National Nuclear Security Administration Rapid Capabilities Development Office

(a) Repeal Section 4220 of the Atomic Energy Defense Act (50 U.S.C. 2538b) is repealed. (b) Assistant Deputy Administrator for Rapid Capabilities Development National Nuclear Security Administration Act (50 U.S.C. 2401 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end of subtitle A the following new section: 3223. Office of Rapid Capabilities Development (a) Establishment (1) In general There is established in the Administration an Office of Rapid Capabilities Development (referred to in this section as the Office), which shall be led by an Assistant Deputy Administrator for Rapid Capabilities Development (referred to in this section as the Assistant Deputy Administrator). (2) Assistant Deputy Administrator (A) Senior Executive Service The position of the Assistant Deputy Administrator shall be a Senior Executive Service position (as defined in section 3132(a) of title 5, United States Code). (B) Duties The Assistant Deputy Administrator shall report to the Board established under subsection (c). (b) Mission The primary objective of the Office shall be to expedite the development and fielding of technologies and weapon systems in support of United States strategic deterrence requirements, as determined by the President or the Secretary of Defense. In achieving this objective, the office shall— (1) leverage defense-wide and Administration technology development efforts and existing capabilities to achieve improved deterrence and operational effects; (2) provide integration and technical support to Department of Defense, the Administration, or other activities of the United States Government; (3) identify and pursue opportunities to accelerate operationally-focused capabilities through advanced prototyping; and (4) explore innovative, cost-effective material and non-material solutions to defeat rapidly-evolving nuclear and radiological threats. (c) Board of Directors (1) Composition The Office shall be governed by a Board of Directors of (referred to in this section as the Board), which shall be composed of the following members: (A) The Administrator. (B) The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Deterrence, Chemical and Biological Defense Policy and Programs. (C) The Deputy Commander of United States Strategic Command. (D) The Joint Staff Director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy (J5). (E) The Director of Navy Strategic Systems Programs. (F) The Deputy Commander of Air Force Global Strike Command. (2) Chair The Chair of the Board shall be the Administrator. (3) Organization and tasking (A) Operations The Board shall operate on a consensus basis and issue taskings directly to the Assistant Deputy Administrator as necessary to achieve the mission objectives outlined in subsection (b). (B) Submissions to Board (i) Submissions from the Assistant Deputy Administrator The Assistant Deputy Administrator may submit research and development proposals for Board consideration if such proposals support the mission objectives outlined in subsection (b). (ii) Submissions from Members Members of the Board may submit— (I) research and development proposals for Board consideration; and (II) proposals on behalf of organizations that are not members of the Board if such proposals support the mission objectives outlined in subsection (b). (d) Staff The Administrator shall ensure that the Assistant Deputy Administrator has sufficient numbers of personnel with competence in technical, programmatic, and other appropriate matters necessary to carry out the functions required by this section. (e) Rule of construction Nothing in this section shall be construed to obviate or otherwise alter the requirements for the development of new or modified nuclear weapons outlined by section 4209 of the Atomic Energy Defense Act (50 U.S.C. 2529). (f) Definitions In this section: (1) Administration The term Administration, with respect to any authority, duty, or responsibility provided by this section, does not include the Office of Naval Reactors. (2) Prototyping The term prototyping means the development of any physical or virtual model used to evaluate the technical or manufacturing feasibility or military utility of a technology, process, concept, end item, or system..