DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

OFFICE OF TH E C HIEF 0 1' N A VAL O P ER ATI O NS

2000 NAV Y PENTAGON
WASHINGT O N. D.C. 2 0 3'0-2000

N4
01 J u n 2010
OPNAV INSTRUCTION 4855.1A
From: Chief of Naval Operations
Subj, POLICY, PROCEDURES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR NAVY NUCLEAR
WEAPONS STOCKPILE EVALUATION AND RELIABILITY ASSESSMENT
Ref: (a) SECNAVINST 8120.1
(b) Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of
Defense and Department of Energy for Nuclear Weapons
Subsystem Test Plan (NWSSTP) Program of 8 Aug 83
(NOTAL)
(e ) Special Weapons Ordnance Publication (SWQP) 40-2,
General Information on the Navy Nuclear Weapons
Stockpile Evaluation and Reliability Assessment
(SEARA) Program of 2 Mar 2009 (NOTAL)
1 . Purpose
a. To define the Department of the Navy (DON) policy
regarding responsibilities, authorities, and accountability for
the Navy Nuclear Weapons (NW) Stockpile Evaluation and
Reliability Assessment (SEARA) Program for the Tomahawk Land
Attack Missile-Nuclear (TLAM-N) and the Nuclear Tomahawk Weapons
System (NTWS).
b . To delineate the actions required when testing indicates
deficiencies that affect or could affect stockpile reliability.
c. To support reference (a) and implement references (b )
through (c ) .
2. Cancellation. OPNAVINST F48SS . 1 .
3. Scope. This instruction applies to all U.S . Navy commands,
activities, units, and forces that have roles and
responsibilities supporting the Navy NW SEARA Program for the
TLAM-N and the NTWS . All entities will issue formal direction
to implement guidance provided in this instruction.
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0 1 J un 20 10
4. Summary of Changes. This instruction was updat ed to
incorporate the recent changes of reference (a ) .
5. Background
a. The DON/ Department of Energy (DOE ) initiated NW testing
and evaluation in May 1961 by exercising the memorandum of
understanding (MOU) between the DON and the Atomic Energy
Commission (AEC) . In November 1964, the DON and AEC established
the Joint NW Quality Assurance Service Test (QAST) Flight Test
Program for the tactical weapons systems. In February 1968, the
DON and the AEC established the NW Stockpile Reliability
Assessment Program (RAP) . RAP provides the sharing of test
data, analysis, and reporting regarding the quality and
reliability of the NW stockpile.
b. The SEARA Program, formerly the RAP, provides the Navy
with current and comprehensive information on the quality,
reliability, and safety of the TLAM-N, the W80 Mod 0 (W80-0)
warhead and the NTWS. The SEARA Program, using laboratory and
flight test programs, recommends actions to ensure reliability
and safety of these same systems.
6. Policy
a. The SEARA Program will provide current and comprehensive
information on the reliability and safety of the TLAM-N and the
NTWS. The information wi l l expedite implementation and
completion of corrective actions when deficiencies are
identified.
b. Fleet commanders and their subordinates, as well as the
Program Executive Officer, Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons
( PEO (U&W) shall meet the requirements of the nuclear weapons
subsystem test plan (NWSSTP ) process as defined in reference
(b ) , which makes operational the SEARA Program as defined in
reference (c ) .
7. Objectives. The SEARA Program will:
a. Provide current NW and NW system reliability and safety
information.
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b . Predict weapons system performance and reliability from
design, storage, handling, and maintenance, as well as
evaluation of data analysis from laboratory and flight testing.
c. Ensure compatibility between the weapon and weapon
system delivery hardware, software, documentation, and
procedures.
d. Provide operational and test data to help the fleet
evaluate and refine its training programs, weapon delivery
tactics, and weapon delivery system.
e. Examine, exercise, and refine command and control
systems and safety and security devices designed into NW and NW
systems.
