A report from a Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory center says the two-peer problem posed by Russia and China calls for the U.S. to reassess its nuclear deterrence strategy and practices.

The study from LLNL’s Center for Global Security Research outlines about 60 recommendations across the areas of nuclear deterrence strategy, strategic nuclear forces, extended deterrence, hedging, force survivability, arms control strategy and strategic communications, the national lab said Tuesday.

According to the paper, the emergence of China as a second nuclear peer calls for the U.S. to conduct a comprehensive and deep review of its nuclear policy and strategy “with a sense of urgency” and initiate steps to address the erosion of assurance and deterrence.

Other recommendations in the report are maintaining the nuclear triad; demonstrating the ability to upload intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles and bombers; recognizing the continued role of hedging and risk management in U.S. nuclear strategy; ensuring the promised availability of the F-35 aircraft for the nuclear mission in 2024; and planning for the early integration of the B-21 bomber into U.S. Air Force deterrence operations.

“This paper will go a long way toward helping people think through this challenge and the next steps to be taken,” said Mike Albertson, CGSR deputy director and a member of the study group.

The U.S. Navy’s Aircrew Systems program office is fielding a new commercial off-the-shelf headgear that provides impact and hearing protection for U.S. Marine Corps aviation maintainers.

The Exfil Light Tactical Polymer helmet from Team Wendy is available in two sizes with an alternate, adjustable H-shaped back retention system and features two different styles of hearing protection, both rail-mounted to the headgear, Naval Air Systems Command said Tuesday.

“Through research, test and fleet assessments, our team was able to determine the best possible solution for improved head and hearing protection, taking into account cost, performance and user feedback,” said Jennifer Bartnick, team lead of PMA-202.

The office also incorporated feedback from squadrons that received the Head Gear Unit Number 98/Personal Use flight deck helmet system in October 2022.

Fielding of the new headgear will continue through the end of the year, while upgraded units will be delivered beginning in 2024.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has issued a paper detailing its strategy and vision for a national center that seeks to strengthen U.S. leadership and competitiveness in semiconductor research, engineering, design and manufacturing in accordance with the CHIPS and Science Act.

The strategy paper outlines the three goals of the National Semiconductor Technology Center. The first is extending U.S. leadership in semiconductor technology through tech design and prototyping efforts, NIST said Tuesday.

The other two goals are reducing the time and cost of transitioning design concepts to commercialization and building and sustaining a semiconductor workforce development ecosystem.

“The NSTC will be an ambitious public-private consortium where government, industry, customers, suppliers, educational institutions, entrepreneurs, and investors will come together to innovate, connect, and solve problems,” said Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

The center will help facilitate access to process technologies and emerging materials, chiplet stockpile, design tools and digital assets and provide incubation support for startups and opportunity to take part in technical exchange, road mapping, industry grand challenges and workforce training programs.