The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has established the Advisory Committee for Nuclear Security to advise senior agency leaders.
Formerly known as the Defense Programs Advisory Committee, the new Advisory Committee for Nuclear Security (ACNS) enlists experts with knowledge that spans the full range of NNSA missions to provide independent advice and recommendations to NNSA leadership.
The old Defense Programs Advisory Committee was narrowly focused on the agency’s nuclear-weapons programs, according to its charter. NNSA is the semiautonomous Department of Energy agency responsible for nuclear weapons.
NNSA said in a statement April 7 the ACNS will provide insight on the stewardship and modernization of the nation’s nuclear stockpile and enterprise, nuclear nonproliferation and arms control, and counterterrorism and counterproliferation.
The panel will help the NNSA “critically examine programs and strategies in an evolving international security environment,” the agency said in its statement.
“As the only place in government where the complementary missions of nuclear deterrence, arms control, and nonproliferation meet to advance our national security, NNSA will benefit from independent evaluation and advice to enhance innovation, collaboration, and action central to the ACNS charter,” the NNSA said.
A version of this story first appeared in Defense Daily affiliate publication Weapons Complex Morning Briefing.