8. Responsibilities
a. Director, Navy Staff (DNS). DNS is responsible for
coordinating all the Office of Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV)
responsibilities for NW activities. DNS shall chair and be
supported in this responsibility by the OPNAV Nuclear Weapons
Council (ONWC ) and the Senior Leadership Oversight Council
(SLOe). Specific to the SEARA Program, the ONWC and SLOC shall:
( 1 ) Ensure Navy compliance with established DON and
Department of Defense (000) NW and NW systems stockpile safety
and reliability policy.
(2 ) Coordinate all OPNAV staff responsibilities for the
SEARA Program.
(3) Direct action to resolve SEARA Program policy and
oversight issues identified by internal and external Navy
inspections, assessments, and reports.
(4) Coordinate with the Deputy Commander, u.s. Fleet
Forces Command (USFLTFORCOM)i the Deputy Commander, u . s. Pacific
Fleet; the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy
(Research, Development and Acquisition) ; and Assistant Secretary
of the Navy ( Installations and Environment ) to strengthen ties
between the Navy Secretariat and OPNAV regarding
policy/ oversight functions as they relate to fleet / NW systems
program operations/ material support functions.
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( 5 ) Coordinate with the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations
( Integration of Capabilities and Resources) (CNO N8) Resources
and Requirements Review Board and the Deputy Chief of Naval
Operations (Information Dominance ) (CNO N2 / N6) I n formation
Technology Management Council to resolve SEARA Program
requirements and resource issues.
b. The Deputy Chief of Naval Operations ( Fleet Readiness
and Logistics ) (CNO N4) . CNO N4 is the DON echelon 1 supported
flag officer (FO) responsible for t he TLAM-N SEARA Program. CNO
N4 shall:
(1 ) Promulgate Navy policy regarding the SEARA Program
and its use to ensure reliability and safety of TLAM-N and NTWS.
(2) Serve as the DON principa l point of contact for
organizations external to the Navy for matters concerning the
SEARA Program.
(3 ) Serve as a permanent observer and adviser to the
Nuclear Weapons Subsystem Test Plan Group (NWSSTPG) .
(4 ) Review the NWSSTP, reliability and stockpile quality
reports, and the DOE National Nuclear Security Administrat i on
(NNSA) reports .
(5 ) Di sseminate inf ormation regarding the SEARA Program
to all stakeholders including, but not limited to : OPNAV staff;
Commander, USFLTFORCOM and Commander, u.s. Pacific Fleet
(COMPACFLT ) ; PEO (U&W) ; Director, Strategic Systems Programs
(DIRSSP) ; Defense Threat Reduction Agency; Joint Chiefs of
Staff; Office of the Secretary of Defense; and DOE/ NNSA.
(6) Provide assessment and r e source sponsorship for
TLAM-N air vehicle integrated logistics support (ILS) and
weapons systems support through Operations and Maintenance Navy
(O&MN) funding which includes the SEARA Program.
c. eNO NB. CNO NB is the DON echelon 1 supported FO for
allocation of resources for submersible ship nuclear (SSN)
weapon control and weapon launching systems and the NW system
from research and development through production .
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d. Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Operations, Plans and
CNO N3/N5 is the DON echelon 1 supported
FO responsible for the operational status of Navy NW and NW
systems forces. CNO N3 / NS shall:
(1) Serve as DON policy subject matter expert for the
Joint Test Policy Review Group for the NWSSTP.
(2) Resolve, upon request from the other Military
Services or from lower echelon commands, the funding
requirements to provide salvage operations when a test weapon is
lost during an exercise and recovery is required .
e. USFLTFORCOM and COMPACFLT. USFLTFORCOM and COMPACFLT
are the DON echelon 2 supported commanders responsible for the
safe, secure, and reliable technical operation and maintenance
of fielded NW and NW systems under their cognizance.
USFLTFORCOM and COMPACFLT shall:
(1) Provide representatives to NWSSTPG meetings.
(2) Develop and submit to the NWSSTPG operational
schedules reflecting all fleet activities necessary to support
the SEARA Program including, but not limited to, firing tests,
reviews, and evaluations.
(3) Schedule and deploy firing platforms and other fleet
resources as necessary to support the SEARA Program. Resolves
range support services resource issues with PEO(U&W) .
(4) Inform the NWSSTPG of any failure to adhere to the
schedules delineated in the previous two paragraphs.
