U.S. Department of Defense Nuclear Weapons System Assurance Program ()

Key Chapter Title List

1. General Release Information
2. Scope of Application
3. Policy Stipulations
4. Implementation Requirements
5. Division of Responsibilities
6. Responsibilities of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment
7. Responsibilities of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs
8. Responsibilities of the Director, Defense Threat Reduction Agency
9. Responsibilities of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering
10. Responsibilities of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security
11. Glossary
12. Reference Documents

Document Introduction

This document is the U.S. Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 3150.02, "Nuclear Weapons System Assurance Program," effective December 17, 2024. It constitutes a reissuance and update of the 2013 version of the DoD Instruction, aiming to establish a unified nuclear weapon system assurance policy framework based on relevant Presidential Policy Directives and top-level Department of Defense documents. As a core normative document of the U.S. nuclear deterrent system, its primary objective is to ensure the safety, security, and control of U.S. and allied nuclear weapon systems and nuclear weapons under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense, preventing risks of various types of unauthorized use or accidental events.

The document clarifies the scope of application of the program, covering all relevant components of the Department of Defense, including the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Military Departments, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Defense Agencies, and other subordinate organizations. At the policy level, it establishes the core principle of the President as the sole authorizer for the use of U.S. nuclear weapons, emphasizing that the safety, security, and control of nuclear weapon systems are interconnected and inseparable, requiring coordinated assurance through standardized lifecycle processes and risk management mechanisms.

Regarding core standards, the document stipulates four nuclear weapon assurance standards, targeting key risk points respectively: preventing nuclear explosions from accidents or abandoned weapons, eliminating unauthorized deliberate activation and launch, preventing accidental activation under normal and credible abnormal environments, and blocking unauthorized access through physical or digital means. Simultaneously, it systematically incorporates modern security elements such as cybersecurity, Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM), and emerging disruptive technology threat assessments into the existing assurance system, forming a multi-layered, comprehensive protection architecture.

The division of responsibilities section details the specific authorities and duties of relevant parties, including the overall oversight and guidance responsibilities of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, the policy development and reporting responsibilities of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs, the technical support and training responsibilities of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, as well as the execution and collaboration responsibilities of the Military Departments, Combatant Commands, intelligence agencies, etc., in their respective domains. The document also standardizes key processes such as personnel reliability assurance, certification audits, technical inspections, and emergency response, providing clear operational guidance for policy implementation.

The implementation of this instruction will further enhance the assurance level of U.S. nuclear weapon systems through unified standards, clarified authorities and responsibilities, and strengthened coordination, providing institutional support for maintaining the credibility and safety of its nuclear deterrent. It also serves as an authoritative reference for understanding the latest developments and practical pathways in U.S. nuclear security policy.