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Project on Advanced Systems and Concepts for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction

A missile system on a fighter jet.

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s (DTRA) Project on Advanced Systems and Concepts for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (PASCC) supports research activities that benefit the public through analysis and engagement to reduce and counter the threats posed by weapons of mass destruction and weapons of mass effect (WMD/WME). Additional priority areas that reflect the addition of the Joint Improvised Threat Defeat Organization (JIDO), which is now part of DTRA, are included.

PASCC seeks to:

  • Cultivate national and international research community partnerships across domains
  • Bring scientific, technical, and social science faculty/experts together
  • Look ahead to help understand and anticipate WMD/WME capabilities and threats
HISTORY AND MISSION

Established in 2011, PASCC plans and conducts research studies and strategic dialogues that support the mission of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) to counter the full spectrum of threats posed by weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and weapons of mass effect (WME). Until 2016, the PASCC program was administered out of the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey, California. The Naval Postgraduate School continues to retain a large archive of PASCC research papers and can be found on the NPS website. Many PASCC papers may also be accessed via the Homeland Security Digital Library.

GOVERNANCE

PASCC is directed by Dr. James Smith, INSS and PASCC Director, at the Institute for National Security Studies at the US Air Force Academy. PASCC governance includes a Senior Steering Group (SSG) that assists the PASCC Director in setting research priorities, and a Selection Committee that reviews and recommends selection of projects for funding.

PASCC STATUS UPDATE

The Project on Advanced Systems and Concepts for Countering WMD (PASCC) will no longer exist following the ongoing FY19 projects.  DTRA is reorganizing, and strategic research will have new and different priorities aligned with the new functions.  We expect that there will still be a few Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) research opportunities, but that these will have a modified focus from traditional PASCC research.  We will post updates at https://www.usafa.edu/research/research-centers/institute-national-security-studies/ when decisions are final.

RESEARCH IN PROGRESS

CONTACT

If you have any questions about the submission process, please don’t hesitate to contact INSS at (719) 333-2717 or INSS@usafa.edu.  The INSS/PASCC director may be reached at (719) 333-7144.