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Was it really possible that the fuel explosion could have also detonated the warhead? I was under the impression that these nukes had fusing apparatus that made
by samfriedman 9y ago
Was it really possible that the fuel explosion could have also detonated the warhead? I was under the impression that these nukes had fusing apparatus that made it difficult/impossible for them to detonate if not explicitly armed and in the correct scenario.
- avn2109 9y agoActually one of the books written about that incident, "Command and Control," has a lot of interesting detail about the different types of warhead fusing schemes that were implemented at various times. I can't remember which fusing system was on that warhead (though the book describes it in detail) but I think it was one of the more sophisticated kinds than the simple "one point safety" fuses and that the warhead was basically never in danger of exploding.
- russdill 9y agoReally the fastest way to disarm a nuclear weapon is to blow it up.
- AstralStorm 9y agoRisky if you do not want to be blown up too or at least irradiated. Decommissioning does involve removal of nuclear material first. Missile fuel is likely burned up as it is highly toxic.
- russdill 9y agoYes, you'd create a mess (understatement), but there isn't risk of a nuclear detonation.