Recent arguments have emphasized the increased risk of inadvertent escalation from integrating and comingling conventional and nuclear command and control (NC2) systems. In this report, the authors argue that these concerns are overstated. However, they also point out that certain risks associated with using non-dedicated systems for NC2 warrant more-focused attention.
Unraveling Entanglement
Policy Implications of Using Non-Dedicated Systems for Nuclear Command and Control
Download Free Electronic Document
| Format | File Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PDF file | 0.1 MB | Use Adobe Acrobat Reader version 10 or higher for the best experience. |
Research Questions
- What are the potential risks of inadvertent escalation from integrating and comingling nuclear and conventional command and control systems?
- How can any risks of inadvertent escalation be managed?
The systems used for command and control in the U.S. military are undergoing modernization with an eye toward greater integration and interoperability. Recent arguments have emphasized the increased risk of inadvertent escalation from integrating and comingling conventional and nuclear command and control (NC2) systems. In this report, the authors argue that these concerns are overstated and that the risks introduced are manageable. That said, the different risks associated with using non-dedicated systems for NC2 warrant more-focused attention to (1) achieve mission assurance for command and control, (2) retain presidential and senior leader confidence in command and control capabilities even when systems degrade under attack, and (3) control the ability to send and receive signals of resolve and restraint through command and control.
Key Findings
Entanglement Is a Fairly New Concept
- A concept labeled entanglement has recently gained currency within the academic nuclear policy community. Advocates of entanglement claim that using systems in common for nuclear and conventional command and control risks inadvertent escalation.
- Even if command and control systems could be perfectly disentangled, it would not guarantee the avoidance of inadvertent escalation risks.
- Risks of inadvertent escalation from the use of non-dedicated systems for nuclear command and control can be managed.
Recommendations
- Design the system of systems for command and control to ensure that needs are met at every level of military activity, from day-to-day readiness, through crisis or gray conflict, conventional war, regional conventional war with potential or limited nuclear use, to general nuclear war.
- Monitor the mission assurance of command and control functions under all foreseeable threats and hazards.
- Assess how command and control capabilities would degrade when under attack.
- Communicate the expected degradation to relevant leaders.
Research conducted by
The research reported here was commissioned by Air Force Global Strike Command and conducted within the Force Modernization and Employment Program of RAND Project AIR FORCE.
This report is part of the RAND Corporation Research report series. RAND reports present research findings and objective analysis that address the challenges facing the public and private sectors. All RAND reports undergo rigorous peer review to ensure high standards for research quality and objectivity.
This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited; linking directly to this product page is encouraged. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial purposes. For information on reprint and reuse permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions.
The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.