM-N contributes to U.S. arms control, assurance, and nonproliferation objectives as complementary facets of U.S. nuclear strategy.

🔥 Killing ICBMs.🔥 Concerns rise as the Arms Control Association and the Physicists Coalition suggest the U.S. cancel the Sentinel ICBM program, aiming to reduce nuclear arsenals by 60%. Despite Congressional support for Sentinel, they argue this move could inadvertently heighten nuclear war risks. Critics stress the importance of maintaining a robust deterrent against limited nuclear threats from adversaries. War on the Rocks RealClearDefense Air Force Global Strike Command American Enterprise Institute Reuters Fox News Media Air & Space Forces Association Air & Space Forces Magazine Stars and Stripes Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) https://buff.ly/3SyIlQu #NuclearDeterrence #ArmsControl #SentinelICBM #NationalSecurity

The best way to combat nuclear weapons is to completely give up on them. If this is not possible, then the best way to fight them is to know them, to simulate their trajectories and flight parameters, to develop systems to intercept them, and to train for successful interceptions. After the Cold War we all believed that the nuclear threat was no longer a realistic prospect. The last two years have unfortunately shown us the opposite. The nuclear threat continues to be a major threat to human civilisation. ARCA manufactures the MIRTV (Multiple Independent Reentry Target Vehicle) which simulates the terminal phase of MIRVs (Multiple Independently-targetable Reentry Vehicles) carried to targets by ICBMs (Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles. MIRTV vehicles manufactured at ARCA are currently going through the military homologation procedures and serve as training targets for anti-ballistic forces whose duty is to intercept nuclear and conventional missiles. #ARCA25 #ARCASpace #ARCA #WeAreARCASpace #MIRTV #MIRV #ICBM #nuclear #threat #danger

I’m not sure I agree with all the potential implications in this article - particularly that nuclear weapons on this palletized system is inevitable, or even if we did, that we’d consider putting them on allied cargo planes. Still, and interesting capability, especially in the conventional mission space. And, if we did make this a nuclear, or nuclear capable, sustem, it would prove interesting at future arms control agreements.

Opinion: It Is Time to Make the Next Generation of America’s ICBMs Road-Mobile https://lnkd.in/dKyxh--a No serious defense thinker wants a larger nuclear arsenal for the sake of a larger arsenal. America must field a credible strategic deterrent, based on the triad of bombers, ground-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, and ballistic missile submarines, that will provide stability in a time of uncertainty. Making a comparatively modest investment (an additional cost of roughly $20 billion over the next 50 years) in a slightly more diversified strategic arsenal will be well worth the money.

My article regarding the nuclear strategic implications of the F-35A, for the The Defence Horizon Journal was recently mentioned by the AsiaTimes. "In a June 2023 article for The Defense Horizon Journal (TDHJ), Severin Pleyer mentions that criticism of the F-35A’s role in nuclear deterrence revolves around its generational classification, stealth capabilities and operational limitations. Despite the F-35A’s marketing as a 5th-generation fighter, there’s a lack of clear, quantifiable metrics defining the category, especially regarding stealth, Pleyer notes. He says that advancements in radar technology by adversaries have cast new doubt on the longevity and efficacy of stealth as a singularly viable capability. Pleyer also mentions operational concerns regarding the F-35A’s network-centric warfare approach, which emphasizes information sharing and battlefield awareness. He says that while designed to enhance force interoperability, the aircraft’s limitations in payload capacity for nuclear munitions and dependence on external assets for mission success present substantial risks." For the full length article to my analyis regarding the nuclear strategic implications of the F-35A, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gryYc5cG