The Air Force will base a new program office for nuclear command and control at Hanscom AFB, Mass. The Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications Integration Directorate and Program Executive Officer will oversee the acquisition and integration of programs that handle communications between senior leaders and US nuclear forces, according to a release from the Massachusetts political leadership. “Modern, effective communications technologies between the President and our military leaders are crucial to safely managing our nuclear capabilities,” Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) said in the release. The office will include more than 40 positions at Hanscom, along with another 40 positions with local contractors, according to the release. Hanscom will not house actual nuclear weapons.
The $4.26 billion Small Business Innovation Research contracting program widely used by the Air Force went into hibernation as the government shut down Oct. 1, but unless lawmakers strike a deal on reforms, the program could reach an abrupt end.
