National Security Decision Directive 281

Date

August 21, 1987

Document

Description

US National Security Decision Directive 281, issued by Ronald Reagan, is a key document in the codification of presidential authority over nuclear weapons. The directive provides for “the basis for the attainment and maintenance of an assured, fully integrated, flexible, secure, responsive, and enduring nuclear command and control system (NCCS) that will provide [the President] in [his] role as Commander in Chief, with all capabilities required to exercise [his] authority and direction over nuclear weapon operations of military forces and all government activities and multinational activities that support those operations.”

Commentary

The purpose of the directive is given in the introduction:

In the past, policies concerning command and control for nuclear weapon operations have existed in various forms and places. This document is a codification of these policies into a comprehensive national nuclear command and control policy to ensure more effective command and control for nuclear weapon operations.

The directive codifies in no uncertain terms that the President of the United States is ultimately in charge of the direction and authority for nuclear forces.

Several sections have been redacted.

Citation

“United States Nuclear Weapons Command and Control,” National Security Decision Directive 281 (21 August 1987).

Provenance

National Security Archive, via the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security.

Topics

1980s | Directives | Nuclear safety | Presidential nuclear control | Reagan, Ronald | US Department of Defense | United States of America

Document entry started by Alex Wellerstein on May 16, 2018. Entry last updated by Mikael Kelly on October 13, 2018.