DAMO-SSD 25 September 1997

1. The nuclear, biological and chemical survivability of tactical Systems continues to be a critical element in Army plans and needs your continued attention. There appears to be a feeling among some that there is a reduction in the weapons of mass destruction (WMD) threat and that the Army no longer requires NBC survivability of mission critical systems. Nothing could be further from the truth. The proliferation of WMD continues at an alarming rate. Presently, over 20 countries have or are acquiring WMD; by the year 2000 this number is projected to be 30. In response td this growing threat, the SECDEF specifically directed the DoD Counterproliferation effort be increased by $1 B. To maintain our current dominance in the face of an increasing WMD threat, we must continue to build NBC survivability into our tactical systems.

2. Nations possessing high technology weapon systems stand to lose the most in a future WMD conflict if these systems are not hardened against WMD effects. Vulnerability to WMD invites the use of these weapons as a means of leveling the playing field to terms favorable to the enemy. Mission essential equipment hardened against WMD effects remains a critical element in support of the Army's mission of deterrence and has the support of the senior leadership of the Army.

3. DoD Instructions and Army regulations require the combat developers to address NBC survivability for mission critical systems. As a minimum, high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) survivability is required for mission critical equipment to preclude theater wide loss. If addressed early in the development cycle, NBC survivability will have a minimal effect on technology risk and program schedule. The materiel developer must understand the NBC survivability requirements, select the materiel that will enhance the system's ability to meet the survivability requirements, and then conduct survivability testing and assessments to verify that the system is NBC survivable. The use of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) and non-developmental items

DAMO-SSD

SUBJECT: Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Survivability Policy for Tactical Systems

(NDI) do not negate the requirement to be HEMP and NBC survivable. Most well built COTS and NDI have been tested and shown to be survivable.

4. Army Regulation 70-75 provides the required actions to ensure that our mission critical systems can survive the effects of NBC weapons and specifies that the U.S. Army Nuclear and Chemical Agency will issue the survivability criteria. Army Regulation 15-41, Nuclear and Chemical Survivability Committee, designates the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans as the only approval authority for waivers of established NBC survivability requirements.

CF:

HQDA, (SARD-ZA, SARD-ZCA/ZCS SARD-RP, SARD-DO, DAMI-ST, DALO-SMR, DAMO-FD, DAMO-FDB, DAMO-SS, DAMO-SSD) WASHINGTON, DC 20310

CDR, TRADOC, ATTN: ATCG, ATCD-SN/ZD, FORT MONROE, VA 23651-5000

CDR, AMC, ATTN: AMCCB, 5001 EISENHOWER AVE., ALEXANDRIA, VA 22333

CDR, AMCCOM, ATTN: AMSMC-CG, ROCK ISLAND, IL 61299-6000

CDR, ARDEC, ATTN: SMCAR-TD, PICATINNEY ARSENAL, NJ 07801-5000

CDR, ATCOM, ATTN: AMSAT-CG, 4300 GOODFELLOW BLVD., ST. LOUIS, MO

63120-1798

CDR, CBDCOM, ATTN: AMSCB-CG/EO, APG, MD 21010-5423

CDR, CECOM, ATTN: AMSEL-CG, FORT MONMOUTH, NJ 07703

CDR, MICOM, ATTN: AMSMI-CG, REDSTONE ARSENAL, AL 35898-5290

CDR, NRDEC, ATTN: STRNC-TD, NATICK, MA 01760-5014

CDR, SSDC, ATTN: CSSD-SL-S, P0 BOX 1500, HUNTSVILLE, AL 35807-3801

CDR, TACOM, ATTN: AMSTA-CG, WARREN, MI 48397-5000

CDR, TECOM, ATTN: AMSTE-CG/TA-T, ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD 21010

CDR, WSMR, ATTN: STEWS-NE-A, WSMR, NM 88002

CDR, OPTEC, ATTN: CSTE-ECS, PARK CENTER IV, 4501 FORD AVE., ALEXANDRIA, VA 22303

CDR, CBDCOM, ATTN: AMSCB-EO, ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD 21010

CDR, TACOM, ATTN: AMSTA-CF, WARREN, MI 48397

DAMO-SSD

DlRECTOR:

DIR, USANCA, ATTN: MONA-ZA/NU/CM, 7150 HELLER LOOP, SUITE 101, SPRINGFIELD, VA 22150

DIR, ARL/SLAD, ATTN: AMSRL-SL-CS/CO/CB, ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD 21010

DIR, EAC, ATTN CSTE-EAC, ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD 21010

DIR, USAMSAA, ATTN: AMXSY-CB/TD, ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD 21005

DIR, ERDEC, ATTN: SCBRD-TD/EN/RT/AS, APG, MD 21010-5423

PEO:

PEO, AVIATION, ATTN: SFAE-AV, 4300 GOODFELLOW BLVD., ST LOUIS, MO 63120

PEO, COMMAND, CONTROL, AND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS,

ATTN: SFAE-C35, FORT MONMOUTH, NJ 07703-5401

PEO, GROUND COMBAT SUPPORT SYSTEMS, ATTN: SFAE-GCSS, WARREN, Ml

PEO, INTELLIGENCE, ELECTRONIC WARFARE, AND SENSORS ATTN: SFAE-IEW, FORT MONMOUTH, NJ 07703

PEO, MISSILE DEFENSE, ATTN: SFAE-MD, P0 BOX 16686, ARLINGTON, VA 22215 PEO, STANDARD ARMY MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS, ATTN: SFAE-PS

PEO, TACTICAL MISSILES, ATTN: SFAE-MSL, REDSTONE ARSENAL, AL 35898 PEO, TACTICAL WHEELED VEHICLES, ATTN: SFAE-TWV, WARREN, MI