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

Abstract : Since 2012, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) has sponsored the Project onAdvanced Systems and Concepts for Countering WMD (PASCC) at the Naval PostgraduateSchool (NPS) in Monterey, California. PASCCs mission is to support DTRA by selecting a portfolio of strategic dialogues and studies to provide over-the-horizon analysis aimed at reducing the threats posed by weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and emerging weapons of mass effect (WME). PASCC is also interested in new means of supporting strategic stability and regional security in regard to WMD/WME, as well as mechanisms for increasing the effectiveness of both deterrence and nonproliferation/arms control efforts. The dialogues and studies PASCC supports are of direct value to the U.S. government and the broader public. PASCC reports are widely available through its website as well as the NPS sponsored Homeland Security Digital Library (www.hsdl.org). PASCC also facilitates briefings by project performers at events it organizes twice a year in Washington, DC, as well as assisting in setting up direct meetings with interested government stakeholders responsible for WMD/WME policies. The positive feedback PASCC receives from a variety of stakeholders stems from the thoroughness of its products, their objectivity, and their relevance to current and futureWMD/WME threats and challenges.PASCC sponsors innovative studies by working with a diverse set of research partners. The annual merit-based, peer-review process for selecting projects ensures that DTRA and other stakeholders benefit from the most rigorous research by the best subject matter experts (SMEs) in the field. In FY15, in accordance with the PASCC Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) released the previous spring, PASCC made 27 project awards to a variety of research performers.