Nuclear and Conventional Physical Security Equipment RDT&E ADC&P

The Nuclear Matters, Advanced Component Development & Prototypes program, managed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, is a multi-faceted research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) effort focused on enhancing the United States' ability to deter and defend against nuclear and conventional threats. This program supports the Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance by addressing the growing multi-domain threats posed by adversaries such as China and Russia, deterring strategic attacks, and building a resilient joint force. The program integrates advanced engineering development and rapid fielding to develop material solutions that either become Programs of Record, technology insertions into existing programs, or certified commercial/government off-the-shelf products.

A major component of this program is nuclear and conventional physical security, with the Physical Security Enterprise and Analysis Program (PSEAP) at its core. PSEAP develops advanced physical security solutions for both nuclear and non-nuclear environments, focusing on deterring, detecting, delaying, denying, and defeating adversaries. The program leverages commonalities in physical security requirements across the Combatant Commands and Military Services to ensure interoperability, sustainability, and avoidance of redundant efforts. Key objectives include counter-uncrewed systems across all domains, advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning for security applications, insider threat detection, maritime security, and intrusion detection on physical security networks. The program also aims to modernize physical security systems, enhance supply chain security, and update interoperability standards for future threats.

Another critical line item is national technical nuclear forensics (NTNF), mandated by National Security Presidential Memorandum 35 and the 2022 Nuclear Posture Review. The Department of Defense leads the U.S. Government's post-detonation NTNF capability, which is essential for detecting, identifying, and attributing the source of nuclear or radiological attacks in all environments. The NTNF program invests in the development and retention of technical expertise, improvements in sample collection and analysis, and the operationalization of new forensic capabilities. Specific goals include accelerating the collection and analysis of post-detonation debris, improving quality assurance processes, and developing advanced sensor systems for prompt signal detection. These efforts support timely and credible attribution, which is vital for national response and deterrence.

Innovative technologies is a collaborative initiative between the Department of Defense and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) aimed at developing new technologies to counter nuclear proliferation and defeat nuclear threat devices, including improvised nuclear devices and radiological dispersal devices. The program leverages expertise from national laboratories to support current and future counterproliferation missions. Its primary objective is to ensure that Department of Defense operational units work closely with NNSA technology experts to define requirements early, thereby reducing the time required to field new technologies. Due to the sensitive nature of these efforts, detailed reporting is provided to Congress through Special Access Program channels.

Nuclear survivability focuses on ensuring that Department of Defense mission-critical systems can survive and operate in nuclear weapons effects (NWE) environments. This line item invests in innovative radiation hardening techniques to modernize microelectronics for strategic and space systems, thereby increasing the reliability of mission-critical systems. The program sponsors research to better understand radiation effects on advanced CMOS technologies, improve radiation hardening by design, and leverage novel manufacturing techniques. It also supports comparative studies on electromagnetic pulse hardening for critical infrastructure, as required by Executive Order 13865, and seeks to increase access to survivable technologies and materials while reducing costs.

Across all these efforts, the Nuclear Matters, Advanced Component Development & Prototypes program emphasizes collaboration with Department of Defense components, other government agencies, and international partners to close capability gaps and ensure a comprehensive approach to nuclear security. The program's integrated strategy is designed to reduce risks from current and emerging threats, sustain critical technical expertise, and maintain a credible deterrent posture. Budget adjustments reflect ongoing efforts to achieve cost efficiencies and align with broader government reform initiatives.