Strategic Deterrence & Nuclear Programs

Research, Wargaming & Tools

The world has entered a new multi-polar environment.

To successfully manage the implications of 21st-century rivalry with nuclear-armed great powers, both strategic insight and deep operational understanding are required. World-class research that undergirds both ironclad strategic deterrence in peacetime and decisive victory should rivalry erupt into conflict is critical.

The National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) at the University of Nebraska, the University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) sponsored by U.S. Strategic Command, proudly supports the Nation in this effort. With partners across the University of Nebraska System (NU), our contributions help:

Strengthen U.S. strategic deterrence.
Advance thought on the U.S. nuclear posture, especially regarding limited nuclear conflict.
Mitigate the effects of foreign nuclear capabilities and intentions.

Deep Expertise

Deterrence

NSRI has delivered important contributions to military and civilian leaders working toward strategic deterrence. Our efforts include:

Nuclear education
Escalation dynamics research
Tabletop exercises
Decision support tools
High-performance materials research
Advanced manufacturing of components
Conceptual nuclear weapon design
Survivability of forces
NC3 research
Electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO) research
Deterrence policy requirements

Defense

NSRI helps to strengthen nuclear security by conducting research for U.S. government agencies in the areas of:

Weapon and material security
Proliferation technology detection
Nuclear nonproliferation

Additional research in the area of nuclear counterterrorism includes:

Detection of special nuclear material
Radiological material characterization
Rapidly deployable nuclear sensors
Hazard modeling research
Medical countermeasure research in cases of radiological exposure

Diplomacy

Arms control remains an essential tool for the U.S. to reduce nuclear risks to itself and its allies and partners.

To support its 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.

Leading Capabilities

NSRI, with research faculty across the University of Nebraska System, supports the top national priority of strategic deterrence and risk reduction across a range of research areas.

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

Arms Control and Nonproliferation

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

Weapons Policy

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

Consequence Management

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

Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO)

Operational risk analysis

Spectrum management research

Cognitive EMSO efforts

Assessment of EMSO on deterrence

Conflict Deterrence and Escalation Dynamics

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

Featured Work

NSRI researchers work across a broad range of activities to support agencies across the DOW and federal government. The following are examples of our work.

Advancing Strategic Deterrence Education

NSRI delivers strategic deterrence education and scenario-driven exercises that prepare national security professionals for complex decision-making. Through foundational instruction and realistic tabletop exercises, participants explore deterrence theory, escalation dynamics, nuclear modernization and the challenges of making strategic decisions under uncertainty. Get details >

Characterization of the EMSO Environment

Launched in late 2023 and delivered in early 2025, this project provided research and analysis for electromagnetic environment instrumentation and data collection to USSTRATCOM’s Joint Center for Electromagnetic Readiness (JCER) Facility, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. NSRI provided several scientifically rigorous technical reports to help JCER draw precise, accurate and relevant conclusions regarding the performance of platforms, systems, tactics, techniques and procedures applicable to the Joint Force. Get details >

Artificial Intelligence for Dynamic Spectrum Sharing

Through NSRI, University of Nebraska–Lincoln researchers are developing AI-powered radios that can adapt to interference and changing conditions within the electromagnetic spectrum. The technology is designed to identify available spectrum, maintain reliable connections and ultimately enable dynamic spectrum sharing in contested environments. Get details >

Strategic Dialogues

NSRI is supporting a Defense Threat Reduction Agency initiative to deliberate on the fundamental assurance requirements of Allies and extended deterrence. NSRI personnel led thought leaders and policy experts from Australia, Japan and South Korea through a strategic escalation wargame and workshop in 2025. They will capture, analyze and synthesize these Allied perspectives regarding what is needed to assure them and to extend deterrence to U.S. Indo-Pacific Allies and partners.

Team Leaders

Adam Carlstrom, MBA

Associate Executive Director

Carlstrom represents NSRI and NU with U.S. Strategic Command, the sponsor of NSRI’s University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) status. The U.S. Department of War designates this status to only 15 total institutions of higher education in the country.

Allen Geist, MAS

Research Director

Geist’s unique experiences at the tactical, operational and strategic levels provide a critical perspective that can enable a synchronization of the efforts and resources required for USSTRATCOM to further its EMSO role.

Patrick Rhoads, MS

Research Director

Rhoads helps direct NSRI's nuclear enterprise support program, which serves the complementary needs of USSTRATCOM’s federal partners in managing the nation’s nuclear deterrent.

Erik Johnson

Director

Johnson brings more than three decades of leadership and operational expertise in strategic deterrence and nuclear operations.

Connect With NSRI

As the University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) designated by the U.S. Department of War, sponsored by U.S. Strategic Command and affiliated with the University of Nebraska System, the National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) delivers solutions for strategic deterrence and CWMD mission requirements. Our rapid-response capabilities and efficient contracting vehicle can help federal government program managers meet critical research and development needs. Connect with us to learn more.

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