[Epic] Silo crews

From: Brian Douglas <bdouglas_at_...>
Date: Wed, 28 May 1997 15:07:30 PDT

Dear All,
Sorry if this is off thread but its bugging me.

AFAIK Silo control rooms are sealed with a single door, no windows, 2
operators sitting say 10' apart, each with a pistol. The 10' gap is so
it takes both crew to turn their keys simultaneously to launch their
missile.

Why the pistols?

1) Renegade Op A tries to launch the missile and shoots first killing
Op B. As he can't turn the keys he can't launch. Hooray. A triumph for
the system.
2) Pacifist Op A refuses to launch when given the code to. Op B shoots
Op A for disobeying orders (that'll teach him!). Op B is still stuck
with the problem of trying to launch.

This was just one comment that came up in a silly converstation about
working in a Silo, and I may be completely wrong about how they're set
up but maybe someone could shed some light?

(BTW Apparently during arms reduction talks Pres. Gorbachev had to
explain to Pres. Reagan that once launched the missiles couldn't be
recalled like bombers. Can you imagine trying to back a hovering ICBM
into a silo? 8)

Cheers

Brian
Received on Wed May 28 1997 - 22:07:30 UTC