A B-52 strategic bomber and two F/A-18 fighter jets fly over a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. (File photo)

1架B-52战略轰炸机和2架F/A-18战斗机飞过“尼米兹”号航母。（资料图）

By Liu Kehan

刘柯涵

The US Department of Defense (DoD) recently released a report on nuclear arsenal investment for the next ten years, foreign media reported. The report revealed a US$756 billion budget for nuclear arsenal buildup for the period of 2023-2032, including US$117 billion for the nuclear command, control and communications (NC3) upgrade program, an increase of US$23 billion from the last decade. This was the first time, after the Biden administration issued the Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) last year, that the US military specified the focuses and directions of its nuclear buildup and explained the items of NC3.

据外媒报道，近日，美国国防部发布一份关于未来10年核武库投资情况的报告。报告称，2023年至2032年美核武库建设领域预算将达7560亿美元，其中核指挥、控制和通信升级计划花费1170亿美元，较上一个10年增加230亿美元。这是继拜登政府去年公布《核态势评估》报告后，美军方首次说明核军备建设重点和发展方向，并就核指挥、控制和通信项目内容作出阐释。

According to Pentagon, the 2023-2032 period is vital, during which Washington will pour money in three key directions: nuclear weapon infrastructure, a triad nuclear arsenal, and the NC3. The NC3 is a complex system comprising at least 204 sub-systems, 70% of which are in the air force's combat command. The last time the US military upgraded its NC3 system was in the 1980s. With the latest one, it vowed to integrate modern technologies such as big data and AI.

美国防部表示，2023年至2032年非常关键，美国将在核武器基础设施、“三位一体”核武库建设及核指挥、控制和通信3个重点方向投入大量资金，打造现代化核武库。据悉，美核指挥、控制和通信系统结构复杂，由至少204个分系统组成，其中70%分布在空军作战指挥机构。美军上一次对核指挥、控制和通信的升级要追溯至20世纪80年代。此次升级，美军提出要实现大数据和人工智能等现代化技术的融合。

According to the DoD's plan, the US Air Force will install the Global Aircrew Strategic Network Terminal (Global ASNT), which already had initial combat capability at the end of 2022, being able to operate consistently under strong electromagnetic and communications jamming and transmit combat command to strategic bombers or land-based intercontinental ballistic missile systems within one minute. As the "Doomsday Plane" of nuclear command, the E-4B and E-6B airborne command aircraft will be equipped with a new information data operation system and AI-assisted decision-making system. To enhance communications security, the new-generation encryption device will be installed along with the latest anti-jamming communications module and quantum technology in addition to several stable communications channels.

按照美国防部的规划，美空军今年将大规模接装“全球空勤战略网络终端”。该终端已于2022年底具备初始作战能力，能在强电磁和通信干扰环境下持续运行，1分钟内将作战指令传递给战略轰炸机或陆基洲际弹道导弹系统。作为核指挥所的“末日飞机”E-4B和E-6B空中指挥机，也将换装全新信息数据操作系统和人工智能辅助决策系统。在通信安全方面，除加装多类稳定的通信线路外，还将增加新一代加密设备，并使用最新抗干扰技术的通信模块和量子技术。

It's worth noting that the US NC3 system also includes a reconnaissance and early warning system, command facility construction, and other domains. The US DoD has intentionally put the reconnaissance and early warning system under the missile defense budget and command facility construction under another budget in a poorly veiled attempt to pool more capital for upgrading the NC3 capability.

值得一提的是，美核指挥、控制和通信系统较为复杂，还包括侦察预警体系、指挥设施建设等多个领域。美国防部有意采取“分割”方式，将侦察预警体系列入导弹防御预算开支，将指挥设施建设归为其他预算项目，变相为提升核指挥、控制和通信能力注入资金。

Foreign media analyzed that as Pentagon advances its NC3 capabilities and upgrades the triad nuclear arsenal, it has at the same time improved other nuclear facilities and related security and defense features. The US military remains in a leading position as far as nuclear combat force is concerned. For instance, 90% of its land-based intercontinental missiles are combat-ready and can be launched within 32 seconds at the fastest. Against such a background, the US flaunting its all-round nuclear capability in the next 10 years is aimed at showcasing the deterrence of its modern nuclear arsenal and consequently securing its hegemony.

外媒分析，美国防部核指挥、控制和通信能力建设，与“三位一体”核武库更新进程一体化推进，美核设施的完善升级、相关安全防务工作也在专项资金支撑下展开。就核作战能力而言，美军仍处于领先地位。比如，美军90%的陆基洲际导弹处于战备状态，最快32秒实施发射。在此背景下，美国渲染其未来10年的全面核武装实力，意在显示其现代化核武库威慑力，以实现“以核谋霸”的图谋。

It is reported that the US taking the initiative to reveal its nuclear combat capability – to be doubled in the next decade as it claims – is to create a nuclear watercooler moment, heighten the global nuclear tension, and generate multiple overspill effects.

有报道称，美国主动披露其核战力，并号称其未来10年能力翻升，意在制造核“噱头”，拉高全球核军备态势，制造多重外溢效应。

In October 2022, the Biden administration issued three reports in a package – National Defense Strategy, Nuclear Posture Review, and Missile Defense Review. The US DoD's latest 10-year NC3 program is a manifestation of them.

2022年10月，拜登政府捆绑式发布《国家防务战略》《核态势评估》和《导弹防御评估》3份报告。此轮美国防部公布核指挥、控制和通信能力10年计划，是上述战略的具体体现。

At the same time, the 10-year nuclear arsenal upgrade program will aggravate the global nuclear game with the possibility of a nuclear arms race. Pentagon said it will keep running its own NC3 with the allies for interoperability through nuclear exercises. Such a mindset pivoted on bloc confrontation in the nuclear security domain will undoubtedly add more security risks to Europe, Asia Pacific and other regions.

同时，美国防部持续10年的核武库升级计划，将加剧全球核博弈态势，可能引发核军备竞赛。美国防部表示，将在核演习中不断磨合与盟友的核指挥、控制和通信机制。这种在核安全领域阵营化、集团化的对抗思路，无疑将加剧欧洲和亚太等地区的安全风险。