AFI91-106 — Unauthorized Launch, Threat Mitigation, And Launch Action Studies

AFI91-106 governs Unauthorized Launch, Threat Mitigation, and Launch Action Studies and assignment limitations for personnel with report access.

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  • Publication number: AFI91-106
  • Title: UNAUTHORIZED LAUNCH, THREAT MITIGATION, AND LAUNCH ACTION STUDIES
  • Date: 2023-04-20

View AFI91-106 on armypubs.army.mil


AFI91-106 establishes processes for planning, executing, safeguarding, and tracking these studies and their reports. It requires identifying, documenting, and tracking personnel involved in the program and protecting study information.

Applies to: This instruction applies to all civilian employees and uniformed members of the Regular Air Force, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard. This instruction also applies to contractor personnel supporting Air Force nuclear weapon system programs.

Topics covered

  • Unauthorized Launch Studies
  • Threat Mitigation Program
  • Launch Action Studies
  • Launch Activation Path
  • nuclear surety vulnerabilities
  • assignment limitations
  • study report protection

Questions and answers

What is the purpose of an Unauthorized Launch Study?

Unauthorized Launch Studies are conducted to identify vulnerable areas in a system that an agent or agents could exploit in a covert or overt fashion, with or without authorized access, and to bypass the nuclear safety and security features of a nuclear weapon system.

What can happen if an Unauthorized Launch Study report is inadequate?

Failure to prepare a satisfactory ULS report may delay weapon system deployment or modification, or may allow nuclear weapon system vulnerabilities to remain unmitigated.

What does the Threat Mitigation Program identify?

The goals of a TMP is to identify potential mitigators and determine which potential mitigators most effectively reduce the overall risk to nuclear surety due to the identified vulnerabilities.

What does a Launch Activation Path describe?

The LAP is a system model that describes actions and processes associated with weapon system authorization and launch functions, including the flow of energy and information to affect a launch or release.

How are Launch Activation Paths used?

The LAP is used to identify weapon system components that are likely targets for attack.

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