(5) Assign the officer conducting exercise to enact each
QAST operation.
f. DIRSSP . DIRSSP is the DON echelon 2 supported FO and
technical authority for the TLAM-N warhead and responsible for
inventory control and accountability of all Navy NW related
material and:
(1) Provides support service logistics agent directed
movements of NW test assets to support the SEARA Program.
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(2) Is responsible for custody, control, and
accountability of all TLAM-N material located at Strategic
Systems Programs' (SSP) facilities.
(3) Is responsible for all maintenance operations on
TLAM-N air vehicles at SS P facil ities .
(4) Is responsible for oversight and adherence to all
PEO (U&W) technical requirements in support of maintaining the
TLAM-N NW system.
(5) Executes the above responsibilities through a MOU
between DIRSSP and PEO (U&W) .
g . PED (U&W) . PEO (U&W) is the supporting FO to DIRSSP
responsible for program management, technical operations, and
ILS for the Tomahawk weapons system, the Tomahawk nuclear
program, and the Tomahawk air vehicle . PED (U&W) shall:
(Il Execute the MOU wit h DOE/ NNSA for the operation of
the SEARA program on behalf of the DON .
(2) Provide acquisition support and life- cycle
management for as s i gned weapons systems .
(3) Designate the Navy chair to the NWSSTPG.
(4) Provide Navy members to NWSSTPG meetings.
(5) Establish and ensure execution of detailed SEARA
operating procedures per reference (cl .
(6) PEO (U&W), in conjunc ti on wi th DIRSSP, shall :
(al Analyze DoD and DOE test results, including all
post-test reports, and provide an independent assessment of
overall weapons systems reliability for United States Strategic
Command .
(b) Inform eNO N4 of analysis and recommendations
for resolving deficiencies ident if ied during SEARA testing .
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(c ) Coordinate with CNO N4 to ensure that the ONWC
and the SLOC have the most current information, including, but
not limited to, information contained in the reliability and
stockpile quality reports and DOE/NNSA reports.
(d ) Ensure that the following reliability and
stockpile quality reports are completed and forwarded to CNO N4 .
1. QAST Mission Firing Plan (MFP) . Issued at
least 1 month pr10r to the QAST field exercise. The MFP
documents the test planning for conduct of the QAST . It
p r ovides detailed guidance and i nstructions to the e x ercise
participants .
2 . QAST Quicklook Message Report. A message
report, issued by on-site Navy representatives at the QAST
exercise location within 24 hours of the exercise . The message
provides preliminary QAST exercise status information. For
joint flight tests, the on-site DOE representative will provide
DOE reportable data to the Navy for the quicklook report .
3. QAST Firing Report . Issued 60 days after
the QAST exercise and provides the details and results of the
test.
4 . Failure Analysis Reports. Issued on an as-
required basis on the failure analysis of components from the
NWSSTP testing program.
S. TLAM-N Evaluation Report . An annual report
that provides estimates of weapons systems reliability and
weapons systems accuracy planning factors for the use of
tactical operations planners.
(e) Coordinate with DOE/ NNSA to ensure the following
reports are completed and submitted to CNO N4 :
1. waD-o i l System Reliability Assessment
Report. A biennial report providing an updated reliability
assessment for the waD warhead.
Cycle Report .
results of all
2. Stockpile Evaluation Program Report, WaD
An annual report containing the description and
tests conducted during the test cycle.
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Significant defects which were observed and their effect on the
reliability assessment are discussed, and future test plans are
described.
(f) Chair semi-annual meetings with the Tomahawk
Nuclear Program Integrated Product Team.
9. Records Management. Records created by this instruction,
regardless of media, shall be managed per Secretary of the Navy
Manual (M-)5210.1 of November 2007.
10. Reports Control. The reporting requirements contained
within this instruction are exempt from reports control per
SECNAV M-S214.1 of December 2005.
Distribution:
W. R. BURKE
Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy
Deputy Chief of Naval Operations
(Fleet Readiness and Logistics)
Electronic only, via Department of the Navy Issuances Web site
http://doni.daps . dla.mil
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