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Nuclear Weapons Enterprise Support

Research and exercises for the nation's most challenging issues surrounding the world's most destructive weapons. Strengthening U.S. nuclear deterrence, advancing thought regarding U.S. nuclear posture and mitigating the effects of foreign nuclear capabilities and intentions.

The world has entered a new multi-polar environment requiring strategic and operational understanding of the implications of 21st-century competition with nuclear-armed great powers and research that supports decisive victory should competition erupt into conflict.

The National Strategic Research Institute and the University of Nebraska are proud partners in these efforts.

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Innovative Capabilities

Deterrence

With our collaborative partners we have made valuable contributions in the areas of nuclear education, escalation dynamics research, table top exercises for civilian and military leaders, decision support tools, high-performance materials research, advanced manufacturing of components, conceptual nuclear weapon design, survivability of forces, NC3 research and deterrence policy requirements.

Defense

We help to strengthen nuclear security by conducting research in the areas of weapon and material security, proliferation technology R&D, proliferation technology detection and nuclear nonproliferation advice to relevant U.S. agencies. Additional research in the area of nuclear counterterrorism includes detection of special nuclear material, radiological material characterization, rapidly deployable nuclear sensors, hazard modeling research and medical countermeasure research in cases of radiological exposure.

Diplomacy

Though the geopolitical environment for diplomacy has been unfavorable recently, arms control remains an essential tool for the U.S. to reduce nuclear risks to itself and its allies and partners. To support our customers and sponsors, NSRI and the University of Nebraska research diplomatic and foreign engagement options in all areas of nuclear arms control, nonproliferation and verification.

Biennial Report 2020

Passing the Baton: Next-Gen Nuclear Deterrence, Defense & Diplomacy Read

NSRI & University of Nebraska Capabilities

NSRI, with research faculty at the University of Nebraska, is poised to support the top national priority of nuclear deterrence and risk reduction through a range of research areas.

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Academic Wargaming Center

  • Academic-focused exploration of wargaming as a learning tool
  • Participants can test theories about complex, real world problems
  • Enables creativity with no pre-defined, “textbook” solutions
  • Failure is allowed (and encouraged) to gain insights
  • Provides an experiential leadership and group dynamics laboratory
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Arms Control and Nonpoliferation

  • Treaty monitoring technology R&D
  • Arms control policy research
  • Nonproliferation threat analysis
  • Nuclear nonproliferation detection R&D
  • Treaty break-away potential
  • Relevant net assessments to support future diplomatic efforts
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Weapons Policy

  • Foreign threat analysis
  • Deterrence, assurance requirements
  • Conceptual weapon design
  • Strategic materials production
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Consequence Management

  • Precision nuclear forensics
  • Nuclear detection technologies
  • Hazard modeling
  • Disaster mitigation research
  • Radiological decontamination and medical countermeasures
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Enterprise Support Technologies

  • NC3 technology R&D
  • NC3 concepts and architecture
  • High-performance non-nuclear materials research
  • Non-nuclear component advanced manufacturing research
  • Nuclear security, certification research

Conflict Deterrence and Escalation Dynamics

  • Table top exercises
  • Nuclear conflict wargames
  • Escalation dynamics model development
  • Decision support tools
  • Nuclear deterrence education
  • Operational, tactical planning support

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Nuclear Capabilities Handout

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Highlighted Deliverables

The bedrock of deterrence is founded on a safe, secure, ready and reliable nuclear Triad. However, forces operated by STRATCOM provide the core of deterrence within a much more complicated environment. Understanding and integrating within this "tapestry of deterrence" is vital to STRATCOM's 21st century mission. NSRI, STRATCOM’s University-Affiliated Research Center, is convening the resources of the University of Nebraska to purposefully guide the University’s next phase of support in this space.

NSRI is conducting a series of table-top wargames to explore escalation dynamics and challenges posed by limited nuclear conflict, strengthening the Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s capability to support national leadership and warfighters as they seek to deter great power competitors who may be prepared to engage in the unthinkable.

Coinciding with the stand-up of the NC3 Enterprise Center (NEC), NSRI investigated processes for collaborative research organizations and governance models that could support NEC research efforts. NSRI also developed a NC3 Federated Lab concept that will pave the way for developing the next generation of NC3 architectures and capabilities.

Work With NSRI

As USSTRATCOM’s University Affiliated Research Center (UARC), the National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebraska provides an invaluable understanding of strategic deterrence and CBRNE-related requirements gaps. Our Institute’s rapid-response capabilities can help meet your research and solutions needs. Connect with us to find out what we can accomplish together.

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