Nuclear Weapons Support

The PE 0604222F: Nuclear Weapons Support program is a critical Air Force research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) initiative focused on ensuring the safety, reliability, security, and operational effectiveness of all Air Force nuclear weapons and supporting systems. Executed primarily by the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC) at Kirtland AFB, NM, and the Air Force Safety Center (AFSEC), this program supports technical and programmatic activities across the nuclear enterprise. The overarching goals include advancing system development, sustainment, interoperability, compatibility, safety, security, reliability, and cyber resiliency. The program also manages nuclear stockpile certification and enterprise architecture alignment.

Engineering Analysis is dedicated to providing technical oversight and expertise on all Air Force nuclear weapons and systems. Its objectives center on integrating model-based digital engineering and modular design approaches into systems and mission engineering processes. The program aims to develop a digitally informed workforce, improve assurance for fielded systems, and enhance integration with warfighter mission capability assessments. Key activities include independent analyses throughout the nuclear weapon system lifecycle, data management modernization, cloud-based implementation, and the development of a nuclear enterprise architecture.

Planned funding increases reflect a greater emphasis on enterprise architecture changes, digital engineering process improvement, and cybersecurity penetration testing for new system deployments.

Nuclear Weapon System Technology and Integration is the largest component, with a mission to ensure the safety, survivability, security, and effectiveness of Air Force nuclear weapon systems. This program conducts technical, operational, and intelligence evaluations, modeling and simulation, test and evaluation, and vulnerability analysis to support both legacy and modernized systems. It also manages DoD-required nuclear certification for new and existing systems, including independent reviews of safety and surety features.

Major objectives include developing and validating modeling and simulation tools for nuclear effects, supporting EMP survivability programs, conducting vulnerability assessments through the Air Force Nuclear Red Team, and optimizing the nuclear certification process using advanced digital tools and artificial intelligence. Within this component, specific projects include evaluating and testing nuclear environments and impacts on platforms, independent vulnerability assessments, and statutory and regulatory certification activities for all nuclear-capable platforms and facilities.

These efforts involve developing new testing strategies, improving compatibility assessments, and transitioning certification processes to risk-informed, digitally optimized approaches. The program also invests in the sustainment and modernization of test devices, supports the Nuclear Certification Analysis Tool (NCAT), and adapts to evolving surety requirements.

Nuclear Weapons Support addresses the modernization and development of support equipment necessary for legacy and new nuclear-capable aircraft, munitions, and Weapon Generation Facilities (WGF) within Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC). The goals are to review, modify, or redevelop support equipment to meet mission requirements, including next-generation aerial stores lift trucks, Electric Manually Operated Lift Trucks, and large munitions units. The program supports engineering for requirements definition, technology maturation, risk reduction, and prototype delivery, with an emphasis on integrating advanced technologies such as machine vision and supervised autonomy to improve weapon loading and transport efficiency.

Plans for the coming fiscal year include advancing the large munitions unit program to prototype and operational testing stages, continuing the development of next-generation munitions handling equipment, and supporting the Agile Combat Employment (ACE) roadmap. The acquisition strategy leverages partnerships with industry, Manufacturing Extension Partnerships, and subject matter experts to deliver demonstration prototypes and production-ready units. These modernization efforts ensure that mission generation remains executable as nuclear systems and operational concepts evolve.

The PE 0604222F: Nuclear Weapons Support program is structured to provide continuous technical, engineering, and certification support for the Air Force nuclear enterprise. It addresses emerging threats, integrates digital transformation tools, and ensures the alignment of nuclear weapon system capabilities with operational requirements. The program's objectives are driven by the need to maintain a credible, safe, and effective nuclear deterrent, adapt to technological advancements, and comply with evolving regulatory standards and mission demands.