Nuclear force in need of C3 improvements, STRATCOM's Kehler says
- By Defense Systems Staff
- Mar 30, 2012
The Strategic Command's command, control and communications (C3) network is functioning at a less than an optimum level, Air Force Gen. Robert Kehler told the Senate Armed Services Committee March 27, reports Air Force Times.
“I will always be a little uncomfortable about the network,” STRATCOM Commander Kehler told the committee. “I will tell you that I think there is more to be done.”
The shortcomings are being addressed by the $14 billion Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite program scheduled to replace the existing Milstar satellite program, which will provide better protection against signal jamming, among other improvements.
However, the command needs upgraded ground control terminals to realize the full capability of the new satellites, a more secure connection with bombers and other improvements to the ground-based portion of nuclear C3, the story said.