Sec. 215.1  Background.

    (a) The nuclear electromagnetic pulse (EMP) is part of the complex 
environment produced by nuclear explosions. It consists of transient 
voltages and currents which can cause malfunctioning and serious damage 
to electrical and electronic equipment.
    (b) The Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA) is the overall technical 
coordinator for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and DOE laboratories on 
matters concerning nuclear weapons, nuclear weapons effects, and nuclear 
weapons testing. It acts as the focal point between the service 
laboratories and other agencies. The National Communications System 
(NCS), with the Defense Communications Agency (DCA), maintains a data 
base for telecommunications. DCA also provides the primary capability 
for the NCS to conduct telecommunications survivability studies for 
civil and military departments and agencies.
    (c) In order to disseminate among affected Federal agencies 
information concerning the telecommunications effects of EMP and 
available protective measures, and in order to avoid duplication of 
research efforts, it is desirable to designate a focal point within the 
Federal Government for telecommunications EMP matters.